Report | Blyth Spartans 1-1 Brackley Town | National League North | 22/23

By Haydan May

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

Vanarama National League North

Saturday, November 26th 2022

BLYTH SPARTANS 1-1 BRACKLEY TOWN

Late Toby Lees equaliser and a Nicky Deverdics Man of the match performance denied Brackley all three points.

Blyth came out flying, as Nicky Deverdics sent JJ O'Donnell Down the left, he tried to loop one in for McGowan, but his cross was blocked.

Blyth continued their good spell when Matty Cornish's shot was cleared for a corner, the resulting looping corner was easily caught by keeper Danny Lewis.

Midway through the first half, Rhys Evans Went down after a collision with a Brackley player, unable to continue, he made way for Michael Richardson.

Brackley began to grow into the game when a slotted ball to the left of the 6-yard box was met by Adam Rooney only to be blocked by Lees out for a corner.

Things were level at the break, neither side able to break the deadlock in the opening forty-five.

Early in the second half, Deverdics was shown a yellow for a late challenge on Riccardo Calder.

Brackley came out fighting in the second half, Gareth Dean looking likely to score when a ball fell to the edge of the Blyth box his shot eventually being blocked by an on rushing Deverdics.

Blyth grew back into the game, with O'Donnell believing he had broken the deadlock as a Deverdics floated ball arrived back post for O'Donnell only for the keeper to catch his header.

Brackley eventually opened the scoring, when a Deverdics back pass to Alex Mitchell was too short, and whose attempted clearance deflected off the foot of Armson and rolled into an empty net.

Deverdics again played a looping cross, this time Main could only head it wide from six yards out.

Both sides made changes which saw former Blyth Striker Levi Amantchi replace Brackley's Rooney.

Late in the second half, Amantchi thought he had doubled the lead only for his tame header to fall into the arms of Mitchell.

Blyth began to pile on the pressure, which saw a scramble in the box eventually cleared by Brackley, to try and calm the pressure.

Blyth continued their pressure and when Deverdics once again floated a ball into the box, it was met by Lees, who's initial shot was parried only to fall at his feet again, he looped it over Lewis to equalise in the last minute of normal time.

Lees last-minute equaliser and Nicky Deverdics Man of the match performance secured Blyth a vital point in their survival hopes in the Vanarama National League North.

Blyth Spartans | Mitchell, Evans (Richardson 32'), Lees, Hickey, O'Donnell, Round, McGowan, Deverdics ©, Main (Scott 69'), Cornish (Barlow 78'), Bodenham | Subs Not Used | Dopson, Joisce

Goals | Lees 90'

Brackley Town | Lewis, Carline, Walker, Calder, Dean ©, Matwasa, Richards, Rooney (Amantchi 76'), Armson (Murombedzi 71'), Stead | Subs Not Used | York, Cullinane-Liburd, Yusuf

Goals | Armson 63'

Attendance | 699