Deadly Dale does for Daniels

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Blyth Spartans 4-3 Stamford
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Croft Park
Saturday 5th September 2015
Attendance: 550

In a quite frankly bizarre ninety minutes that was Blyth Spartans home fixture with Stamford, Robbie Dale proved to be calmness personified as his deadly hat-trick earned his side all three points in a seven goal thriller.

Dale, at his unplayable best, was the inspiration as his treble, coupled with an early goal of the season contender from Alex Nicholson, saw off a dogged, determined and organised Daniels outfit.

The win, however it was attained, meant that Spartans bounced back from Monday's defeat, their first of the season, at Darlington in the best possible way.

And they almost made the perfect start.

Dan Maguire and Michael Richardson combined well with just a minute on the clock but former Newcastle United midfielder Richardson could only fire into the side netting from an ever-increasing angle.

The lead did come on seven minutes with a goal that would grace any competition in the world, and it wouldn't be the last goal of the day that could lay claim to that honour.

Alex Nicholson collected the ball inside his own half before playing a one-two with Richardson. That allowed Nicholson to burst towards the Daniels area and surge past two defenders before slamming the ball inside the near post with his left foot. An impressive goal all played out to a growing crescendo of noise from the vast majority of those inside Croft Park.

The lead didn't last long, four minutes in fact.

Daniels striker Gregg Smith, a thorn in Spartans side for many a game over the last two years, saw a shot blocked on the edge of the area. The rebound fell kindly for Cameron Powell and he made no mistake, rolling the ball through Adam McHugh's legs.

Parity lasted about as long as Spartans lead, although when it was broken, much to the annoyance of the Croft Park faithful, it was the visitors who took the lead.

The pace and power of Ryan Robbins allowed him to skip across the edge of the Spartans area, avoiding three challenges that were best described as weak, before finishing easily past McHugh.

That goal was the signal for Dale to take the limelight in a way only he can.

The winger collected the ball just inside the Daniels half before slaloming his way towards the area and providing a forceful finish that left Richard Knight with no chance.

Dale, clearly annoyed at his side's capability to give away soft goals, simply collected the ball from the net and got the ball ready for the restart, this was business time, not a time for celebration.

As half time approached Spartans were dominant and despite Maguire, Dillon Morse and Richardson all going close parity remained going into the interval.

The Daniels fired the first warning shots of the second half.

Robbins, booked late in the first half for simulation, tried his luck with a powerful effort that McHugh was equal to just two minutes into the half.

The Dale took over again.

But this time his goal owed much to the power, persistence and determination of Dan Maguire as he collected a lofted pass forward under pressure from Lewis Carr before rolling the ball back to Dale on the edge.

The skipper made no mistake rolling the ball just inside the near post, although Knight may feel he could have done better.

With the game toing and froing the next real action wasn't until twelve minutes from time as Spartans contrived to concede another goal that was more about their defending than it was about any stylish attacking play.

A long ball forward from Dalton Bettles brought hesitancy from Danny Parker and Adam McHugh. That, coupled with the onrushing Gregg Smith, brought a collision between the trio with the ball running agonisingly over the line, with Smith taking the credit for getting his side back on level terms.

Again the parity was short-lived as Dale delivered a final blow to the Daniels.

Nicholson floated a cross in from the right that evaded Maguire, Richardson and two Daniels defenders before dropping at the feet of Dale on the left hand side of the area.

His first touch was simply immaculate, his second produced a sublime chip over Knight (pictured above) and into the net as he completed one of the finest hat-tricks you could wish to see.

With five minutes of injury time signalled a strange calmness went around the Spartans side as they realised the job was done as long as they remained strong.

They did exactly that and now head to a stern test of their promotion credentials when they travel to Salford City on Tuesday night.

Blyth Spartans:

McHugh, Nicholson, Morse (Parker 50), Watson, Hutchinson, Turnbull, Richardson (Reid 82), Wearmouth, Maguire, Wade , Dale

Subs not used:

Hooks, Mullen, McNamee

Goals:

Nicholson 7, Dale (24,51 and 80)

Spartans star man:

Robbie Dale

Stamford:

Knight, Challinor, Rawdon, Powell (Hall 58), Bettles (Staff 82), Carr, Bell, Hicks, Smith, Clements (Gould 90) Robbins

Subs not used:

Neil, Bentley

Goals:

Powell 11, Robbins 16, Smith 78

Stamford star man

David Bell

Entertainment value:

5/5

Referee:

Mr Ellis