
Blyth Spartans
0

Stockton Town
Fowler (83')
1
Tuesday 4 February 2025 7:45PM
League
Attendance: 438
Blyth Spartans v Stockton Town | Saturday, 11 January 2025 - 15:00 | League

A battling Blyth Spartans fell to a narrow defeat thanks to a wonder goal from Stockton's Michael Fowler.
Fowler, a first half substitute, fired an unstoppable dipping strike from 30 yards 10 minutes from time, with Spartans unable to respond.
Going into the game, Blyth welcomed skipper Nicky Deverdics and forward Harry Gardiner back into the starting line up after long injury absences.
The visitors had the first sight of goal within the opening minute as Adam Nicholson headed a corner into the arms of Ollie Basey.
Spartans had a good spell of possession which saw Dean Briggs free on right, but his cross was well dealt with. The ball eventually found its way to Deverdics whose long-range strike flew harmlessly wide.
Stockton had a great chance to take the lead on the quarter hour as former Spartan Josh Scott was played through on goal, only for Dan Myers to get back brilliantly to deny him with last ditch tackle.
Five minutes later, some nervy defending gave Scott an opportunity as he beat Basey to the ball, but fortunately for Blyth no Stockon players read it and the ball trickled harmlessly across goal before being cleared.
Blyth's best chance came on the half hour mark, a long ball was flicked on by JJ Hooper to Gardiner, who quickly played in Dean Briggs but he couldn't keep his shot down from the edge of the box.
The half continued in a scrappy manner with very little in terms of goalmouth action, although Stockton did threaten with a couple of set pieces at the close of the half which Spartans managed to deal with.
Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Stockton Town

The early stages of the second half were much of the same as Stockton started brighter, but they weren't able to threaten Basey's goal.
There was little of note from either side, with Spartans best openings coming from a dangerous cross from Joe Oliver then a counter attack led by Giraud who tried to play in the fullback through on goal, but neither found their targets.
But on 68 minutes Blyth had the best chance of the half. Substitute Charlie Aitken did brilliantly to chase down a ball out wide, he drove to the byline and cut the ball back to Briggs who pulled his shot narrowly wide of the target.
A few minutes later Spartans went close again as Hooper rose highest to meet Briggs' corner, only to see his header fizz wide of the post.
Blyth looked like they were starting to gain confidence, as the striker then went close again a few moments later. The impressive Aitken drove in a low cross that Hooper just couldn't quite get enough on to divert over the line.
But even as Blyth looked more likely to score going into the final 10 minutes, it was Stockton who took the lead, and it was in spectacular fashion. The ball broke to Fowler turned and fired a brilliant dipping strike from distance that flew past Basey into the top corner.
Spartans pushed for a leveller and within the dying moments could have had it. Deverdics curled in a great cross that found the unmarked Hooper, but his mistimed his jump and couldn't get enough on his header to trouble the keeper.
Full time: Blyth Spartans 0-1 Stockton Town.

Blyth Spartans - Basey, Oliver, Myers, Richardson, Ridley, Almond, Giraud, Briggs, Hooper, Gardiner (Aitken 63'), Deverdics
Subs not used - Constantin, Dixon, Burke, Griggs
Stockton Town - Harker, Baggs, Purewal (Roberts 76'), King, Nicholson (C), Coulthard, Butterworth, Painter, Scott (Fowler 33'), Sweet (Thompson 63'), Hayes
Subs not used - Gallacher, Leech
Goals - Fowler (83')
Referee - Matthew East
Spartans next game is against Leek Town at Croft Park on 8th February with a 3pm kick off.
Match photos
A selection of match action images by Paul Lynch.














Written by Stephen Burton
Photographs by Paul Scott