Late show from Turnbull seals valuable point for Spartans

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Ilkeston 1-1 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
New Manor Ground
Monday 26th January 2015
Attendance: 816

A late equaliser from Spartans new boy Steven Turnbull ensured that Tom Wade's side took a brave point from a keenly fought contest at Ilkeston. The midfielder netted his first goal for the club in the nintieth minute to ensure that they earned a point at one of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's form sides.

There was plenty of probing and endeavour from both sides in the first twenty minutes as they both played the slick, attacking football they have become renowned for in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. However, it was without reward with neither Peter Jeffries, nor his Robins counterpart Jordan Smith, seriously tested in between the sticks.

The first serious effort on goal came in the twenty sixth minute as Spartans were awarded a free kick twenty five yards from goal. Stephen Turnbull stepped up to take it and could only send his initial effort into the Ilkeston wall. However the ball fell back to the midfielder and his well struck, low drive was easily dealt with by Smith.

Neal Hooks and Stephen Turnbull were looking cool and collected in the centre of the park and were dictating the flow of the game. Hooks in particular, was finding the range of passing that has made him a terrace favourite at Croft Park.

There was a half chance for the hosts on thirty eight minutes as veteran forward Rob Duffy released full back James Reid on the right hand side of the Spartans area. However as the defender cut in on his left foot he could only curl a cross-shot narrowly past Jeffries' far post.

However with little action in the remaining seven minutes of the half the referee brought an end to proceedings on what had been a slightly disappointing first half, although it has to be said Spartans did look comfortable.

Five minutes into the second half there was a big scare for Spartans as Rob Duffy ran on to long clearance and beat Peter Jeffries to the ball. However Nathan Buddle got back to clear the danger as Jeffries collided with the Robins frontman, a collision that saw Duffy injured and replaced immediately by substitute Eddy Samba.

That substitution was to pay immediate dividends for the home side as Samba put them in front. Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson found a yard of space on the edge of the box and struck a low, deflected drive that was well saved by Peter Jeffries. However the rebound fell kindly for Samba as he lashed the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Buoyed by their opener there was another let off for Spartans moments later as another deflected shot fell the way of their hosts. This time Rai Simons had the initial effort and as it rebounded to Fortnam-Tomlinson on the edge of the box but he could only launch the ball well over the bar.

With twelve minutes left on the clock Spartans came close to an equaliser. An incisive pass from Stephen Turnbull released Robbie Dale on the left hand side of the area. He cut in on his right foot, dancing past James Reid in the process but could only curl an effort on to the top of the crossbar from just inside the box.

In their desperation for an equaliser Spartans manager Tom Wade sent Danny Parker on for midfielder Neal Hooks, in a move allowed Nathan Buddle to partner Dan Maguire up front. That move almost paid off with two minutes remaining as Alex Nicholson's cross from the left found it's way to Buddle but he was denied by a brave block from Robins captain Joe Maguire.

There was to be an equaliser for Spartans however and it came in dramatic circumstances with the ninety minute mark on the clock Robbie Dale sent over a sublime cross from the left. That was met by a brilliant flicked header from Steven Turnbull and he duly celebrated his first goal for the club. It was a goal that earned his side the most dramatic, but nonetheless deserved of points.

Ilkeston:

Smith, Reid, Obasiarinse, Baker, Maguire, Lane, Wright, Chettle, Duffy (Samba 57), Fortnam-Tomlinson (Williams 75), Simons (Gorman 87)

Subs not used:

Hodgett-Young, Shaw

Goals:

Samba 58

Spartans:

Jeffries, Dixon, Watson (Nicholson 79), Hutchinson, Buddle, Stp Turnbull, Hooks (Parker 81), Rivers, Maguire, Stv Turnbull, Dale

Subs not used:

Cummings, Perez, Harrison

Goals:

Steven Turnbull 90

Referee:

S Mulhall