Morpeth Town v Blyth Spartans | Wednesday, 1 January 2025 - 15:00 | League

Morpeth Town v Blyth Spartans | Wednesday, 1st January 2025 - 13:00 | League

Blyth Spartans started 2025 with a point away from home to local rivals Morpeth Town.

Spartans gave starts to their 3 new signings. Connor made 6 changes to the starting 11 that lost to Whitby Town at home on Boxing Day with Ollie Basey coming in for the injured Adam Richardson. Fellow new signings Alfie Doherty and returning Spartan, Paddy Almond, also came in as well as Greg Halford, Matthew Ridley and Cyril Giraud.

Morpeth got an opportunity in the opening minute when Jack Foalle nearly got on the end of a dangerous cross towards the back post. Spartans got their first sight of goal in the 4th minute when Dean Briggs fired a free-kick straight at former Spartan Dan Langley in nets for Morpeth.

10 minutes later, Blyth got another chance when Dan Myers found some space on the left and managed to drive a low cross across the face of goal but it just evaded Sam Hodgson and Morpeth were able to get it clear.

The conditions in Morpeth made it difficult for both sides to take control of the first half as the blustery conditions combined with the rain raged on for the majority of the game.

Blyth had the best of the chances in the first half with Dean Briggs getting a chance inside the box thanks to some great play by Giraud. His strike at goal was comfortably saved by Dan Langley.

Half time: Morpeth Town 0-0 Blyth Spartans

The hosts started the second half strongly with 5 efforts at goal in the first 7 minutes of the second half. The best of them being when Will Dowling found himself with space in the box and an open header but his effort was straight at Ollie Basey.

Morpeth continued to have the momentum in the second half but Blyth were able to hold them back from getting concrete chances with long range efforts being the only way for them to get shots away and Basey was able to deal with them comfortably.

The Spartans managed to put some pressure on Morpeth towards the end of the game with Mitchell Curry getting a chance in stoppage time when Reed struck a low shot that forced Dan Langley in a save that rebound off Curry and went over. The offside flag went up anyway so it wouldn't have counted even if it went in.

The match ended in a stalemate with Blyth starting the new year with a point away from home and can push on towards the next 3 matches, all of which will be home matches at Croft Park.

Full time: Morpeth Town 0-0 Blyth Spartans

Morpeth Town - Langley, Evans, Snowball, Dowling (Greaves, 87'), Henderson (c), King, Foalle, Hickey, James, Bollado, McGowan (John, 18')

Subs not used - Robson, Buddle, Griggs

Yellow cards - Dowling (41')

Blyth Spartans - Basey, Halford, Myers, Ridley, Pani, Almond, Giraud (Reed, 85'), Briggs (Aitken, 74'), Hodgson (Curry, 81'), Doherty, Richardson (c)

Subs not used - Gordon, Fell

Yellow cards - Briggs (53') Giraud (77')

Referee - Sam Ross