Worksop Town v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 24 August 2024 - 15:00 | League

Worksop Town came from behind twice in the second half to secure a 5-2 victory over a young Blyth Spartans side.

After a goalless first half, Billy Gordon put Blyth ahead with a stunning long-range strike. However, Worksop responded quickly, with Hughes equalising minutes later.

Blyth regained lead through Joao Gomes five minutes later. But Hughes levelled again in the 76th minute and completed his hattrick just three minutes later. Jordan Burrow added Worksop's fourth in the 87th minute before Luke Hall sealed the win with a close-range effort in injury time.

Nobby Solano made three changes from our midweek draw to Guiseley AFC as Joseph Abrahart, Isiah Cornet and Charlie Aitken all came into the starting lineup to replace Ryan Donaldson, Marcello Benedetti and Dan Savage.

The opening act of the game saw Max Storey withdrawn from the match just five minutes in as he suffered an injury to his arm, he was replaced by Billy Gordon.

Worksop thought they had opened the scoring after just nine minutes as Liam Hughes' strike from 30-yard was disallowed for a foul in the process, despite protests from the crowd.

Harrison Bond was forced into action soon after as he denied Dan Bramall.

The Spartans had some good build-up play in the midfield and tried to break forward, but unfortunately, Joseph Abrahart was offside.

Substitute Billy Gordon had an effort from outside the area which went wide of the target.

Before the break, Worksop was also forced into an early substitution as Dan Bramall was replaced by Jay Rollins.

Half time: Worksop Town 0-0 Blyth Spartans

The hosts got underway for the second half and had the first chance as Hughes hit the crossbar with his headed effort.

However, it was Blyth who broke the deadlock as Gordon's long-range effort dipped and went in which gave Blyth the lead after 58 minutes.

But the lead would last just six minutes as Hughes' powerful shot rifled off the underside of the crossbar and went in.

The Spartans kept their heads high and marched on as five minutes after that they restored their lead through Joao Gomes as he capitalised on a rebound, tapping in from close range.

Spartans continued their attack as Charlie Aitken got onto the end of a dangerous cross, but his effort was saved by Tommy Taylor.

Worksop equalised once again through Hughes as he latched onto the end of Rollins' cross and slotted it in the back of the net.

And Hughes completed his hat-trick three minutes later giving Worksop the lead for the first time this game as he scored with a towering header.

The tigres nearly made it four moments later as Jordan Burrow tried to lob Bond, but Bond made a brilliant fingertip save to deny a goal.

Gomes missed a big chance to level the scoring in the 84th minute, but his effort was hit straight at Taylor.

Shortly after, Burrow got his goal as he controlled a left-footed finish into the top right corner.

But Worksop weren't done as in the seventh minute of added time Luke Hall socred a fifth for the Tigres as he scored from close range.

Full time: Worksop Town 5-2 Blyth Spartans

Worskop Town | Tommy Taylor, Regal Hutchinson, Josh Wilde, Terry Hawkridge, Hamza Bencherif, Deegan Atherton, Daniel Bramall (Jay Rollins 40', (Charlie Winfield 88')), Vaughan Redford (Jordan Burrow 61'), Aleksandrs Starcenko, Liam Hughes (Samuel Wedgbury 81'), Luke Hall

Subs not used | Ben Tomlinson

Goals | Liam Hughes 64', 77', 80', Jordan Burrow 87', Luke Hall 90+7'

Yellow Cards | Hamza Bencherif 62', Aleksandrs Sarcenko 90+5'

Blyth Spartans | Harrison Bond, Joe Oliver (Robbie Kinniburgh 62'), Joel Holvey, Ben Milburn, Connor Pani, Joseph Abrahart (Leon Burke 86'), Max Storey (Billy Gordon 5'), Isiah Cornet (Zack Simpson 80'), Charlie Aitkin, Joao Gomes, Nicky Deverdics (C)

Subs not used | Michael Hogan

Goals | Billy Gordon 58', Joao Gomes 71'

Yellow Cards | Isiah Cornet 20'

Attendance | 614

Referee | Joseph Goodwin

Spartans next game is at home to Morpeth Town on Monday, August 26, 2024, at the Croft Park, with a 3pm kick off.