Blyth Spartans v Emley AFC | Saturday, 18 October 2025 - 15:00 | League

An improved Spartans were held off by playoff-chasing Emley in a strong display at Croft Park yesterday.

The visitors had a great chance in the first few minutes through Manasse Mampala, who had caught the Spartans' defence cold, but his shot off his weak foot flew straight over the bar.

After that early opportunity from the Pewits, it woke Blyth up, and they started to move the ball well in Emley's half and had put the visitors on the back foot, but the end product just wasn't there.

The Pewits had another great chance just before half-time with striker Jaanai Gordon, but Callum Dobson stood strong to deny his shot from point-blank range.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Emley AFC

Spartans started the second half well, continuing on from the first half. New signing Jeremy Perera put Declan Lambton under a bit of pressure when his clipped pass caught the goalkeeper out, which put Benji Shodeinde in behind, but unfortunately, he couldn't connect with the ball.

Only a few minutes later came Blyth's best chance of the game. A corner was whipped in and knocked down in front of Kyle Downey, who drilled his shot, aiming for the bottom right corner, but the shot just went past the post.

Spartans were really ramping up the pressure on Emley's defence in the final period of the game, and it felt like a goal would come, and it nearly did in the final few minutes, but Lambton again in goal pulled off another great save to deny Blyth and keep the scores level.

Although Blyth played well, they just didn't have enough to get past Lambton in goal, but it was an important point for Colin Myers's side against good opposition and hopefully a building block for future matches.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Emley AFC

Blyth Spartans Subs: On: 81' Dan Maw, Off: Benji Shodeinde

Yellow Cards: 42' Andy Evans & 79' Benji Shodeinde

Spartans are back in action on Tuesday night as we welcome Matlock Town to Croft Park for a 7:45pm KO.