Blyth Spartans v Morpeth Town | Monday, 26 August 2024 - 15:00 | League

By Callum Jacques

Spartans suffered a heavy defeat on bank holiday Monday as local rivals Morpeth Town put four past the home side at Croft Park.

Jack Foalle opened the scoring for the visitors in the 42^nd minute. He also rounded off the scoring for Morpeth, getting his second of the afternoon in the 79^th minute.

Between Foalle's two goals Nathan Buddle and Nic Bollado scored either side of half time to give the away side a four-goal advantage before Spartans substitute Zack Simpson ensured that the home side would at least get on the score sheet in stoppage time of the second half.

Spartans went into the game looking for their first win of the season with both teams sitting on three points prior to kick off.

The first chance of the game fell to Spartans when Mitchell Curry was released down the right. His cross found Isiah Cornet, but the Blyth midfielder couldn't find the target.

The visitors answered back in the eighth minute when Rhys Evans' attempt from the edge of the box curled past the post into the side netting.

There was then little in the way of goalmouth action until the 24^th minute when Morpeth struck the crossbar following a volley from Foalle.

Morpeth started to create more chances as the half wore on but Bollado's close range header was comfortably saved by Spartans keeper Harrison Bond in the 29^th minute.

Blyth's best chance of the half fell to Michael Woods in the 36^th minute. Woods found himself through on goal after a deflected pass, but his lofted attempt was gathered by Dan Langley.

Morpeth took the lead in the 42^nd minute when Foalle found himself in acres of space inside the box and slid the ball under Bond.

The visitors doubled their lead three minutes later when Buddle headered a corner in from close range.

Spartans skipper Nicky Deverdics tried his luck with a free kick from range before the break, but his attempt whistled past the post.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-2 Morpeth Town

Morpeth scored their third of the game, 13 minutes into the second half when Bollado was found inside the area and was awarded too much time and space before he fired the ball past Bond.

Spartans substitute Ryan Ndiweni done well on the right to create a chance for fellow substitute Billy Gordon, but his close-range attempt was over the bar.

The visitors scored a fourth in the 79^th minute, a deep cross from the left was clawed away by Bond but only into the path of Foalle who brought the ball down and fired past the Blyth keeper for his second goal of the afternoon.

Spartans, however, did find a consolation goal in stoppage time. Ndiweni forced an excellent save from Langley before Zack Simpson scored from the resulting corner.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 1-4 Morpeth Town

Blyth Spartans | Harrison Bond, Joseph Abrahart (Billy Gordon 45'), Joel Holvey, Charlie Aitken, Ben Milburn, Connor Pani, Isiah Cornet (Ryan Ndiweni 45'), Michael Woods (Zack Simpson 63'), Mitchell Curry (Leon Burke 75'), Joao Gomes, Nicky Deverdics ©

Subs not used | Michael Hogan

Goals | Zack Simpson (90')

Morpeth Town | Dan Langley, Rhys Evans, Josh Robson (Josh King 80'), Daniel Barlow, Jeff Henderson ©, Nathan Buddle (Ryan Wombwell 88'), Fenton John, Jordan Hickey, Jack Foalle, Nic Bollado (Sam Davison 83'), Luke James (Vinnie Steele 70')

Subs not used | Will Dowling

Goals | Jack Foalle (42', 79'), Nathan Buddle (45'), Nic Bollado (58')

Yellow Cards | Daniel Barlow (45')

Attendance | 1,120

Referee | Alex Clark

Assistant Referees | John Davison and Elliot Cowens

Spartans next game is away to Campion AFC in the Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the 1st Glass UK Stadium with a 12:30pm kick off which is also broadcasted on BBC via iPlayer, Red button and online.

Stats by Fred Chandler: