Match Report | Blyth Spartans 1-5 Brackley Town | National League North | 2023/34

Credit: Bill Broadley

On the final day of the season, Blyth Spartans were defeated 5-1 at home to Brackley Town, which inevitably confirmed their relegation from the National League North due to results elsewhere in the league.

Morgan Roberts completed a brace within 14 minutes and within 31 minutes Danny Newton also had his. Nicky Deverdics' penalty in the second half pulled one back for Blyth, but 15 minutes later Dan Turner gave Brackley a fifth.

The Spartans made three changes from Saturday's 5-1 defeat to Scunthorpe with Alex Mitchell, JJ Hooper and Will McGowan all returning to the starting lineup replacing Michael Hogan, Oli Thompson and Joe Oliver.

Brackley started the game on the front foot as Alex Mitchell was forced into an early save after a powerful header from Gareth Dean was sent goalwards from the inswing corner by Tommy O'Sullivan.

Morgan Roberts opened the scoring after eight minutes with a volley across the floor from the edge of the box following the assist from Danny Newton.

Roberts doubled the lead with a second six minutes last as Connor Hall found him for a well-finished effort.

Two minutes later Hall thought he made it three-nil to the visitors as he put the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside.

The Spartans tried to go forward as Jordan Hickey sent a searching ball into the box, but it went over the heads of both JJ Hooper and Luke James.

Soon after Newton made it three-nil to Brackley as he met Tommy O'Sullivan's header at the back post to steer a header in at the near post.

Blyth's first chance of the game came 30 minutes in as Will McGowan struck a shot on goal from the edge of the area, which was deflected wide from a corner, which the Spartans failed to capitalise on.

It quickly became four-nil to Brackley as Newton scored again, this time picking up the ball outside the box and shooting on the turn across the goal which found the far corner.

Brackley continued to attack through Tyler Lyttle as he struck the ball from the edge of the area which flashed wide of the near post.

They then had another goal chalked out for offside as they could have gone into the half-time break five-nil up.

Half-time: Blyth Spartans 0-4 Brackley Town

Blyth Spartans looked at their best all game at the start of the second as McGowan had an effort blocked, which fell to the patch of Hooper who got a shot away, but it was easily saved by Danny Lewis.

Mitchell was tested for the first time this half as he made a comfortable catch to claim Riccardo Calder's cross.

Lirak Hasani then had a shot from outside the box which was hit down the middle of the goal and collected by Lewis.

Just after the hour mark, Blyth were awarded a penalty after James was brought down. Skipper Deverdics took the penalty and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

The Saints scored again as substitute Dan Turner scored within a minute of coming onto the pitch with his first touch of the ball as he tapped it into the goal at the back post following Newton beating two Blyth defenders at the touchline and fizzed the ball to the back post.

Turner almost got a second as he rounded Mitchell and was nearly on for a shot at an open net until Finn Cousin-Dawson recovered well to put in a last-ditch tackle to send the ball behind for a corner.

The Spartans kept on trying to attack as Jack Bodenham's header at the back post was headed across the face of the goal.

Mcgowan was then brought down on the edge of the box and a free-kick was awarded, which Deverdics took but hit straight at Lewis.

The final action of play in National League North for the Spartans was when McGowan sent an early cross into the box which sailed over the head of James and collected by Lewis.

A defeat to Brackley Town coincided with Farsley Celtic's 2-0 win over Buxton meant Blyth Spartans were confirmed relegated from the National League North.

Full-time: Blyth Spartans 1-5 Brackley Town

Blyth Spartans | Alex Mitchell, Rhys Evans, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Jack Bodenham, Jordan Hickey, JJ Hooper, Elliot Forbes, Nicky Deverdics ©, Luke James, Will McGowan, Lirak Hasani (Oli Thompson 67')

Subs not used | Charlie Aitken, Billy Gordon, Jon Shaw, Michael Hogan

Goals | Nicky Deverdics 62'

Brackley Town | Danny Lewis, Tyler Lyttle, Gareth Dean ©, Zak Lilly (Alex Gudger 79'), Riccardo Calder, Alfie Bates, Tommy O'Sullivan, Morgan Roberts (Jimmy Armson 45'), Danny Newton, Connor Hall (Dan Turner 75'), George Carline

Subs not used | Cosmas Matwasa, Liam Cross

Goals | Mogan Roberts 8' 14', Danny Newton 24' 31', Dan Turner 76'

Attendance | 1416

Referee | Richard Holmes