Hebburn Town v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 21 December 2024 - 15:00 | League

Blyth Spartans suffered defeat at Christmas as a short trip away from home ended in a 3-1 defeat.

Two ex-Spartans opened the scoring for Hebburn as Joao Gomes and Matthew Eldson scored in the first half. Hebburn's captain Amar Purewal scored a third after the half-time restart and Connor Pani scored for Spartans with 20 minutes to play.

After a quick start from both sides who both managed crosses into each other's boxes, it was Hebburn who broke the deadlock through Joao Gomes who played a one-two with Dan Savage before slotting the ball past Adam Richardson to put the hosts ahead.

Connor Pani tried his luck from the edge of the area with a shot with the outside of his foot which curled towards the top corner, but Kieran Hunter was equal to it.

Richardson was tested again by Hebburn but pulled off a good save to deny Olly Martin. He was tested a minute later, this time from a Liam Noble free-kick and did well once again to save the shot.

Spartans then had a chance of their own as Cyril Giraud nutmegged Noble then cut in from the left wing and struck a low shot towards goal which was saved by Hunter.

Hebburn then scored a second through Matthew Eldson who struck a shot from a distance which went under Richardson, following a Spartans clearance from a Hebburn free-kick.

Spartans were then awarded a free kick minutes after the restart as Dan Myers was fouled, Dean Briggs stepped up to take it and struck his effort on target, but Hunter saved again.

Before the break, Joel Holver whipped a dangerous ball across the six-yard box which just evaded the oncoming Sam Hodgson.

Half time: Hebburn Town 2-0 Blyth Spartans

Hebburn started the second half with a corner that was whipped to the front post as Jack Donaghy tried a back heel which went just wide of the target.

Shortly after Amar Purewal scored a third for Hebburn as Noble slotted a ball through the Spartans backline and Purewal was on the receiving end to slot the ball past Richardson.

Michael Connor then decided to make substitutions at the hour mark, one of which saw Matthew Ridley come on to make his debut less than 24 hours after signing for the club.

Eldson had another strike from distance, this time his shot went wide of the net.

Spartans then pulled one back through Connor Pani as he netted from close range following a corner played into the Hebburn box.

The last key action of the half saw Purewal in on goal once again but he was flagged offside; Richardson managed to save Purewal's shot anyway.

Full time: Hebburn Town 3-1 Blyth Spartans

Blyth Spartans - Adam Richardson, Joel Holvey, Dan Myers, Billy Gordon (Mitch Curry 58'), Connor Pani, Ben Fell (Ben Milburn 58'), Cyril Giraud, Dean Briggs, Sam Hodgson, Greg Halford (Matthew Ridley 61'), Shay Richardson ©

Subs not used - Max Storey, Charlie Aitken

Goals - Connor Pani 72'

Yellow cards - Cyril Giraud 27', Dean Briggs 58', Matthew Ridley 66'

Hebburn Town - Kieran Hunter, Aidan Heywood, Michael Turner, Arron Thompson, Jack Donaghy, Matthew Eldson, Joao Gomes (Bailey Adamson 81'), Liam Noble (Liam Murray), Amar Purewal ©, Olly Martin (Paul Van Zandvilet), Dan Savage

Subs not used - Leo Robinson, Daniel Moore

Goals - Joao Gomes 8', Matthew Eldson 28', Amar Purewal 49'

Yellow cards - Dan Savage 35', Liam Noble 64', Kieran Hunter 72'

Referee - Alex Clark