Blyth Spartans 1 Alfreton Town 4 (Match Report)

Saturday 28th August 2010

Attendance - 462

Blyth -

Jake Cunningham, Stephen Harrison (sub Nicky Deverdics 74 mins), Phil Cave, Michael Tait, Chris Swailes, Wayne Buchanan, Ian Graham (sub John Alexander 82 mins), Stephen Turnbull, Paul Brayson (C), Calvin Smith, Robert Dale (sub Liam O'Mahoney 82 mins).
Subs not used - Dan Groves & Callum Morris.

Alfreton -

Paddy Gamble, Josh Law, Chris Shaw, Aden Flint, Darren Stride(C), Mathew Wilson (sub Jordon Hall 89 mins), Jake Moult (sub Liam Hearn 58 mins), Anton Brown, Paul Clayton (sub Nathan Arnold 78 mins), Anthony Wilson, Connor Franklin.
Subs not used - Ian Ross & Christopher Hall.

Ref -Mr Beswick Newton Aycliffe

Spartans were left ruing the missed second half chances which could easily have seen them pick up their first win of the season. If it was not for two penalties the home side could have equal.

The visitors were ahead on 3 minutes. Chris Shaw's punt into the box was headed down by Anthony Wilson for Jake Moult to turn the ball home.

Blyth rallied and Stephen Turnbull tested Town's keeper Paddy Gamble with a curling free kick on 12 minutes.

But disaster befell Mick Tait junior on 25 minutes. A long throw in from the right by Jordon Hall was flicked across the 6 yard area by Matthew Wilson only for the stooping Tait trying to clear the danger head the ball past his own keeper Jake Cunningham.

Blyth got heir goal only 3 minutes later. A Stephen Harrison hard cross into the near post was headed into his own net by Alfreton defender Aden Flint.

After the break Spartans looked up for a fight and played at last with some purpose.

Turnbull found Paul Brayson on the back post his ball across the box found Robert Dale, but he hooked over from 10 yards.

On 55 minutes Cunningham missed judged the pace of striker Paul Clayton and upended the Alfreton player in the penalty area. Moult converting the spot kick.

In fact after 3 -1 down, the Spartans played their best and created the best chances. Wayne Buchanan found Tait unmarked at the far post, but Tait pulled his shot wide.

On the hour mark, Brayson let loose with a left foot rocket which rebounded off the upright straight to Ian Graham but from 5 yards he managed to slice his effort over.

Dale then set up Turnbull whose effort came of the post for Tait who then saw Gamble turn over his first time effort.

But the game was up for the home side with 15 minutes left. Chris Swailes tripped Wilson in the box and substitute Liam Hearn converted the spot kick.

The last chance fell to Dale who followed up a Phil Cave's effort which had hit the post, only for Dale's effort to be blocked on the line.