Blyth Spartans 1-2 Matlock Town

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ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Blyth Spartans 1-2 Matlock Town
Saturday 31st August
Croft Park
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Att: 315

Matlock Town became the first team to inflict a defeat on Spartans this season as they came away from Croft Park with a hard earned win. In truth Spartans never really got their passing game going but still could have came away from the game with a point but couldn't find their way past a resolute and organised Gladiators side.

Spartans manager Tom Wade picked the same side that had drawn with Worksop Town at Croft Park seven days earlier. The only change from the sixteen man squad for that game was the first appearance of former Whitley Bay man Ian Watson, who took his place on the bench after signing from the Northern League side on Thursday.

The opening fifteen minutes of the game were dominated by the wind more than anything as both sides struggled to come to grips with the blustery conditions. The only chance being a Robbie Dale effort after the forward had cut in from the right wing and struck a left foot effort low at goal, although it was comfortably taken by former Gateshead keeper Jon Kennedy. The visitors took the lead soon after that effort although it won't be a goal the Spartans back four will look back upon with any fondness.

Darryl Thomas broke down the left hand side and was given too much time to pick out a cross into the Spartans area. He duly obliged and his inch perfect cross was met by the unmarked Danny Holland and the former Harrogate front man made no mistake from ten yards. Spartans almost hit straight back when a clever through ball from Matthew Wade released Dan Maguire who got to the loose ball ahead of the onrushing Kennedy but could only lift the ball over the bar from the edge of the area.

Midway through the half a corner from Neal Hooks found it's way to the far end of the visitors area and was seized upon by Robbie Dale. He easily beat his marker Joe Leesley but his cross shot just cleared Kennedy's area. As the clock ticked towards the interval Spartans were dealt a blow as Matthew Wade was struck by a stray elbow and had to be taken off suffering from concussion, Craig Hubbard was his replacement and the visitors kept their lead until the break.

Being one goal down was tough enough but within seven minutes the Gladiators had doubled their lead with another soft goal. A long ball forward found Holland on the edge of the Spartans box and he chested down to winger Corey Gregory. The former Stalybridge Celtic man didn't make a great connection with his first time shot but it evaded the dive of Conor Grant and nestled into the far corner.

On the hour mark Spartans got back into the game and remarkably were given their won their fifth penalty in five Evo-Stik Northern Premier League game this season. A loose ball in the visitors area saw Maguire get in before Haggerty had the chance to clear and the Gladiators defender fouled the diminutive forward. Joe Kendrick stepped up and his weak kick was comfortably saved by Kennedy but the rebound fell straight back to the Spartans man who was left with a simple finish.

With twenty minutes left it was game on and Spartans put the visitors under pressure as they went after an equaliser. A Robbie Dale corner from the right was headed just past the far post by Nathan Buddle with several players close to getting on the end of it. As the visitors looked to run down the clock they were dealt a blow as full back Gareth Davies was given a second yellow card for time wasting.

Substitute Ian Watson came on for his Spartans debut and nearly scored with his very first touch. Robbie Dale easily beat Leesley down the right and broke into the area before lashing a ball at goal. Just as Watson looked to have a simple tap in David Haggerty cleared off the line to save his side. It was all Spartans now but they just couldn't force that elusive equaliser and when Arjun Purewal powerfully headed over from twelve yards it seemed all hope had gone.

There was one last golden chance for Spartans though. A curling cross to the far post found Purewal who headed back for Kendrick ten yards from goal. The full back didn't make a great connection and the ball was cleared to ensure that Mark Atkins' side took all three points.

To be fair to the visitors they were well set up and organised against a Spartans side who by manager Tom Wade's own admission "lacked ideas going forward". however it shouldn't be forgotten this is still very much a developing Spartans side and the early stages of the season are a learning curve for Wade's side. The plus for Spartans is that they have a game hot on the heels of this one as they travel to Frickley Athletic on Tuesday night hoping to make amends for a below par performance today.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Arron Wearmouth

Blyth Spartans:

Grant, Buddle(Nolan 72), Parker, Purewal, Kendrick, Mullen, Hooks, Wade(Hubbard 39), Wearmouth(Watson 82), Dale, Maguire

Subs not used:

Airey, Cummings

Scorers:

Kendrick 60

Matlock Town

Kennedy, Davies, Leesley, White(Foster 75), Haggerty, Radford, Gregory, Ashmore, Holland, Thomas(McMahon 15), Needham(Snodin 85)

Subs not used

Leese

Goalscorers

Holland 15, Gregory 52

Referee:

Ian Quinn