As Stephen Turnbull’s first half penalty against Halesowen Town hit the back of the net he became the scorer of Spartans 100th competitive goal of the season.
Since the opening day of the season when Dan Maguire’s twenty five yard thunderbolt against Grantham Town gave his side the perfect start to the season, there has been every type of goal in a number of different competitions.
So here are the numbers behind Spartans ton of goals:
18: There have been eighteen different goalscorers for Spartans. They are Dan Maguire, Robert Dale, Jarrett Rivers, Michael Richardson, Matthew Wade, Stephen Turnbull, Damen Mullen, Dan Hawkins, Ryan Hutchinson, Steven Turnbull, Danny Parker, Jonathyn Quinn, Alex Nicholson, Chris Bell, Joel Dixon, Paul Robinson, Neal Hooks and Jordan Watson.
4: Spartans have scored goals in four different competitions. They are Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, FA Cup, FA Trophy and the Northumberland Senior Cup. The only competition they failed to score in was the Doodson Sports Cup as the exited the competition with a 0-2 defeat at home to Frickley Athletic.
1: The first goal of the season, as mentioned above, was scored by Dan Maguire in the 2-1 home win on the opening day of the season against Grantham Town.
25: The 25th goal was scored by Stephen Turnbull, as he got Spartans back on level terms at 2-2 in the remarkable FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie at Leek Town, a game Spartans eventually won 4-3….but of course you would already know that.
50: Spartans didn’t actually score the goal that brought up their half century of goals! That honour…or should that be dubious honour in the circumstances….goes to Grantham Town defender Scott Hellewell, as his own goal put Spartans 4-1 up in the 7-1 away hammering of the Gingerbreads just before Christmas
75: Jordan Watson’s first goal in the green and white took Spartans to seventy five for the season. That came in the closing moments of the 4-0 win over Ramsbottom United at Croft Park in February.
100: Stephen Turnbull had the honour of scoring Spartans 100th competitive goal of the season, with his penalty at home to Halesowen Town on 4th of April
10: Ten of Spartans century of goals have come from the penalty spot. Robbie Dale has eight of them, whilst Stephen Turnbull and Damen Mullen have one each against Halesowen Town and Farsley respectively. The latter was in the FA Trophy.
1: Only one player has a hat-trick during the time it has taken Spartans to hit one hundred. That honour fell to Robbie Dale in the 4-3 away win at Belper Town
2: Two of the century of goals have been own goals. Firstly there was the aforementioned Scott Hellewell of Grantham Town and the other was “scored” by Stamford’s Lewis Carr, you’ll remember it, Peter the Groundsman was credited with the assist.
4: Four players have scored braces! Dan Maguire has six, Robbie Dale has three and both Jarrett Rivers and Michael Richardson have one each. They came against Belper Town at home for Rivers and Rushall Olympic at home for Richardson.
1: Only one game has see two Spartans score braces in the same fixture. Although it was memorable as it came in the 4-1 FA Cup First Round demolition of Conference side Altrincham with Robbie Dale and Dan Maguire both notching twice.
2: Two of the goals have come direct from free kicks and both have been scored by Stephen Turnbull, one against Stourbridge away in the league and the other I can’t quite place…..oh yes, that was against Hartlepool United at Victoria Park in the FA Cup Second Round!
6: Six of the goals were scored by players no longer registered with the club. They are single strikes for Paul Robinson and Joel Dixon, plus Nathan Buddle and Jonathyn Quinn, who both scored twice for Spartans this season.
For completeness Spartans century of goals have been scored by:
25 – Dan Maguire
21 – Robbie Dale
12 – Jarrett Rivers
8 – Michael Richardson
5 – Stephen Turnbull
4 – Matthew Wade
3 – Damen Mullen, Dan Hawkins, Ryan Hutchinson
2 – Alex Nicholson, Steven Turnbull, Nathan Buddle, Danny Parker, Jonathyn Quinn, Own Goals
1 – Chris Bell, Joel Dixon, Jordan Watson, Paul Robinson