Match Report | Stafford Rangers 0-1 Blyth Spartans

By Glen Maxwell

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

Evo-Stik Premier League

Saturday April 1 2017

Stafford Rangers 0-1 Blyth Spartans

Blyth Spartans battled to a crucial 1-0 win over a plucky Stafford Rangers side, thanks to a second half tap-in from Sean Reid.

Daniel Maguire

cut the ball back for the midfielder to score Blyth's 99th league goal of the season on 56 minutes and it was all that separated the two sides, in fairness - as Rangers defied their mid-table standing in the Evo-Stik Premier League and pushed the visitors all the way.

However, to the relief of the Spartans management team, Blyth escaped from Stafford with a vital three points and put themselves just five points away to the winning the league.

Ryan Hutchinson was deployed at right-back for the trip to Marston Road, while Robert Dale made a welcome return on the left side of midfield. Meanwhile, David McTiernan was rewarded for his goal against Ilkeston with a start alongside S Reid in the centre of the park.

Spartans had faced a long trip down for the game and it nearly got off to the worst possible start, when a tackle from Dale unknowingly played in Kyle Perry. The striker hit his effort well wide of goal though.

The away side had to wait until the eighth minute for their first real chance of the afternoon and it came from Jarrett Rivers' corner. His ball in picked out the leaping S Reid, but his header just cleared the crossbar.

In a fairly uneventful first quarter of an hour, Blyth had to wait until the 17th minute for their next chance. Dale played in Daniel Maguire from Rivers' short free kick, but 'Nipa' could only flash a shot wide across goal - after turning back inside onto his right.

Rangers were desperately unlucky not to take the lead four minutes later, when Jack Sherratt raced through Blyth's back-line and was thwarted only by a block from Michael Liddle. Kieran Morris then headed onto the bar from the resulting corner, before Hutchinson was able to clear - following a mishit rebound from Brian Barton.

Maguire put Rivers in with a back-heel on 25 minutes, but Adam Whitehouse was able to parry the ball away to safety when the winger tried his luck from a tight angle.

Perry chested the ball down to Barton on the half-hour mark - as part of a one-two with his strike partner - before blasting the ball of Nathan Buddle's back. Stafford shouted for a penalty for handball, but referee Mark Howes ignored their pleas.

Spartans had a golden chance to break the deadlock two minutes later, following a fantastic dribble from Maguire. He cut the ball back across goal, but Rivers was unable to get a foot on the ball to divert it into an empty net.

Rangers then denied Dale twice within two minutes. His first time rocket was blocked well by a Stafford body, before his next shot was hacked off the line by Tyler Lyttle.

Rivers was next to try his luck on 36 minutes, when he jinked in and out as he ran at goal and then shot low from the edge of Rangers' area. However, Whitehouse did well to keep well to keep it out with his feet.

Paul Woolston produced an even more impressive save with three minutes of the first half to go, when Jake Heath tried to curl a free kick in from 19 yards. The on-loan Newcastle United goalkeeper was able to get across and keep his clean sheet intact with an outstanding one-handed save down low to his left.

Both sides started the second half well and each had a chance to go ahead through a set-piece within the first five minutes of the restart.

Kris Taylor's free kick evaded everyone bar Matthew Bailey at the back post, but his header looped up and went harmlessly over the bar. Dale's quickly taken set-piece was then met by the head of Hutchinson, which forced a fine fingertip stop from Whitehouse.

Stafford's stopper had to be at his best to deny Rivers again on 55 minutes, but there was nothing he could do when Spartans finally took the lead a minute later.

Maguire bombed forward down the left and rolled the ball across the face of goal. S Reid was there to beat his man and blast home, to the relief of everyone in green and white.

Rivers picked out Maguire perfectly on 66 minutes, but his volley was blocked away by one of a crowd of defenders guarding the goal.

The home fans had their heads in their hands with 14 minutes to go, when Mitchell Tolley headed at goal from a corner. Unfortunately for Stafford, it was straight at Woolston and he showed safe hands to hold.

The away dugout shared their frustration on 84 minutes, when Rivers appeared to be brought down Kieran Morris. However, their shouts fell on deaf ears - as Howes instructed the winger to get back to his feet.

Maguire tried a spectacular long-range chip to try and secure the points, but couldn't find the target with his attempt over Whitehouse.

With Spartans closing in on promotion to the Vanarama National League North, Alun Armstrong's side travel to Rushall Olympic on Tuesday knowing they only need five more points to secure the Evo-Stik Premier League title.

Stafford Rangers:

Whitehouse, Lyttle, Griffiths, Morris, Bailey (Tolley 65), Heath, L Reid (I Reid 59), Taylor, Perry, Barton (Haseley 59), Sherratt.

Subs not used:

Bowen, Haughton.

Blyth Spartans:

Woolston, Hutchinson, Liddle, S Reid (Laidler 86), Buddle, Watson, Rivers, McTiernan, Maguire, Armstrong, Dale.

Subs not used:

Wrightson, Pell, Cartwright, Pattison.

Referee:

Mark Howes

Attendance:

806

Spartans Man of the Match:

Sean Reid