Blyth Spartans 0-1 Buxton

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ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Blyth Spartans 0-1 Buxton
Saturday 22nd February 2014
Croft Park
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Att: 395

A lacklustre performance from Spartans saw them surrender their unbeaten record for 2014 and suffer a first home league defeat since October 26th as a single goal was enough for Buxton to complete the league double over them. A lethargic first half was only slightly bettered by both sides in the second period as the Croft Park faithful suffered a game that was low on entertainment and high in frustration.

Tom Wade stuck with the starting lineup from last Saturday's draw at Stafford Rangers with the only change coming on the bench with Ryan Cummings replacing Shaun Utterson. Ash Davis continued his comeback from his leg fracture alongside Cummings as one of Spartans replacements.

The opening twenty minutes of the game gave notice of what was to follow with neither side creating anything of note although did show that the visitors were a hardworking and direct outfit. They finally had the first chance on twenty five minutes as Joe Kendrick misjudged a cross field pass from Jamie Green. That allowed Buxton top scorer Lee Morris in on goal but the normally prolific striker dragged a shot well wide of the far post.

A turgid first half continued and again it was the visitors who had the only real chances, although the next one didn't arrive until the closing stages of a half that will be easily forgotten by both sets of supporters. Josh Davies found a yard of space on the edge of the Spartans area but curled a right foot effort just wide of Conor Grant's right hand post.

There was more to write about in the opening ten minutes of the second half with both sides going close and a penalty shout turned down. Those appeals were from Spartans players as a long ball from Paul Robinson bounced in the area amongst appeals for a handball from Buxton defender Ash Palmer, those appeals were quickly turned down.

Minutes later Spartans were grateful for the reflexes of Conor Grant minutes later as the impressive Morris released his strike partner Liam Hardy in behind the defence. However Grant made a smart stop at his near post after narrowing the angle well. A sad reflection of a poor display from Wade's side was the fact that they didn't test veteran keeper Andy Warrington until the fifty fifth minutes as Arran Wearmouth hit a speculative effort which the former York City number one saved easily at his near post.

Buxton deservedly took the lead just before the hour mark with a clinical finish from substitute Alistair Taylor. A pass inside Kendrick from Davies released Taylor into the area and he crashed an effort across goal and inside the far post, leaving Grant with no chance.

With Ash Davis now on Spartans tried to create a chance but were constantly frustrated by a dogged and disciplined performance by the visitors led by a rock solid performance by centre back Ash Palmer. When Spartans did get in behind them Warrington produced a match winning stop to deny Dan Maguire after the forward latched on to a long pass from Nathan Buddle.

The last fifteen minutes saw plenty of Spartans possession without any real chances as Robbie Dale found some space on the left hand side of the visitors area but as he chose to shoot rather than cross any chances of a point went with it. The winger's right footed effort going wide of the far post and as the whistle went a minute later Spartans began to reflect on a poor performance, something the Green Army haven't seen for a number of months.

Despite the defeat Spartans only dropped one place to seventh in the league with FC United of Manchester leapfrogging them in the table. In an increasingly intriguing play off chase Spartans, FC United and Ashton United all sit on fifty six points although both the Uniteds have games in hand on Tom Wade's side.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Nathan Buddle

Blyth Spartans:

Grant, Watson(Hubbard 88), Parker, Buddle, Kendrick, Hooks, Robinson, Wade(Horner 77), Dale, Maguire, Wearmouth(Davis 68)

Subs not used:

Purewal, Cummings

Scorers:

None

Buxton:

Warrington, Stevens, Green, Davies, Brooks, Hodder(Taylor 49), Thornhill, Morris, Hardy(Reed 83), King strong>Subs not used

Johnson, Stanway

Goalscorers

Taylor 59

Referee:

Mr Markham