Gladiators stalemate frustrates Spartans

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ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Blyth Spartans 0-0 Matlock Town
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Croft Park
Tuesday 14th April 2015
Attendance: 467

The unbeaten run goes on for Spartans but in reality their stalemate against Matlock Town was two points dropped. If this was really Spartans against Gladiators then it was far from an epic battle and whilst the result is now in the history books, it won't be a clash that anyone will be in a rush to remember.

A game of a somewhat tedious nature was played out, with the home side left frustrated by a combination of disrupted play and being unable to impose their usual style of play on the game.

Spartans started brightly, buzzing with enthusiasm on a pleasantly mild Northumberland evening. The first chance came quickly as in the second minute Dan Maguire found some space on the left hand side of the Gladiators area but his timid shot, aimed at the far corner of Jon Kennedy's net, was comfortably saved by the veteran keeper.

However, that initial enthusiasm subsided and the game fell into a monotonous routine of misplaced passes and sloppy play from both sides. Spartans trying to get their passing game going, with their visitors looking to make the most of their physical strength with striker Danny Holland proving to be a handful for the Spartans back four.

There was a let off for Spartans as the half hour mark approached. A long ball into their area by Otis Khan saw Danny Parker misjudge the flight of the ball and it bounced over the centre back to allow Danny Holland a sight of goal but the striker fired over from ten yards.

The home side finally created a second chance of the game as the events finally began to unfold after a long spell of outright boredom. Robbie Dale found space on the edge of the Town area and played an intelligent ball to Michael Richardson and the former Newcastle United man cut inside two challenges but firing at the near post. A slight deflection off Adam Yates made things uncomfortable for Kennedy but the former Gateshead stopper saved well low down to his right.

As referee Craig Dean brought down the curtain on the first half, he did so to a chorus of boos from the Croft Park faithful as they vociferously showed their disapproval at the performance of the official. It was, in all honesty, a relief to get to half time, such was the scrappy nature of a half that won't live long in the memory of those in attendance.

The first half's morose nature was replicated in the early stages of the second but it was the visitors who created the first chance ten minutes in. The Gladiators direct approach again caused problems as full back Micky Harcourt bounced in behind the Spartans back four. Holland found some space and his angled volley forced Nick Thomson to tip the ball away to safety at his near post.

The pressure was all one way and to the frustration of the Green Army it wasn't their side applying it. Again the visitors came and it was a cross from the right by Otis Khan that caught the Spartans back four sleeping but their weary nature was matched by Gladiators striker Holland and the chance passed him by at the far post.

Spartans thought they had taken the lead with twelve minutes remaining as Robbie Dale sent in a free kick from the right that caused havoc in the visitors back four. The ball eventually found its way to substitute Ash Davis and the striker prodded the ball goalwards. Michael Richardson made sure the ball sneaked inside the far post and set off wild celebrations inside Croft Park, however they were cut short by the linesman on the Port of Blyth side of the pitch.

Spartans ramped up the pressure with the clock ticking into injury time. A wonderful cross from the left hand side by Jarrett Rivers found the head of Robbie Dale and the long-serving winger flicked the ball towards the far post but was denied by an sublime save by Kennedy as he flung himself across goal to tip the ball away.

That proved to be the last action of a frustrating night for Spartans, with referee Dean incurring the wrath of the Green Army for a questionable performance. In truth, their annoyance was maybe caused by a combination of a number of factors, not least their side being unable to break down the Gladiators defence.

Three games remain, starting with a tricky looking trip to Witton Albion on Saturday. The play-offs hope are still there but Spartans are still hoping for a slip from their rivals.

Spartans:

Thomson, Nicholson, Mullen, Parker, Bramley, Hooks, Richardson, Dale, Maguire, Wade (Davis 65), Rivers

Subs not used:

Wearmouth, Watson, Turnbull, Lynch

Goals:

Matlock Town:

Kennedy, Harcourt, Radford, Cribley, Yates, Banton, Khan, Travis (Meade 90), McDonagh, Holland (Sabo 90), McManus

Subs not used:

Maxfield, Hume, Gaughan

Goals:

Referee:

Craig Dean