A first-half brace from Olly Martin fired Blyth Spartans into the FA Cup First Qualifying Round with a 2-1 victory over Morpeth Town at Croft Park.

Spartans hit the front after just six minutes following an excellent team move. Jack Foalle delivered towards Paul Van-Zandvliet at the back post, who headed across goal for Martin to emphatically volley into the roof of the net.

Blyth remained firmly in control, with Foalle seeing a low effort cleared off the line before narrowly missing from Jordan Summerly’s first-time delivery on the half-hour mark.

Martin grabbed his and Spartans’ second three minutes before the interval. A poor Morpeth back-pass was pounced upon by the winger, who raced clear and coolly slotted beyond Dan Langley into the bottom corner.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 2-0 Morpeth Town

Spartans picked up where they left off after the restart, Martin releasing Dan Lanning in behind, only for his effort to drift inches wide.

Marc Nash’s side controlled the majority of the second period and looked set for a clean sheet until Harry Gardiner pulled one back for Morpeth in stoppage time.

It proved merely a consolation, however, as Spartans saw out the remaining moments to book their place in the next round.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 2-1 Morpeth Town

Blyth Spartans

Goals - Martin 6', 42'

Assists - Van-Zandvliet 6'

Morpeth Town

Goals - Gardiner 90'

Referee - Charlie Armstrong

Spartans next game is against Consett at the Belle View Stadium on Tuesday 25 August with a 19:45 kick off.

Match photos

A selection of match action images by Paul Scott.