Ashton United v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 10 August 2024 - 15:00 | League

Blyth Spartans came back and gained a point through a strike from Michael Woods in the opening game of the Northern Premier Division season.

Spartans' captain Nicky Deverdics put Spartans ahead in the 17th minute, but two second half goal from Ashton put them ahead before Michael Woods found an equaliser with five minutes to go.

There were fresh faces for Spartans as Connor Pani, Isiah Cornet, Mitchel Curry, and Joao Gomes made the starting lineup after signing during the week. The first action of the match saw Ashton's Daruis Osei's header landed just shy of the post and went out for a Spartans' goal kick.

Ashton United went forward again this time through James Hardy, but his shot went into the side-netting. New signing, Mitchel Curry's cross went into the box which was unfortunately over-hit.

But it was Nicky Deverdics who would break the deadlock after 17 minutes with a fantastic strike that found the bottom left corner. Soon after Ashton's Osei had a shot which sailed over the bar and moments later Hardy's shot was blocked and went over the bar.

The first yellow card of the match and season for Spartans was awarded to Connor Pani as his challenge was late and the resulting free-kick was blocked by Blyth's wall. Sean Newton was inches away from contact with the ball after his diving header from a cross that was sent in from an Ashton United's corner.

Half-Time - Blyth Spartans 1-0 Ashton United

A tussle between Joe Oliver and Osier resulted in Oliver staying down for a while, He got up after a while and soldered on, soon after Michael Woods received a yellow card.

Ashton thought they had an equaliser when Jason Gilchrist's header went in, but the assistant raised his flag for offside. The Robins piled the pressure on Nobby Solano's side and found an equaliser in the 65th minute through a tap-in by Jason Gilchrist.

After their opener, Ashton continued to attack as Denton's header was wide of the post and went out for a goal kick. The hosts then found a second in the 80th minute when Osei scored. Harrison Bond pulled off a fantastic save as one-on-one chance saw the Spartans' keeper come out on top.

When it all seemed dead and buried, in the 85th minute, Isiah Cornet ran down the right-hand side, flicked the ball over a defender's head and crossed it into the box to Woods. Under pressure, his shot went in for Spartans' equaliser.

Full-time: Blyth Spartans 2-2 Ashton United

Blyth Spartans | Harrison Bond, Joe Oliver, Joseph Abrahart, Ben Milburn, Connor Pani, Ryan Donaldson (Marcello Benedetti 81'), Isiah Cornet (Harrison Clark 86'), Michael Woods, Mitchell Curry (Dan Savage 66'), Joao Gomes, Nicky Deverdics

Subs not used | Michael Hogan, Max Storey

Goals | Nicky Deverdics 17', Michael Woods 85'

Assists | Michael Woods 17', Isiah Cornet 85'

Yellow Cards | Connor Pani 28', Michael Woods 53', Nicky Deverdics 78'

Ashton United | Conor O'Keefe, Dan Cowan, Josh Doherty, Sean Newton, Luke Burke ©, Sam Baird, James Hardy (Tom Denton 74'), Louis White, Jason Gilchrist, Darius Osie, Jack Massey (Benny Couto 62')

Subs not used | Bobby Bjork, Leon Johnson, George Chimel

Goals | Jason Gilchrist 65', Darius Osie 80'

Assists | Darius Osie 65', Jason Gilchrist 80'

Spartans next face off against Hebburn Town at Croft Park on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, with a 7:45pm kick-off.