Match Report | Blyth Spartans 1-2 North Shields | Pre-Season Friendly | 2024/25

By Stephen Burton

Two first-half goals cost Spartans dear as they slipped to defeat at a rain-soaked Daren Persson Stadium in their second outing of pre-season.

It was a tale of two former Spartans for the hosts as Jamie Holmes put North Shields ahead on 20 minutes before Lee Mason struck just before halftime.

Nicky Deverdics pulled one back from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half after Charlie Aitken was fouled in the box.

Nobby Solano's side were looking to build on Saturday's win against Newcastle Benfield, with Harrison Clark and Nicky Deverdics coming into the team.

It was a quiet opening 15 minutes with both sides struggling to fashion any opportunities, however, it was Spartans that threatened first through the impressive Charlie Aitken - the winger cutting inside from the left and pulling an effort wide of the target.

Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Blyth in the first half, as the home side struck first five minutes later. In a similar scenario to Aitken, Holmes picked up the ball on the left, cut in, but fired his shot into the bottom corner.

The goal failed to spark the game into life, as it continued in the same pattern, until the final 10 minutes of the half as the hosts pushed for a second.

Mason saw an ambitious effort from halfway drift harmlessly wide, before popping up again much closer to the goal just before the interval, latching on to a through ball to finish clinically past Michael Hogan.

Blyth's misery was compounded as Lucas Reed was forced off with injury just a few minutes before the break.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-2 North Shields

The second half was a different story for the Spartans, as they looked much improved. Aitken, having switched over to the right, drove at the Shields' defence and left them for dead as he raced through on goal, however, his shot was straight at the keeper.

However, all was not lost, as the referee adjudged the winger to have been pushed and promptly pointed to the spot, with Deverdics converting.

Blyth was on top, although Lewis Suddick provided a reminder of Shields' threat as he saw a shot deflect narrowly wide from close range 10 minutes into the second half.

Almost immediately after, Spartans had a great chance to level through their substitute trialist. His initial shot from the left-hand side was blocked, before he latched onto the rebound, took an excellent touch past the defender and fired at goal - only to be denied by a brilliant goal-line block.

He proved to be a constant thorn in the Shields backline as moments later he went close again, the keeper denying him this time as he tipped his shot wide after a great flick from Michael Woods played him in.

Spartans continued to push with several dangerous deliveries, however, that was as close as they got to finding an equaliser as Blyth fell to a defeat, with the focus now falling on Friday's visit of Gateshead to Croft Park.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 1-2 North Shields

Blyth Spartans | Michael Hogan (Trialist 45'), Joe Oliver, Harrison Clark (Ben Milburn 45'), Ryan Donaldson, Trialist (Trialist 45'), Michael Woods (Trialist 65'), Nicky Deverdics © (Trialist 65'), Lucas Reed (Trialist 39'), Billy Gordon (Trialist 45'), Charlie Aitken (Trialist 70'), Trialist (Trialist 56')

Goals | Nicky Deverdics 47'

North Shields |

Goals | Jamie Holmes 20', Lee Mason 44'

Blyth Spartans next face off against Gateshead at Croft Park on Friday, July 19 2024, with a 7:30pm kick-off.