Grantham Town 2-2 Blyth Spartans

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ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Grantham Town 2-2 Blyth Spartans
Saturday 10th November
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
South Kesteven Sports Stadium
Attendance: 255

Damon Mullen's first ever Spartans goal ensured that his side secured a point that was well deserved in a hard fought game against Grantham Town. The hosts were buoyed by their impressive 2-0 win at high flying Witton Albion last Saturday whilst Spartans also took three points from their last fixture beating Stafford Rangers on the same day, that meant that it was a game between two sides showing more confidence after recent poor runs of form.

Spartans managerial duo Paddy Atkinson and Tom Wade rang the changes with Tom Berj replacing the injured Shaun Vipond and Phil Airey partnering Ryan McGorrigan up front. Top scorer Craig Farrell was joined on the subs bench by recent signing Jack Stanger who would come on to make his Spartans debut just days after joining from Northern League side Consett.

It would be Spartans who would start the strong and had two chances in the first five minutes. A Shaun Utterson throw in would find Ryan McGorrigan on the angle of the host's box and he span his marker Deon Meikie. Unfortunately McGorrigan was unable to add to his two Spartans goals(for now anyway) as he dragged his shot just wide of the near post. Two minutes later and it would be Utterson himself who would have the next chance as he latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and curled an effort just wide. Spartans had started well but would fall behind just after the twenty minute mark.

Town full back Lee Potts took an vicious corner kick that found an unmarked Rhys Lewis on the penalty spot and he fired into the roof of the net to put the home side ahead slightly against the run of play. On the half hour mark Spartans nearly got back on level terms as they had a chance with a corner of their own. It would be Neal Hooks cross from the right that would find Robbie Dale at the far side of the area, he jinked past Town defender Purcicoe but his goalward effort was blocked by the Gingerbreads' captain Sam Saunders. So Spartans would go into the interval a goal down but there were plenty of positives to take from a first period where they had had the better chances but one defensive lapse had cost them.

A half time change brought not only a change in personel but also a change in formation for Spartans. Phil Airey was replaced Joe Kendrick as Atkinson and Wade sought to take control of the game and they managed exactly that. From the restart the hardworking Tom Berj won a ball in midfield and released Lee Mason in on goal. The former Hartlepool United winger rounded the host's goalkeeper Lindley but was forced wide and his shot was cleared off the line by Purcicoe. However there would be no mistake on fifty one minutes as a quick throw from Utterson found Robbie Dale who chipped over his marker and found an unmarked Ryan McGorrigan. With a finished that belied his youthful age the former Newcastle United academy striker dinked the ball over Lindley from twelve yards and despite the keeper getting a hand to it, the ball still dropped into the net. A third goal in four games for McGorrigan who is fast becoming a fan favourite at Croft Park.

It was all about Spartans now and they had three golden chances in the same moved to take the lead and it was Dale at the heart of it as he was released on the left hand channel by Mullen. Dale calmly rolled the ball to McGorrigan on the edge of the box and he forced a wonderful saved from Lindley, however the Town stopper could only parry the ball to Mason and his well hit shot was again saved by Lindley. Again he couldn't hold on and the ball rebounded to Mason again who fired over from the penalty spot.

Both sides were pressing for superiority and whilst it would be Atkinson's side who were playing the better football, the home side were always dangerous with their direct play and set pieces. As the club ticked down it would be the Gingerbreads who took a lead that was again against the run of play. A cross from the right from Lewis saw it pinging around the Spartans area. Darryll Donnelly headed clear but the ball rebounded to full back Potts and he looped a header over Utterson on the line. Many a recent Spartans side would have folded at that point but to their credit Atkinson and Wade seem to be installing a new team spirit into their Blyth Spartans and it would be that spirit coupled with the more impressive football on show from their side that would them a point.

The impressive duo of Utterson and Berj combined on the edge of the hosts' box saw the latter play a ball through the eye of a needle to Damon Mullen. The winger was in one and one and his impressive first touch ensured that he was left with a simple finish past Lindley to send the Spartans contingent(consisting fans from Northumberland, Yorkshire, the Midlands and remarkably France) into raptures. A draw was the very least Spartans deserved as their continue their recent improvement under Atkinson and Wade and now face Whitley Bay on Tuesday night in the Quarter Final of the Northumberland Senior Cup.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Shaun Utterson

Grantham Town:

Lindley, Purcicoe(McGee 69), Potts, Meikle, Saunders, Watt, Lewis, Ball, Grimes, Higginson, Magee

Subs not used:

Saunders, Robinson, Nwadike, Demidh

Goalscorers

Lewis 21, Potts 84

Blyth Spartans:

Grant, Utterson, Mullen, Buchanan, Donnelly, Hooks, Dale, Berj, McGorrigan(Farrell 65), Mason(Stanger 72), Airey(Kendrick 45)

Subs not used:

Maguire, Mellish

Scorer:

McGorrigan 51, Mullen 88

Referee:

J Thornhill