Blyth Spartans 1 Redditch United 0 (Match Report)

Attendance 458
Blyth Spartans

Mark Bell, Stephen Harrison, John Brackstone, Michael Tait (sub Josh Gillies 66 mins), Gareth Williams, Andrew Leeson, Chris McCabe, Stephen Turnbull, John Alexander, Ian Graham, Simon Todd.
Subs not used
Adrian Webster, Robert Dale Kenny Boyle & Jack Norton

Redditch United

Danny Lewis, Jordan Street (sub Jamie Sheldon 62 mins), Asa Charlton, Lucan Spittle, Liam Francis, Chris Dickenson (sub Aaron Daniels 83 mins), Jack Byrne, David Bridgewater, Gary Hay, Richard Ball, Joe Clarke.
Subs not used
Brad Bullimore, Andy Ducros & Michael Hegarty.

Spartans picked up their first win of the new campaign against Redditch United at Croft Park on Saturday. They had started the season with a very good display away at AFC Telford and but had found Southport too hard to handle in their opening home fixture last Tuesday.

The visitors relied on their height in the penalty area to create the opening chances with Richard Ball causing problems for the Spartans defence volleying narrowly wide.

But the home side were the one's who were slowly getting their passing game together.

Cutting in from the left flank, John Alexander drilled a fifth-minute effort straight at Redditch keeper Danny Lewis, and the Spartans striker was unfortunate moments later when, sent clear by Simon Todd, Liam Francis conjured a fine, goal-saving tackle to block his close-range shot.

Spartans should have taken the lead when Mike Tait's powerful header rebounded off the underside of the cross bar after a centre from captain Gareth Williams.

The visitors still caused problems at the back for the home with their direct play. Ball and Byrne combined to feed Gary Hay, whose effort was snuffed out by Stephen Harrison.

Spartans had a big let off at the start of the second half. Mark Bell mishandling a David Bridgewater free-kick and Williams was forced to hack clear as the ball neared the goal-line. Byrne then volleyed wide.

Spartans got the all important breakthrough on the hour mark. After good passing play out of their own half, when Stephen Turnbull's cross from the left was blocked, Tait's looping centre evaded the lanky Lucan Spittle for the smallest player on the pitch Ian Graham to head past Danny Lewis from six yards.