Emley AFC v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 14 February 2026 - 15:00 | League

Spartans were defeated at the death in West Yorkshire after a penalty was awarded to Emley well into added time, and Gabriel Johnson dispatched it from 12 yards to break Blyth hearts after deserving at least a point away from home in the NPL East.

Blyth started well on the front foot and were imposing themselves on the Pewits with quick, direct play on both wings and a real impetus to start fast to pen the hosts back, and it worked for the first 45 minutes.

Spartans had some good opportunities and looked dangerous every time they went forward with willing runners everywhere, causing problems for Emley. When Blyth got in the box, that was the issue. The final action wasn't there with Paul Van-Zandvliet's touch loose in the box on the half-hour mark, allowing the hosts to clear, which was the Spartans' best chance to go in front in the half.

Two minutes later, Callum Dobson had to chest it away outside his box to stop Emley's first real opportunity of the match. From that defensive action, the ball went straight up the other end, where Michael Fowler rounded keeper Declan Lambton, but Lambton did well to force the striker wide to not be able to get a shot off. Fowler still retained the ball, but he had no support, resulting in the opportunity coming to nothing.

Half time: Emley 0-0 Blyth Spartans

In the second half, Emley woke up and started to play one-touch stuff and ramped up the pressure on the Spartans, but the visitors defended valiantly to withstand the pressure.

Dobson was a lot busier in the second half and had to make two important saves, one down to his left that was eventually cleared and one diving to his right to tip it out for a corner in the space of four minutes, with over thirty minutes to go. Emley were starting to gain momentum and were on the front foot, looking for that crucial opening goal.

The game looked like it was petering out similarly to the game at Croft Park as the game reached added time, but a questionable penalty was given in the latter stages when Blyth captain Jack Vaulks supposedly handballed an effort from Emley when blocking a shot from the edge of the box, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Johnson converted the penalty past Dobson, with virtually the last kick of the game sealing the win for Emley, leaving Spartans pointless against one of the better sides in the NPL East for the second game in a row.

Full time: Emley 1-0 Blyth Spartans

Blyth Spartans - 66' On: Clark, Off: Downey, 74' On: Kinniburgh, Off: Wood, 80' On: Kidd, Off: Joisce, 84' On: Dudgeon, Off: Fowler, 87' On: Anderson, Off: Foalle

Yellow Cards - Simpson 30', Foalle 35', Van-Zandvliet 48', Wood 57', Kinniburgh 75', Joisce 78' & Anderson 94'

Emley - 46' On: Hanson, Off: Mampala, 79' On: Rodrigues, Off: Barks, 83' On: Clegg, Off: Dawson, 89' On: Sorhaindo, Off: Thompson

Goals - Gabriel Johnson (P) 95'

Yellow cards - Lambton 74'

Referee - Ronan Coller-Booth