Blyth Spartans 4 AFC Telford United 0 (Match Report)

Blyth Spartans manager Mick Tait handed a full debut to Neal Hooks and drafted in Darren Craddock to replace the suspended Stephen Harrison, who sat out the first of his three game suspension for his sending off in the recent Stafford Rangers match.

The former York City man, Craddock, was quickly in the thick of the action as his throw-in found Michael Tait on the left edge of the penalty area, a clever turn and a sharp turn of pace saw Tait in on goal, but his shot flashed just past the far post.

On 16 minutes Blyth took the lead, a debatable free kick on the edge of the box was struck fiercely by Captain Gareth Williams. The free kick was too hot for Ryan Young to hold and Ian Graham was on hand to stab the ball home from the 'keepers feet to score his tenth goal of the season.

With the first half drawing to close another soft free kick on the edge of the box saw star striker Paul Brayson fire in a fine free kick which went in off the post, leaving Young with no chance.

Half Time 2-0

The start of the second half saw Spartans happier to soak up the Telford pressure and attempt to hit the visitors on the break, as the half went on they though took a strangle hold on the game and wrapped up the points with two excellent strikes within four minutes.

The first, on 72 minutes, saw Ian Graham turn smartly the edge of the box, to free himself some space before producing a dinked left foot curling shot which Young got a hand to, but was unable to prevent to going to the top corner.

If the game was still in any doubt, this was removed on 76 minutes as Paul Brayson raced onto a excellent Michael Tait through ball and sent a lob over keeper Young, which beat the retreating Stuart Whitehead, whose efforts to try and clear the ball saw him entangled into the net.

The action wasn't over though as an injury time skirmish involving Stephen Turnbull and Telford's Sean Evans, saw the Telford man given a red card for stamping, with the Blyth man picking up a booking for pushing his opponent.

Full Time 4-0

BLYTH SPARTANS: Norton, Craddock (Gillies), Brackstone, Tait, Williams, Pell, Hooks, Turnbull, Brayson, Graham, Dale. Man of Match: Brayson.

Subs (not used): Todd, Alexander, Bates, Bell

Att: 489.