Ashington 2-2 Blyth Spartans (After Extra Time)

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Ashington 2-2 Blyth Spartans (After Extra Time)
Tuesday 18th March
Woodhorn Lane
Northumberland Senior Cup Semi Final
Att: 608

If gaining at replay from the Northumberland Senior Cup Semi Final at Ashington was described as "getting out of jail" then Spartans striker Dan Maguire was the man who broke the lock and led his side over the barbed wire fence. The diminutive front man hit a brace including a scrappy equaliser five minutes from the end of extra time to ensure the sides will clash again at Croft Park for a place in the final against Newcastle United Under 21s.

It was a blustery Woodhorn Lane that met the sides and that led to a scrappy game where neither side did themselves justice. It was the hosts who had the first chance on eight minutes with Andrew Johnson fired a twenty five yard volley wide of Conor Grant's far post. Just five minutes later Spartans should have taken the lead as the impressive Arran Wearmouth powered past Lance McGlen before smashing a ball across the face of goal. That was met by Robbie Dale but the eleven goal winger could only fire over the bar.

For the majority of the half the only winner was the conditions and it took until seven minutes before the interval for the next chance. A hopeful punt from Colliers defender James Taylor released namesake Glen in on goal but the former Spartans striker lashed over the bar from fifteen yards. On the stroke of half time Dale almost gave his side the lead but he was denied as the near post by a smart stop from Karl Dryden.

Just as he had during Saturday's win over Skelmersdale United Dan Maguire gave his side the lead within five minutes of the restart. The striker robbed McGlen on the left hand side before cutting inside James Taylor and firing a low, firm effort from the edge of the box that sneaked inside Dryden's near post.

It only took the Colliers just under ten minutes to get back on even terms as one of football's oldest rules came into play. The curse of the ex player struck as Marc Walton latched on to a loose ball before carefully chipping Conor Grant from the edge of the box. The ball seemed to catch the wind but dropped into the net and it was game on.

With twenty minutes left the hosts almost took the lead as Danny Parker misjudged a McGlen cross but Walton was slightly off target this time as the former Newcastle United academy product volleyed over from the edge of the box. The introduction of Ash Davis seemed to give Spartans fresh impetus and the striker almost gave Spartans the lead but lashed wide after being played in on goal by an intricate through ball from Matthew Wade.

With both sides seemingly set for an extra half an hour the hosts were denied a late winner by an instinctive stop from Conor Grant. The in-form Spartans number one threw himself across goal to parry a Johnson volley away from danger and that ensured extra time would be played.

A dour first half of extra time was played out with the only action seeing the Colliers go ahead. Four minutes before half time substitute Chris Glass headed home a Johnson corner to give his side the lead and put one foot in the final for the hosts. However the second period of extra time was about Spartans as they desperately searched for an equaliser and when it came there was more than an element of fortune about it.

Full back Damen Mullen surged forward towards the Colliers area and looked to play a neat through ball to Maguire. That seemed to be blocked off by the Colliers back line but a lack of communication saw Maguire pounce on the loose ball and rolled his twenty fourth goal of the season into an empty net to snatch a replay for his side.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Nathan Buddle

Ashington

Dryden, McGlen, Scott, Oliver, J Taylor, Christensen, Norris, Johnson, Walton, G Taylor, Downie

Subs:

Glass, Barnard, Carr

Goalscorers

Walton 55, Glass 101

Blyth Spartans:

Grant, Mullen, Watson, Buddle, Parker, Wade(Horner 90), Hubbard(Robinson 67), Wearmouth(Davis 75), Maguire, Hooks, Dale

Subs not used:

Kendrick, Purewal

Scorers:

Maguire 48 and 115

Referee:

Paul Curry