Campion v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 31 August 2024 - 15:00 | FA Cup

By Callum Jacques

Blyth Spartans will require an Emirate FA Cup First Round Qualifying Replay after they were held to a draw at the 1st Glass Stadium against Campion AFC.

Campion had the better of the chances in the first half but failed to capitalise before the break.

The home side did however take the lead in the 70^th minute through Zak Kahn before Spartans striker Mitchell Curry equalised in the 75^th minute.

Spartans went into the game looking for their first win of the season after drawing three of their opening six league games, which led to the dismissal of manager, Norberto Solano.

Ben Milburn's fifth-minute long throw fell to Connor Pani inside the area, but his shot was blocked by a Campion defender.

A minute later Aidan Day fired over for the hosts from the edge of the area.

Joao Gomes' effort from the edge of the box bobbled wide in the 13^th minute after good work from Curry.

The roles were reversed 15 minutes later when Gomes done well on the right, but his low cross was fired over the bar from Curry in the 28^th minute.

Campion started to create chances as the game approached half time and Harrison Bond was forced into a series of saves.

The first of which came when a ball towards the back post was headed goalwards by a Campion player from close-range..

Bond was called into action once again two minutes later when he had to deny Nicky Boshell from point-blank range following a corner.

Half time: Campion AFC 0-0 Blyth Spartans

Zak Khan gave the hosts the lead in the 70^th minute when Day turned well to beat his man and delivered a cross into the box which was dealt with poorly by Josh Norvell with his attempted clearance falling straight to Khan who smashed the ball into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead with 20 minutes to go.

Spartans weren't behind for long however with Curry bundling home Harry Gardiner's low cross from the right-hand side after some neat link-up play from Blyth.

Curry had a half chance to give the visitors the lead when he spotted Campion goalkeeper Brad Emerson off his line, but the Spartans goal scorers lofted attempt was too high.

Campion then broke forward looking for a winner through Lloyd Smith down the left, but his cross was intercepted by Spartans and put behind for a corner, which came to nothing before the full-time whistle.

Full time: Campion AFC 1-1 Blyth Spartans

Campion AFC | Brad Emerson, Ethan Crossley, Karl Fitzgerald, Robbie Graham, Sam Bradley, Matty Swift, Aidan Kirby ©, Michael O'Brien, Zak Khan, Aidan Day, Nicky Boshell

Subs | Joe Colley, Jordan Moorhouse, Robbie Thompson, Lloyd Smith, Mackenzie Fraser, Hardoon Salah

Goals | Zak Khan 70'

Yellow Cards | Matty Swift 89'

Blyth Spartans | Harrison Bond, Josh Norvell, Joel Holvey, Ryan Donaldson (Joseph Abrahart 45'), Ben Milburn, Connor Pani, Billy Gordon, Charlie Aitken (Harry Gardiner 66'), Mitchell Curry, Joao Gomes, Nicky Deverdics ©

Subs | Michael Hogan, Bobby Small, Zach Simpson, Marcello Benedetti

Goals | Mitchell Curry 75'

Assists | Harry Gardiner 75'

Yellow cards | Joao Gomes 23', Billy Gordon 55'

Attendance | 572

Spartans next match will be their FA Cup replay against Campion AFC at Croft Park on Wednesday, August 4, 2024 with a 7:45pm kick off.