AFC Telford United 1 Blyth Spartans 1 (Match Report)

Attendance 1,847

AFC Telford

Ryan Young, Lee Vaughan, Gareth Jelleyman, Gavin Cowan, Jimmy Turner, Liam Blakeman (sub Tom Field 58 mins), Jon Adams (sub Danny Carey Bertram 66 mins), Carl Rodgers, Phil Trainer (sub Danny Edwards 76 mins), Andy Brown, Steve Torpey
Subs not used - Jamie Vermiglio, Matt Nolan

Blyth Spartans

Mark Bell, Stephen Harrison, John Brackstone, Michael Tait, Gareth Williams, Andrew Leeson, Chris McCabe, Stephen Turnbull, John Alexander, Adrian Webster, Robert Dale (sub Simon Todd 43 mins).
Subs not used - Ian Graham, Kenny Boyle, Shaun Reay, Jack Norton

Spartans were unlucky not to take all 3 points away at AFC Telford who are pre-season favourites for promotion from the Blue Square North.

Spartans got off to a great start. After only 3 minutes Stephen Harrison found Adrian Webster down the right wing, his centre into the 6 yard box saw Rob Dale cheekily back heeling the ball home.

The home side rallied and Steve Torpey tested Mark Bell in the Blyth goal with a crisp shot which the Spartans stopper turned around for a corner kick.

The home side turned up the pressure with Andrew Brown finding Bell equal to his effort.

On the half hour Spartans nearly increased their lead. Steve Turnbull's long range effort was only parried by home keeper Ryan Young straight to Chris McCabe whose first time effort was blocked by Young.

However, Telford equalised on 38 minutes. Gareth Jelleyman's deep cross was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Torpey shooting past Bell to equalise.

The second half Spartans create the better scoring chances. Simon Todd released John Alexander down the left side of the penalty area, he picked out Turnbull on the penalty spot but he pulled his shot wide.

On the hour Todd again found Alexander on the edge of the penalty area, but his powerful shot was blocked by a defender.

The closest the home side came to grabbing a winner came from the head of Phil Trainer but Bell did well to hold on under pressure.

With 10 minutes reaming Alexander had a great chance to get all 3 points for the Spartans. One on one with keeper Young the home keeper managed to turn Alexander's shot onto the upright.