By Liam O’Brien
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Vanarama National League North
Saturday, November 2nd 2019
Blyth Spartans 2-0 Farsley Celtic
Blyth Spartans increased their unbeaten National League North to run matches after a 2-0 win over fifth-placed Farsley Celtic.
Lee Clark’s side took the lead in the 64th minute when Callum Roberts was sent through on goal and unselfishly squared it for Robbie Dale, who tapped into an empty net.
Spartans then doubled their lead when substitute Levi Amantchi was brought down by goalkeeper Kyle Trenerry – allowing Callum Roberts to wrap up the three points.
Clark stuck with the same starting 11 that featured in the 2-2 draw with Chester and dominated possession for large spell in the first-half.
Roberts came close in the 15th-minute when Lewis Hawkins did a backheel pass to trick the defender and send Roberts through on goal but his shot went soaring over the bar.
Not long later, the former Newcastle United winger was then denied in Blyth’s biggest chance of the opening 45 minutes
Dale sent a killer pass through to him. Roberts managed to shrug off his defender and have a strike at goal but it was saved impressively by the incoming Trenerry.
Blyth continued to put pressure on the Farsley Celtic goal. Rhys Evans cut inside from out wide on the right and unleashed a shot with his left foot that went narrowly over.
Five minutes later, Farsley carved their first opportunity when Will Hayhurst found space to have an effort at goal from just outside the box but it went straight into the gloves of Mark Foden.
The home side’s second big chance followed just before the break. Hawkins’ close-range effort was blocked before his follow-up was blasted over the bar.
After half-time, Blyth maintained their dominance. Roberts cut in from the right to have a curling effort at goal that went narrowly wide at the far post.
Just under 10 minutes after, Hawkins laid the ball off for Olly Scott to have a strike at goal from but his shot went soaring over the bar from distance.
With Clark’s side continuing to knock on the door, they finally got their just rewards through captain Dale.
Michael Sweet’s neat flick sent Roberts bearing down on goal. He waited for Trenerry to come towards him before picking out Dale.
It was nearly a second for Dale in the 70th minute. A magnificent ball by Roberts had Dale with just Trenerry to beat, however the Farsley shot-stopper was up to the task again.
Spartans didn’t have to wait long for their all-important second when Trenerry was penalised for bringing Amantchi down in the area.
Roberts then stepped up to take the penalty and confidently sent it into the back of the net to give his side a vital three points.
He almost added gloss to the performance when his free-kick from 20 yards out was kept out by the inside of the post before bouncing away from danger.
The win meant Blyth opened up a two-point lead on the relegation places ahead of the visit to Kettering in two weeks’ time.
Spartans: Foden, Evans, Callaghan, Scott, Ritson, Devitt, Dale (C), Hunter, Sweet (Amantchi, 77), Hawkins, Roberts. Subs not used: Wrightson, Mullen, Robson, Harker
Bookings: Hunter (86)
Goals: Dale (64) Roberts (81 Pen)
Farsley Celtic – Trenerry, Richards, Allan, Higgins (Atkinson, 81), Ellis (C), Clayton, Walton (Francis, 59), Atkinson, Spencer (Cartman, 81), Syers, Hayhurst. Subs not used: Parkin, Wynne.
Booking: Allan (57) Trenerry (78)
Man of the Match: Anthony Callaghan
Attendance: 770