Prescot Cables v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 7 September 2024 - 15:00 | League

By Callum Jacques

Spartans suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Prescot Cables as the home side took the lead late into injury time of the second half.

Harrison Bond made a series of crucial saves in the first half to keep the score at 0-0.

Spartans came agonisingly close to taking a point away from Merseyside, but Prescot substitute Francis Smith gave the home side the lead in the 94th minute.

Spartans made two changes to the side that beat Campion 3-1 on Wednesday night with new signing Greg Halford and Harry Gardiner both coming into the starting XI.

The first chance of the game fell the way of the home side in the third minute when Michael Carberry was free at the back post, but he fired his attempt over the bar.

Bond was called into action for the first time in the contest when he saved a Prescot free kick from the edge of the area.

Prescot continued to create chances and striker Tom Owens got in behind in the 13th minute, but his volley flew wide.

Spartans first real opportunity of the first half came in the 21st minute when Billy Gordon's through ball found Harry Gardiner inside the area but the off-balance striker fired wide.

Bond then made an excellent reflex save in the 27th minute. Carberry broke down the left and his cross was flicked on at the front post, but Bond stuck a hand up to deny the home side the opener. Within a minute Bond was called into action once again when Spartans skipper Nicky Deverdics was caught in possession.

Joao Gomes won the ball in the opposition half before playing an excellent infield pass to Zack Simpson who picked out Gardiner, but the striker slipped as he was about to shoot.

Bond was called into action once again in the 43rd minute when Finlay Cross-Adair's shot needed to be tipped over for a corner.

Bond's best save of the half however, came in stoppage time when Cross-Adair was picked out by Carberry unmarked in the middle of the box but Bond did excellently to save the strikers diving header.

Half time: Prescot Cables 0-0 Blyth Spartans

The game lacked any goalmouth action in the second half with both sides exchanging spells of possession without creating any clear-cut chances.

Spartans did see more of the ball in the second half and thought they could have had a penalty in the 72nd minute when Greg Halford picked out Joao Gomes with a cross field ball, Gomes then played the ball inside to Gordon, who squared it to substitute Dan Savage who was bundled over by a Prescot defender but referee Mark Reeves turned away any appeals for a penalty.

The game was still all square with seven minutes remaining and more spaces were starting to appear, Billy Gordon picked the ball up in midfield with plenty of space but his shot from distance was deflected into the arms of Andre Mendes.

Blyth had a great chance to win the game in stoppage time when they broke forward from a corner but couldn't take full advantage of the three-on-three situation with Mitchell Curry's strike saved by Mendes.

The home side took the lead in stoppage time when substitute Francis Smith curled a free kick from the edge of the box into the far post past Bond.

Full time: Prescot Cables 1-0 Blyth Spartans

Prescot Cables | Andre Mendes, James Devine (Liam Hollet 72'), Matthew Devine (C), Nathan Koehler, Nelson Digbeu, Charley Doyle, Michael Carberry, James Foley, John Murphy, Thomas Owens (Ben Elliott 72'), Finlay Cross-Adair (Lewis Gilboy 57')

Subs not used | Julius Ndene

Goals | Francis Smith 90+4'

Blyth Spartans | Harrison Bond, Josh Norvell, Zack Simpson (Dan Savage 64'), Greg Halford, Connor Pani, Charlie Aitken (Michael Woods 45'), Billy Gordon, Harry Gardiner (Mitchell Curry 79'), Michael Woods, Joao Gomes (Ben Milburn 86'), Nicky Deverdics ©

Subs not used | Michael Hogan

Yellow Cards | Billy Gordon

Attendance | 1,011

Referee | Mark Reeves

Assistant Referees | Ali Rahjoo and Dominic Bell

Spartans next game is against Workington AFC at Croft Park on Tuesday 10th September, with a 7:45pm kick off.