AFC Telford 1 Blyth Spartans 1 (Match Report)

Saturday 4th September
Attendance - 2,005

Afc Telford:

Platt, Salmon, Newton, Rodgers, Murray, Killock, Mills, Trainer, Meechan, Brown, Adams (Abbott).
Subs Not Used - John, Davies, Danny Carey-Bertram & Ryan Jones

Blyth Spartans:

Cunningham, Harrison, Cave, Tait, Swailes, Buchanan, Deverdics, Turnbull, Brayson, Hooks, Dale.
Subs not used - Graham, Alexander, Morris, Groves & Smith

BLYTH Spartans returned home with a creditable draw at AFC Telford, a venue they have found difficult in the past.

Spartans had to defend valiantly in the second period, and almost claimed all three points in the later stages of the game.

John Adams set up Greg Mills in the 15th minute and his first-time effort tested goalkeeper Jake Cunningham.

Blyth's first real goalscoring opportunity came after half an hour. Phil Cave moved down the left and picked out Paul Brayson who opened up the opportunity for Neil Hooks but keeper Daniel Platt was not unduly troubled.

Spartans returned a minute later to take the lead. A long ball out of defence by Chris Swailes found Brayson who rounded Platt before slotting into an open net.

There were a few anxious seconds when the assistant referee flagged for offside but he was over-ruled by Simon Barrow.

Telford had a golden opportunity to equalise before the interval.

Robbie Dale was adjudged to have handled in the box, but Andrew Brown fired wide of the penalty spot.

They did, however, restore parity with a 48th-minute penalty.

Neil Hooks brought down Phil Trainer and this time Brown was spot on to make amends for his earlier miss.

Spartans were under the cosh for the remainder of the game but were dangerous when counter-attacking.

A Phil Cave free -kick deep into the penalty area was headed at Platt by Swailes and good work by Turnbull down the left saw Brayson's strike cleared off the line by Shane Killock.

Telford enjoyed much of the possession but in stoppage time Turnbull hooked his effort over the crossbar and the home side survived.