Blyth Spartans 6-0 Skelmersdale United

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ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Blyth Spartans 6-0 Skelmersdale United
Saturday 19th October
Croft Park
FA Trophy First Qualifying Round
Att: 340

It was the joy of six for Spartans as they destroyed Evo-Stik Northern Premier League leaders Skelmersdale United to reach the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. Man of the moment Craig Hubbard led the way with his second hat-trick in a week against Skem and with goals for Joe Kendrick, Dan Maguire and a first for Ash Davis since his return to the club it was a perfect day for everyone at Croft Park.

After Tuesday's excellent home win over Ilkeston it was rather unsurprising that Tom Wade chose to stick with the same lineup who had battled to victory over the Robins. There was a return to the subs bench for Neal Hooks who had been missing from the squad for the win over Kevin Wilson's side.

Spartans started the game on the front foot with dynamic duo Arron Wearmouth and Dan Maguire at the heart of everything exciting that was produced. Just after the ten minute mark Wearmouth played an intricate ball through the defence to release Ash Davis but he was denied by a block from Skem keeper McMahon. A minute later Maguire fizzed a cross in from the left which McMahon spilled and had defender Rob McIntosh to thank for saving his blushes as he prevented Arjun Purewal from tapping home from six yards.

With both teams looking somewhat tentative as the half carried on the game turned into a war of attrition. Astbury had the visitors first chance of the half on twenty eight but couldn't escape the attentions of the impressive Nathan Buddle as the former Marine striker looked to be in on goal. There were signs of indiscipline from the visitors and they paid for them five minutes before the interval. Winger Matty Hughes had been booked for an earlier foul on Wearmouth and after diving in the Spartans area he was shown a second yellow card to leave his side up against it. They did, however manage to hold on until the break and the deadlock remained unbroken. What was to follow was one of the most remarkable halves of football ever witnessed at Croft Park.

Testing efforts from the likes of Damen Mullen, Lewis Horner and Craig Hubbard gave little indication of what was to follow but thirteen minutes into the second period the game not so much burst, more like exploded into action. Having replaced the injured Arron Wearmouth during the latter stages of the first half Robbie Dale came to the fore and after turning his marker inside out on the left he picked out Hubbard with an inch perfect cross. That's not to say the Spartans midfielder had a simple finish but he still managed to crash a wonderful right foot volley into the top right hand corner of McMahon's net.

Three minutes later Hubbard's purple patch continued as he doubled his own tally and Spartans lead with an accurate left foot finish from the edge of the box. The former West Auckland man rounded off a nine minute hat-trick and a perfect one at that on sixty seven and notched his seventh goal in seven days. Six of those have come against Skem and he headed home from close range after Maguire had done superbly to head Dales left wing free kick back across goal.

Croft Park was bouncing and the young Spartans side fed off that energy as they looked to hammer home their authority. They had to be thankful to keeper Michal Misiewicz who produced a world class save as he tipped Strickland's curling effort from the edge of the box on to the far post when it seemed destined for the top corner.

With ten minutes left Wade's side went into overdrive and after the perpetual motion of Maguire had embarrassed Strickland the Spartans forward drove into the right hand side of the visitors area. With the Green Army expecting a shot Maguire picked out the unmarked Ash Davis who coolly rolled the ball home from eight yards for the first goal of his second spell with the club.

United were reduced to nine men with five minutes left as their indiscipline came to the fore yet again. Centre back Rob McIntosh was shown a straight red for something he said to referee Barry Gordon. Spartans took full advantage with the goal of the game two minutes from time. A cute ball into Davis from Robbie Dale saw the front man chest the ball to release the overlapping Joe Kendrick in on goal. He fired across McMahon with a deadly accurate finish and into the far corner via the post.

A perfect day was rounded off in injury time and it was Dan Maguire who celebrated signing a contact at the club with a clinical finish that sums up his growing confidence. Again it was Dale who led the visitors a merry dance and he fired a ball into Maguire on the penalty spot. Taking one touch to steady himself the former Seaton Delaval man crashed into the roof of the net and the Green Army began to look forward to a night celebrating a wonderful win.

It has been a tough three years for Blyth Spartans but the promising signs that have been shown this season will give the club's supporters cause for optimism. Today was a day when Tom Wade's young side showed that they really can be a force to reckon with and they looked dangerous everytime they went forward. Coupled with a solid defensive display the players must now have the belief they can match anyone on their day and they can develop as the side Wade and Myers believe they can be. For the Green Army who have suffered over the past few years there is a chance to bask in a glorious win that have been few and far between over the past two years.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Craig Hubbard

Blyth Spartans:

Misiweicz, Airey, Purewal(Kendrick 74), Buddle, Watson(Parker 77), Mullen, Horner, Hubbard, Wearmouth(Wearmouth 39), Davis, Maguire

Subs not used:

Hooks, Wade

Scorers:

Hubbard 58, 61 and 67, Davis 81, Kendrick 88, Maguire 90+1

Skelmersdale United

McMahon, Strickland, Holden(Morning 64), Hardwick, McIntosh, Dunn, Hughes, Wylie, Astbury(Ahmadi 64), Leadbetter(Slater 77), Holt

Subs not used

Paxton, Simpson

Goalscorers

None

Referee:

Mr Gordon