Blyth Spartans v Bury FC | Saturday, 14 September 2024 - 15:00 | FA Cup

By Stephen Burton

Blyth Spartans bowed out of the FA Cup as three second-half goals helped Bury to a comfortable win at Croft Park.

Spartans had Harrison Bond to thank as they went into the break level following a dominant first-half display from the visitors.

However, Bury found the breakthrough on 53 minutes as Tanaka Cherera stooped to head past Bond. Bebeto Gomes added a second on 69 minutes, before Connor Pye slotted home to round-off a commanding display on 86 minutes.

The match was Spartans boss, David Stockdale's, first since being appointed permanent manager on Friday, and he named just the one change from Tuesday night's win over Workington - Harry Gardiner replacing Dan Savage up front.

It was Blyth who started brightly, as a spell of pressure in the opening few moments saw Michael Woods find some space in the box, but his shot was well charged down by a Bury defender.

However, Bury quickly started to assume control, enjoying most of the possession. While they initially struggled with their final ball, the chances began to come.

On 10 minutes Reuben Jerome was well found with a pin-point cross, and his glancing header looked to be heading for the bottom corner but Bond was there to make the save.

A couple of minutes later it was the turn of Cherera to threaten, as he raced onto a loose ball, drove into the box, only to lack composure and blazed his effort high and wide.

On 25 minutes, Jerome had another excellent chance - only for Bond once again to deny him. The Spartans stopper stayed big as the striker bared down on goal, with Blyth then able to scramble it clear.

The mid-point of the half was relatively scrappy, both sides having spells of possession but then wasting the final ball.

Then in the final few minutes in the half Blyth faced a Bury onslaught. Again, Jerome was involved, seeing a header from a corner fly harmlessly wide from a good position.

Pye then latched onto a long cross-field ball and fired a fierce effort down low to Bond's left, but the Spartans keeper pulled out a strong hand to deny him.

On the stroke of half-time, Bond was beaten as Iyrwah Gooden was played through and fired low past him - only for the outstretched leg of Connor Pani to ensure Spartans went into the half-time break unscathed.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Bury FC

However, it was more of the same at the start of the second-half as the visitors controlled possession, eventually getting the goal their pressure deserved within 10 minutes of the restart.

After Spartans almost fashioned a chance themselves, Bury broke forward. Blyth managed to slow down the attack and get men back, but a sublime ball into the box met the onrushing Cherera who nodded past Bond from six yards.

Then things went from bad to worse for Blyth, as a few minutes later Greg Halford was forced off with an injury, then a shortly after that Bury doubled their lead.

Lewis Alessandra whipped in a free-kick which found Bebeto Gomes unmarked at the back post, who headed into the roof of the net.

Following the goal, Bond was called into action a couple more times from distance, and saved well, unfortunately when it came to the third there was little he could do.

A long ball found Pye, whose touch was brilliant to set him through on goal, one-on-one with Bond he took it past the keeper and slotted in from a tight angle to cap off a miserable afternoon for Blyth.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 0-3 Bury FC

Blyth Spartans | Harrison Bond, Connor Pani, Joel Holvey, Zach Simpson (Josh Norvell 57'), Greg Halford (Harrison Clark 61'), Ben Milburn, Billy Gordon (Mitch Curry 71'), Michael Woods, Harry Gardiner (Charlie Aitken 77'), Joao Gomes (Dan Savage 56'), Nicky Deverdics

Subs not used | Michael Hogan, Joseph Abrahart

Yellow cards | Joao Gomes 50'

Bury | Mitchell Allen, Bebeto Gomes, Connor Pye, Lewis Earl, Gareth Peet (C), Bobby Carroll, Iyrwah Gooden (Rustam Stepans 79'), Cameron Foggerty, Reuben Jerome (Joshua Gregory 84'), Lewis Alessandra (Bryan Ly 71'), Tanaka Cherera (Andrew Briggs 89')

Subs not used | Thomas Stewart, Sam Coughlan, Samuel Ashton

Goals | Tanaka Cherera 53', Bebeto Gomes 69', Connor Pye 86'

Attendance | 1246

Referee | Matthew East

Assistant Referees | Stephen Beresford and Kevin McKitterick

Next up for Spartans is a return to league action as they travel to Stockton Town on Wednesday evening.

Stats by Freddie Chandler

Match photos

A selection of match action images by Bill Broadley.