Blyth Spartans v Hebburn Town | Tuesday, 13 August 2024 - 19:45 | League

By Josh Kirtley

Blyth Spartans suffered a late 1-0 loss against Hebburn Town in their first home game of the Northern Premier League Premier Division season.

Spartans showed quality in spells throughout the game but could not find an opening at Croft Park, but it was Hebburn who struck first through substitute Leo Robinson in the 71^st minute.

Spartans were coming into this game looking for their first win of the season following a 2-2 draw against Ashton United in their opening match. Hebburn Town, however, were looking to build on their 1-0 home win against Warrington Rylands last time out.

Hebburn's captain Amar Purewal struck over the bar inside the first minute and they continued to attack as Harrison Bond made a save in the third minute, denying Liam Murray from just inside the box.

In the 15^th minute, Joao Gomes showed some good footwork before firing an effort at goal, which was saved by Kieran Hunter.

Bond got down low to his right-hand side to deny Murray after Robbie Spence's strike came into his feet.

In the 24^th minute, Isiah Cornet was withdrawn due to injury, and was replaced by Max Storey.

Mitch Curry and Gomes capitalised on a defensive mistake and broke forward for Spartans, Gomes tried a strike from distance but it was quickly blocked by a Hebburn defender.

Murray sent a cross in from deep which was header goal-ward by Joseph Posthill, but Bond made another comfortable save.

Gomes went close again in the 36^th minute, cutting inside and firing a curling effort towards the near post hitting the side netting.

Gomes was in the centre of all of the action for Spartans going forward near half-time as he skipped past two, tried to cross the ball into the box, but it was deflected towards the edge of the area where an oncoming Ryan Donaldson struck the ball low and hard which just whispered the post.

Half-time - Blyth Spartans 0-0 Hebburn Town

Spartans almost took the lead just after the break as Nicky Deverdics' left-footed delivery from 35-yards out found the head of Ben Milburn whose effort went narrowly past Hunter's left post.

Spartans again went agonisingly close after Gomes played Curry in on goal after a slick passing move, but his effort rolled wide.

Substitute Dan Savage had an instant impact, as a shot from distance was inches away from the bottom corner after some good work from Gomes.

Spartans thought they broken the deadlock in the 67th minute through Curry, but it was ruled offside.

Soon after, Hebburn opened the scoring in the 71^st minute, as, substitute, Leo Robinson's strike from distance took a wicked deflection and wrong-footed Bond

Spartans kept fighting as Gomes had a left-footed effort saved by Hunter just two minutes after conceding.

In the final minute of the game, Spartans almost found an equaliser as Gomes' left-footed strike went narrowly past the post.

Full-time - Blyth Spartans 0-1 Hebburn Town

Blyth Spartans | Harrison Bond, Joe Oliver, Joel Holvey, Ben Milburn, Connor Pani, Ryan Donaldson (Dan Savage 59'), Isiah Cornet (Max Storey 24'), Michael Woods, Mitchell Curry (Marcello Benedetti 82'), Joao Gomes, Nicky Deverdics ©

Subs not used | Michael Hogan, Harrison Clark

Yellow Cards | Joel Holvey 90'

Hebburn Town | Kieran Hunter, Joe Walton, Aidan Heywood, Liam Murray (Bailey Adamson 60'), Jack Donaghy, Michael Turner, Liam Noble (Dan Groves 86'), Robbie Spence, Amar Purewal ©, Olly Martin (Tom Devitt 60'), Joe Posthill (Leo Robinson 67')

Subs not used | Daniel Moore

Goals | Leo Robinson 71'

Yellow Cards | Leo Robinson 78'

Attendance | 820

Referee | Jamie Cann

Assistant Referee | Matthew Carroll and Charlie Ford

Spartans next face off against Lancaster City at Croft Park on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with a 3pm kick-off.