Match Report | Spartans’ struggles continue as Guiseley hit four

BY Stephen Burton

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

Vanarama National League North

Monday August 26, 2019

Blyth Spartans 1-4 Guiseley

Aaron Martin scored twice as Guiseley took the points in 4-1 victory at Croft Park, which leaves Spartans still searching for their first win of the season.

Despite an even
first half, Spartans fell behind on 38 minutes as Lee Shaw fired low past
Nathan Harker from the edge of the box.

The
visitors then doubled their advantage just before the hour mark as Martin
headed home a corner, before an unfortunate own goal by Lewis Ritson made it
3-0 eight minutes later.

Robbie Dale
pulled one back with a smart finish on 70 minutes but any faint hopes of a
Spartans comeback were extinguished just five minutes later as Martin grabbed
his second from the penalty spot.

After
earning a point at Bradford PA on Saturday, Spartans were left counting the
cost of a number of injuries as Lee Clark could only name three substitutes.

However
this did not prevent Spartans starting strongly, with Scott Fenwick firing over
from a decent position within the first minute.

The hosts
then had claims for a penalty as Fenwick looked to have been fouled by Guiseley
stopper George Sykes-Kenworthy as they challenged for a high ball, only for the
referee James Westgate to signal for a Guiseley free kick, much to the dismay
of the home support.

The
visitors began to grow into the game and after 24 minutes almost took the lead
through Aram Soleman, but he could only fire over from eight yards.

Both sides
looked dangerous in an open game, but it was the visitors who struck first
after breaking from a Spartans corner. Sykes-Kenworthy claimed well and
launched a quick throw out to Shaw who bared down on the Spartans defence
before cutting inside and slotting past Harker into the bottom corner.

Before the
half was out Guiseley had two more chances to double their advantage, with
Martin wasting the first when he put a point blank header wide, and then Harker
was on hand to produce a fantastic stop when Shaw was put through on goal.

Spartans
started the second half well and Adam Wrightson almost grabbed an equalizer on
48 minutes but he could not quite get the decisive touch as Dale played the
ball across goal.

The hosts
began to put Guiseley under pressure but were undone on the hour mark when Soleman's
corner was headed in by an unmarked Martin, who atoned for his earlier miss.

Spartans then
conceded an unfortunate third just nine minutes later. The impressive Harker
pulled out a fine stop from Martin, only for the ball to be hit back into the
danger area where the ball ricocheted off Lewis Ritson into the net.

Dale
provided Spartans with some hope just one minute later as he made no mistake
when one-on-one with Sykes-Kenworthy, and the comeback almost appeared on as
Wrightson fired an effort across goal only for Olly Scott to come within inches
of converting into an empty net.

However, as
the crowd sensed a grandstand finish, hope was ultimately extinguished on 75
minutes as the referee awarded visitors a penalty after a foul on Martin, with
the Guiseley striker tucking away from 12 yards and securing all three points
for the visitors.

Spartans' defeat leaves them at the foot of the table with one point from their first six games ahead of Saturday's trip to Leamington.

Spartans: Harker, Horner (Evans, 78), Scott, Hutchinson (Orrell, 44), Ritson, Devitt, Wrightson, Robson, Fenwick, Mouanda, Dale. Sub not used: Foden.

Goal: Dale (69)

Guiseley: Sykes-Kensworthy, McNally, Nicholson, Barkers, Bencherif, Garner, Shaw (Scrivens, 87), Spencer, Martin, Soleman, Johnson. Subs not used: Clayton. Allinson, Starcenko, Digie.

Goals: Shaw (38), Martin (58, 74), Ritson OG (67)

Referee: James Westgate