Blyth Spartans 4 North Shields 0 (Match Report)

Stephen Turnbull (pictured left) returned from suspension to claim the match ball in a convincing win over North Shields in the Quarter Final of the Northumberland Senior Cup.

Robbie Dale scored the other goal in a game which Blyth controlled from start to finish in front of an impressive crowd of 341 at Croft Park.

In the first chance of the game Dan Groves saw his header flash just wide of the upright after a diagonal ball by Stephen Turnbull.

Turnbull then had a free-kick that went just over the bar. However, North Shields weren't so lucky minutes later when the referee blew for another foul for Martin Graham's tackle on Neal Hooks. The Shields player was booked and Turnbull stepped up to strike his free-kick around the wall and in to the bottom corner to give Blyth the lead.

North Shields retained possession well on a difficult surface but the Blyth defence limited the away side to long range shots with Mark Rasmussen testing Jake Cunningham from 25 yards.

Blyth began to dominate the half with Robbie Dale in particular a constant threat to the North Shields back four with his trademark mazy runs through the defence. Dale got his reward two minutes before the break when after a one two with Groves he curled a superb shot in to the top corner of Robinson's net from the just inside the area.

After the interval Blyth kept up the pressure and Turnbull grabbed his second on 50 minutes when he passed the ball in from ten yards following a low cross from Michael Tait.

The visitors' best chance fell to Jonathan Hall but he couldn't beat Cunningham at his near post.

Groves should have made it four when Dale played him through but he opted to try and chip Robinson when one on one and the ball went straight in to the hands of the keeper.

North Shields captain Keith Douglas had an effort that just curled past the post. At the other end Dale went on an unbelievable run but was eventually crowded out before he was able to pull the trigger.

History was made when Eoin Ridley (pictured right) replaced Hooks to make his debut in a green and white shirt. The 17 year old is a product of the Spartans youth systems and has represented Blyth at every junior level.

Turnbull got his hat-trick with five minutes remaining when he slid the ball under the body of Robinson following a neat pass by left back Phil Cave.

It was a pleasing night for Mick Tait who said after the game: "It was our intention to keep the ball and try and make them work hard which I thought we did well. We kept our discipline and didn't concede which is always good for confidence."

The result means Blyth have won seven out of their last eight games and not conceded a goal at home in over 450 minutes of football. Blyth return to league action on Saturday when they make the trip to Lincolnshire to face Gainsborough Trinity, with Spartans looking to avenge a 3-1 defeat at Croft Park in October.

Blyth Spartans: Cunningham, Morris, Cave, Tait, Swailes, Buchanan, Hooks, (Ridley), Turnbull, Groves, Deverdics, Dale.

MOM: Cave

North Shields: Robinson, Hall, Patterson, Graham (Livermore), Akinbolu, Watson, Luccock, Rasmussen, Hay (S. Robinson), Douglas, Pattison (Benson).

MOM: Rasmussen

Attendance: 341

Referee: Mr Buglass