Report by Phil Castiaux
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Colwyn Bay 1 – 3 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division
Saturday, 17th October 2015
Llanelian Road
Attendance: 234
Blyth travelled to Wales on Saturday on the back of only three wins out of 16 games there. However the last time they took on Colwyn Bay away from home, in 2012, they ran out 2-0 winners.
Spartans’ manager Tom Wade had to select from a squad missing the injured midfielder Stephen Turnbull.
Blyth started brightly and in only the third minute determined work by Cartwright gave Matty Wade the chance to shoot from eight yards but his shot was parried away by Louis Gray in the Bay goal. An early intervention by Gray who was in for a busy day.
Indeed a minute later he was called on to hold, albeit with some ease, a Paul Robinson 30 yard effort. After 15 minutes Jordan Watson surged down Blyth’s left flank beating three opposition players in the process, only to see Gray pluck his cross out of the air with Maguire lurking.
Blyth continued to press with Robbie Dale twice firing over. Colwyn only had midfielders Michael Brewster and captain Robbie Booth offering any threat to the visitors’ domination.
It seemed only a matter of time till Blyth took the lead and they came close when Robinson drove in a stinging shot which was goal bound until deflected wide and then Maguire appeared to have been pushed in the box but referee Lamb waved play on.
Unbelievably Colwyn took the lead with five minutes of the half remaining. A cross from the right fell to Zac Corbett at the far post and he sent a scorching shot high in to the Blyth net past Otte’s right hand.
Blyth started the second half as they had the first – on the offensive with Gray in the action again palming away Cartwright’s dangerous cross.
The hosts then went on to have their best, although short-lived, spell in the game. Booth powered forward and found Corbett on the edge of Blyth’s penalty box but he could only fire over. Soon afterwards John Marsden was free on the edge of the box but drove just wide of Otte’s right hand post.
From that point, 15 minutes in to the second half, the Spartans went on to boss the game. Robinson shot straight at Gray and Nicholson (on for the injured Watson) shot wide. Blyth then substituted Neal Hooks for Sean Reid.
Blyth got their just deserts when after 68 minutes a Robinson free kick fell, after a six yard box melee, to Danny Parker who forced the ball over the line from close range.
The Spartans brought Michael Richardson on for Aaron Wearmouth after 78 minutes and he was to prove to be a match winner.
With ten minutes remaining a typical Cartwright forceful run, this time drifting past two defenders, found Richardson just inside the penalty box in a central position. Without hesitation he swept the ball up and over the defence and into the top corner of Gray’s goal to put Blyth 2-1 up.
Reid then came close to extending the lead but the busy Gray saved his header well. Blyth were not finished and a measured ball from Dale found Richardson on the right. His first and second shots were blocked by Gray before he delivered the killer punch at the third attempt to seal a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory for Blyth.
TEAMS
Colwyn Bay: 1. Louis Gray, 2. Shaun Dowling, 3. Mike Lea, 4. Sam Barnes, 5. Rob Hopley, 6. Mike Brewster, 7. Joe Newton (Lloyd Ellams 85), 8. Robbie Booth (capt), 9. Cory Williams (Kevin Holsgrove 62), 10. John Marsden , 11. Zac Corbett (Glenn Matthews 69).
Subs: 12. Gareth Rees, 14. Luke Denson. Goalscorer: Zac Corbett.
Colwyn Bay star man: Robbie Booth.
Blyth Spartans: 1. Fabian Otte. 2. Andrew Cartwright, 3. Jordan Watson (Alex Nicholson 60), 4. Dillon Morse, 5. Danny Parker, 6. Neal Hooks (Sean Reid 67), 7. Aaron Wearmouth (Michael Richardson 78), 8. Paul Robinson, 9. Daniel Maguire, 10. Matthew Wade, 11. Robert Dale (capt).
Subs: 12. Ashley Davis, 14. Damen Mullen. Goalscorers: Parker (68), Richardson (80 and 89).
Blyth Spartans star man: Andrew Cartwright.
Entertainment rating: 4/5.
Referee: Barry Lamb, Assistants: Stephen Howard, Martin Howe