BY Jack Cunningham
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Vanarama National League North
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Leamington 2-0 Blyth Spartans
Blyth Spartans’ wait for a first league win continues as Lee Clark’s men were beaten 2-0 by Leamington.
The game was finely poised until Olly Scott was adjudged to have fouled Josh March and the striker stepped up to slam his penalty past Mark Foden.
March then doubled his tally 10 minutes later – as Blyth failed to deal with a corner and the loose ball was tucked home by March.
Blyth pushed to respond, but they could not find a way through Leamington’s defence.
Blyth replaced Nathan Harker in goal with Foden. Callum Roberts also made his debut.
The visitors started the better of the two sides and could have taken the lead on nine minutes.
Roberts created space for Adam Wrightson who played Scott in, but Jake Weaver smothered his shot.
This was, unfortunately, the only clear-cut chance Spartans created all afternoon and Leamington should have taken the lead before half time.
First, Kieran Dunbar somehow headed wide of the far post from about six yards out and then just three minutes later, a massive scramble in the box led to the ball dropping just wide of Foden’s post.
Callum Gittings then supplied March with a superb delivery, but he could only direct his headed effort over the bar – with Foden well beaten.
Blyth had a few chances on the counter, but their final ball let them down.
The second half started very slowly until March got the better of Scott on the left and the 18-year-old pulled his man to the ground, and the referee pointed to the spot.
March dusted himself off and smashed his penalty into the top corner.
Clark responded by bringing on Scott Fenwick and Michael Sweet, but it was Leamington who looked the more threatening, and they doubled their lead soon after.
A corner was not cleared properly, and there was March to tap the ball in.
Once hosts scored their second, the game fizzled out, and Blyth did not create another chance of note.
Blyth now travel to Darlington to face former manager Alun Armstrong knowing that they need to start winning games of football.
Leamington: Weaver, Keane, Lane, Mace, Carline, Gittings, Clarke, Dunbar, Edwards, Anderson, March (Taylor, 77). Subs not used: Shamsi, Mussa, Hood.
Goals: March (63, 74).
Blyth Spartans: Foden, Evans, Scott, Devitt, Ritson (Orrell, 83), Mason, Wrightson (Fenwick, 66), Robson, Mouanda, Roberts, Dale (Sweet, 66). Subs not used: Horner, Harker.