Bamber Bridge v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 1 March 2025 - 15:00 | League

Bamber Bridge v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 1st March 2025 - 15:00 | League

Spartans suffered a heavy defeat away to Bamber Bridge.

Bamber Bridge took the lead in the 6th minute through Ewan Bange but Blyth were able to grab an equaliser, courtesy of JJ Hooper, in the 10th minute.

Bange gave the hosts they lead again in the 21st minute before Christopher Churchman made it 3-1 in the 27th minute.

The hosts got two more goals in the second half. Robbie Cleary made it 4-1 in the 83rd minute before second half substitute Lewis Pilgrim made it 5-1.

Spartans got the first chance of the match when Shay Richardson chipped a ball through for Cyril Giraud to run onto. He collected the ball and had a shot at goal but Casper was able to make a save.

The hosts took the lead 2 minutes later when Robbie Cleary drove through the centre of the field then he laid it off for Hey, who's low cross found Ewan Bange who puts the ball past Bancroft.

Blyth got an equaliser in the 10th minute when Richardson had a strike at goal that deflected off a defender and landed at Hooper's feet, who then tapped it in.

The hosts took the lead again in the 21st minute when Bange had a strike at goal that was initially saved at the near post by Bancroft but Bange managed to put it in the second time.

Bamber Bridge pushed for another goal when Heath sent a cross in for Bange in the box but he sent his shot wide from close range.

In the 27th minute, the hosts got their third goal when Potts whipped in a corner that was flicked on by Bange towards the back post for Churchman to put in the back of the net.

Bamber Bridge continued to the pressure on and in the 33rd minute, Cleary came close when his shot from inside the box went narrowly wide of the far post.

Spartans caused some trouble before half-time when Deverdics curled a ball into a crowded box but Ridley wasn't able to get a clean shot away as the ball found its way to him..

Half time: Bamber Bridge 3-1 Blyth Spartans

At the start of the second-half, Bange went for an audacious overhead kick to potentially make it a hat-trick but the effort went wide.

Spartans started strongly with Griggs becoming more active after coming on for Briggs in the first-half. He managed to pick out Giraud's run with a great pass but unfortunately Giraud is offside. In the 53rd minute, Griggs picked up a misplaced pass by Bamber Bridge and passed it to Aitken, who had a shot from outside the box that was comfortably saved by Casper.

In the 68th minute, Blyth won a free-kick just outside the away dugout. Holvey sent a dangerous looking ball into the box towards Almond but it went over his head.

The hosts then made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute, Bange found himself inside the penalty area and he dinked the ball across the face of goal for Cleary who volleyed a low effort past Bancroft.

In the 85th minute, Almond made a wonderful tackle then charged forward to try and create a chance for Spartans. He played a nice 1-2 with second-half substitute Joe Dixon but unfortunately Dixon was offside.

Bamber Bridge then got their fifth and final goal of the game when second-half substitute Lewis Pilgrim got on the end of a ball towards the back post sent in by King.

Full time: Bamber Bridge 5-1 Blyth Spartans

Bamber Bridge - Casper, Heath (Bould, 83), Hey, Dodd, Wallbank, Brockman, Churchman, Potts © (Forbes, 74), Bange (Cullen, 74), Cleary (Pilgrim, 83), Baxter (King, 83)

Goals - Bange (6' 21'), Churchman (27'), Cleary (72'), Pilgrim (88')

Yellow cards - Dodd (66')

Blyth Spartans - Bancroft, Oliver, Holvey, Richardson, Ridley, Almond, Giraud, Aitken, Hooper, Briggs, Deverdics ©

Subs not used - Burke, Gardiner, Reed

Goals - Hooper (10')

Yellow cards - Hooper (57'), Griggs (76')

Referee - Jacob Viera