Grantham Town 4-2 Blyth Spartans

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ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Grantham Town 4-2 Blyth Spartans
Saturday 9th November
South Kesteven Sports Stadium
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Att: 215

Pride, passion and commitment in the face of adversity but ultimately Spartans came away from South Kesteven Sports Stadium empty handed as Grantham Town exacted revenge on Tom Wade's side after suffering a defeat in Northumberland in September. Despite being controversially reduced to ten man after Conor Grant was dismissed for a professional foul Spartans put in a spirited second half display but paid the price for some poor defending during the opening period.

Wade made only one change from Tuesday night's home win over Droylsden as Grant replaced Michal Misiewicz between the sticks after the Canadian Under 23 International suffered a back injury against the Bloods.

On a chilly Lincolnshire afternoon it was Spartans who were caught cold within the first two minutes. Gingerbreads skipper Rhys Lewis released winger Ash Burbeary in on goal and he made no mistake as he lashed past Grant from the edge of the box. Undeterred by making a poor start Spartans hit straight back two minutes later. Grant launched a free kick towards the edge of the hosts area that was flicked on by Robbie Dale. That allowed Sonny Andrews in on goal and the front man coolly rolled the ball past Danny Haystead to get Spartans on even terms.

As the quarter hour mark passed Spartans had a golden chance to go ahead. A Dan Maguire corner from the left saw Haystead flap at the cross. The loose ball fell to Arron Wearmouth but the young winger could only volley over the bar from sixteen yards. That miss was punished almost instantly as Jamie McGhee gave the home side a lead they wouldn't surrender. Full back Jack Andrews broke forward and his pull back found Greg Smith. The striker scuffed a shot goalwards that fortunately found it's way to his strike parter McGhee who rolled the ball into the net past a helpless Conor Grant.

Fifteen minutes before the break the home side extended that was as much down to a lack of concentration in the Spartans defence as it was to anything the Gingerbreads could offer. A free kick from the right wing by Burbeary found an unmarked Smith and he made no mistake to head past Grant from eight yards.

Spartans came within an inch of halving the Gingerbreads lead five minutes before the break as Arjun Purewal flicked a Maguire corner against the far post with Haystead stranded. Then came the most controversial five minutes of the season so far for Wade's side as they found themselves on the wrong end of two debatable decisions. Firstly a long ball into the Spartans area saw Grant come to collect easily only for Smith to pole-axe the former Gretna stopper with no intention of going for the ball. A long pause in play following with Grant visibly shaken and even vomiting on the pitch. Referee Bradshaw inexplicably only showed Smith a yellow card when a more severe punishment seemed likely.

Then came the moment that turned the uphill challenge Spartans faced into something more like an Everest type expedition. Smith was released in on goal and got to the ball before Grant, nicking it past the keeper and just wide of the post. Grant collided with the front man and referee Bradshaw brought back the play to award a spot kick to the home side and dismiss the Spartans keeper. With no back up between the sticks on the bench Arjun Purewal faced the penalty but could do nothing as Burbeary clinically finished with a fine strike into the top right hand corner. The half time whistle went soon after with referee Bradshaw feeling the wrath of the Green Army members pitchside.

Robbie Dale took over from Purewal in goal at half time but Wade gave the same players the chance to make up for a poor first half. They set about the task in fine fashion with Wearmouth and Mullen going close to reducing the arrears within five minutes of the restart. Chances came and went but Spartans were unexpectedly on top. First to every loose ball and putting the home side on the back foot they dominating possession and territory much to the delight of the Spartans faithful.

The hour mark passed and was marked with another chance and again it fell to Mullen. The right back cut inside on his left foot just inside the area but his left foot effort was parried away by Haystead. With twelve minutes left Spartans got the goal their endeavour deserved. A Robbie Dale punt down field saw Wearmouth break into the area under heavy pressure from Miller. The Gingerbreads right back brought down the former Bishop Auckland man and referee Bradshaw awarded the second spot kick of the day. Sonny Andrews stepped up to take the kick but it was well saved by Haystead. However Andrews was first to the loose ball and notched his fourth goal of his loan spell from Spennymoor Town with a straight forward finish.

Sensing a small chance of a remarkable comeback Spartans set siege to the home goal. With two minutes left on the clock Danny Parker saw a header drop just wide of the far post as the centre back got on the end of an Ian Watson cross into the box. The full time whistle drew closer but there was one final chance and it fell to Andrews. A Lewis Horner cross saw Haystead flap again and the loose ball dropped at the striker's feet. However he snatched at the chance and fired over from twelve yards with the Gingerbreads keeper stranded.

That chance was the final action of the game as Bradshaw blew the full time whistle. If league points were awarded for bravery and sheer graft in the face of adversity then Spartans would be travelling back to Northumberland with another three points on the board. In reality they paid the price for some sloppy defensive work and some debatable refereeing decisions as they suffered only their third Evo-Stik Northern Premier League away defeat of the season.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Ian Watson

Grantham Town

Haystead, Miller, Andrews, Hawes, Lister, Towey(Nwadike 63), Burbeary(Meikle 85), Lewis, Smith(Reynolds 70), McGhee, Jackson

Subs not used

Fairclough, Graham

Goalscorers

Burbeary 2 and 44 pen, McGhee 20, Smith 30

Blyth Spartans:

Grant, Mullen(Buddle 75), Purewal, Parker, Watson, Wade, Horner, Wearmouth(Hubbard 87), Dale, Andrews, Maguire

Subs not used:

Kendrick, Hooks, Airey

Scorers:

Andrews 5 and 78

Referee:

D Bradshaw