Blyth Spartans v Whitby Town | Thursday, 26 December 2024 - 15:00 | League

In a thrilling Boxing Day clash at Croft Park, Blyth Spartans found themselves on the losing end against Whitby Town, managed by Nathan Haslam and Michael Connor for the first time.

The visitors struck first in the 10th minute when Stephen Walker's curling shot was saved, but Richardson's parry fell to Layton Watts who capitalise, rounding the Sunderland loanee and tapping the ball into an empty net. Watts quickly doubled his tally just 10 minutes later. A clever ball over the Spartans' defensive line left him unmarked, and he executed a perfect chip over Richardson to make it 2-0.

Things worsened for Blyth just before halftime when Whitby captain Lewis Hawkins headed in a third goal from a corner, leaving the home side in a tough position.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-3 Whitby Town

Blyth found a glimmer of hope in the 57th minute when Connor Pani headed home from a corner, initially seeming like a mere consolation goal.

Whitby appeared to be cruising to victory when Nathan Thomas scored their fourth goal, exploiting some poor defending by Spartans who struggled to contain the threat. However, Mitch Curry sparked a revival with a stunning long-range strike in the 70th minute, narrowing the deficit for Blyth.

The momentum shifted further in the 78th minute when Adam Gell received a second yellow card, leaving Whitby down to 10 men.

Blyth kept pressing, and their efforts paid off in the 84th minute when Ben Milburn scored after a frantic scramble in the box following a free kick, making it 4-3. As the pressure mounted on Whitby, their captain Lewis Hawkins also saw red for a second yellow card

Full time: Blyth Spartans 3-4 Whitby

Match Action

1'| Stephen Walker takes an early shot after the Spartans lose possession from the kickoff, but it misses wide of the post.

4'|A quick recovery from Adam Richardson, who after giving the ball away to Layton Watts, dives to reclaim it before any damage could be done.

13'| A solid low save from Adam Richardson as he parries a shot out for a corner, which is cleared and dealt by Shay Richardson.

19'| Walker fires a curling long-range effort that is parried away by Adam Richardson, with the Spartans' defense reacting swiftly to clear the danger.

23'| Nathan Thomas drives into the Spartans' penalty area, but Ben Fell holds his ground and prevents him from getting a shot off.

26'|Billy Gordon delivers a deep cross into the box, but Whitby goalkeeper Shane Bland is quick to claim it.

29'| A threatening ball from Whitby enters the Spartans' box, but Adam Gell fails to gain control, allowing Blyth to clear.

40'|Connor Pani connects with a deep header that beats goalkeeper Bland but narrowly misses the post, going just wide.

42'| A deep free kick from Whitby spills onto the goal-line but is cleared away by the Blyth defense.

Halftime

67'| Thomas cuts inside and unleashes a shot, which is saved by Greg Halford.

75'| Halford is called into action again, making a crucial save from Collins' attempt on goal.

79'|Connor Pani comes close to scoring again, but his effort from just a yard out goes wide of the target.

89'| A promising ball into the box goes untouched, rolling straight through to the goalkeeper.

90+2'| Mitch Curry fires a long-range shot that sails well over the bar.

90+3'|The Spartans have an open goal opportunity after Halford pushes forward for a corner, which ultimately fails to beat the first man. In a surprising turn, Whitby manages to send the ball wide despite being exposed at the back.