Blyth Spartans 3-2 Ashington

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ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Blyth Spartans 3-2 Ashington
Tuesday 8th April
Croft Park
Techflow Group Northumberland Senior Cup Final Semi Final Replay
Att: 620

Damen Mullen's seventy sixth minute penalty put Spartans through to their first Northumberland Senior Cup Final in three years after a thrilling replay against local rivals Ashington. The Colliers took the lead through Andrew Johnson in the twelfth minute and that was a lead they held on to until the interval. However a rejuvenated Spartans came out in the second half and a quickfire double from Nathan Buddle and Ash Davis gave Tom Wade's side a foot in the final before former Spartan Glen Taylor pegged them back. However Mullen's spot kick finally killed off Gary Middleton's side and set up a date with Newcastle United Under 21s.

There was one change from Saturday's home defeat against FC United of Manchester as Ryan Cummings came in for Arjun Purewal at right back. Ashington lined up with two former Spartans paired in attack with Marc Walton and Glen Taylor looking to knock out their former side after coming so close at Woodhorn Lane.

It was the Colliers who set the pace in the open quarter of an hour and after Glen Taylor had seen an effort cleared off the line they took a deserved lead through the impressive Andrew Johnson who proved to a thorn in the side for Spartans all game. The winger latched on to a neat through ball from Kyle Downey and expertly flicked the ball into the far corner past a stranded Conor Grant.

On twenty three minutes Spartans were given a golden opportunity to get back on level terms although it was one that they would squander. Dan Maguire was brought down in the area after going past Colliers keeper Karl Dryden and referee Richard Clark pointed to the spot although only showed Dryden a yellow card when many inside Croft Park expected to see the visitors number one dismissed. Robbie Dale stepped up to take the penalty but could only send it high over the bar much to the frustration of the Green Army.

That miss was almost punished in the best possible way by Ashington as Scott Blandford crashed a ball across the face of the Spartans goal but Glen Taylor just failed to make sufficient contact to force the ball over the line. Marc Walton was the next to be denied four minutes before the break as Grant pulled out an impressive point blank stop after the striker latched on to Johnson's knock down. That save ensured the Colliers only went into half time with a one goal lead; albeit a deserved one.

With the words of Tom Wade and Colin Myers ringing in their ears Spartans looked more determined in the opening stages of the second half. A fantastic volleyed cross field pass from Neal Hooks found Dale on the right. The winger cut inside Blandford before striking left footed just wide of the far post via a deflection from the foot of Colliers defender Ben Christiansen.

Parity was restored on fifty three minutes as Nathan Buddle somehow adjusted his body to head home a Paul Robinson free kick from around ten yards out. Things got even better for Spartans just four minutes later as they took the lead. Robinson was again involved as his far post corner caused havoc in the visitors defence and when a loose ball ran to Ash Davis the former Whitley Bay striker made no mistake crashing home from close range.

With twenty five minutes remaining the Colliers thought they were back on level terms but Walton's header from a David Carson cross was chalked off for a disputable offside flag. Five minutes later though they did get an equaliser and again it was from a right wing cross. However this time it was full back Lance McGlen who crossed to Glen Taylor and the striker made no mistake planting his header inside Grant's near post.

A topsy turvy affair turn another twist with just under fifteen minutes left on the clock as Spartans got the decisive goal from the penalty spot. Robbie Dale jinked into the box and was brought down and again referee Clark pointed to the spot. This time Damen Mullen stepped up and made no mistake crashing into the roof of the net despite Dryden going the right way.

Despite heavy pressure and an increasingly aerial approach from the Colliers there was to be no denying Spartans a place in the final. They will head to St James Park to face Newcastle United Under 21s on Tuesday 22nd April, just twenty four hours after they are scheduled to face Whitby Town at Croft Park in their final Evo-Stik Northern Premier League home game of the season. Any fixture amendment will be announced on the official website as and when they are confirmed.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Damen Mullen

Blyth Spartans:

Grant, Cummings, Watson, Parker, Buddle, Hooks, Mullen, Robinson, Dale, Maguire(Horner 55), Wearmouth(Davis 30)

Subs not used:

Wade, Purewal, Kendrick

Scorers:

Buddle 53, Davis 58, Mullen 76 pen

Ashington:

Dryden, McGlen, Blandford, Oliver, J Taylor, Christiansen, Carson, Downey, Walton, G Taylor, Johnson

Subs not used

Norris, Scott, Glass, Carr, Barnard

Goalscorers

Johnson 12, G Taylor 71

Referee:

Richard Clark