Report | Blyth Spartans 5-3 South Shields | Pre-Season Friendly | 22/23

Pre-season friendly

Tuesday, July 12th 2022

BLYTH SPARTANS 5-3 South Shields

Blyth Spartans played their first full pre-season game at Croft Park, however, a 60-minute behind-closed-doors match against Sunderland was their first test 10 days ago, as Blyth lost 4-0.

Goals from Lewis McNall, JJ O'Donnell, Jordan Hickey and a brace from Corey McKeown for Blyth and a brace from Sam Hodgson and goals from Michael Woods for South Shields decided the outcome of the game.

10 minutes in McKewon scored after a long ball from the returning Alex Nicholson was controlled by O'Donnell and he tried a shot but his effort was saved, then the ball fell back at his feet, then he squared the ball over to McKeown who slotted it home.

Hodgson equalised after 14 minutes after he controlled a cross from the left-hand side, before chipping the ball over Mitchell into the net.

Joao Gomes made a darting run down the right-hand side before playing the ball to Darius Osei who spun left and right to lose his marker but his shot sailed high and wide.

Hodgson was on the counter for South Shields until Rhys Evans brought him down, which resulted in a yellow card, but the free-kick came to nothing.

After 29 minutes O'Donnell was denied a certain goal by the crossbar after getting his head onto the cross from Jordan Hickey.

McNall doubled the lead after heading the ball in the net from O'Donnell's cross from the right-hand side.

McKewon instantly scored a third straight from kick-off 33 minutes in after McNall drove down the right-hand side before playing McKeown in who was unmarked as he slotted it into the bottom corner.

O'Donnel struck a fourth in for Blyth just two minutes later as he curled the ball into the bottom corner.

After 39 minutes Hodgson grabbed his second goal of the game by tapping the ball into the net after the ball was played to him by Osei.

Ten minutes into the second half McNall turned past the defender but dragged his shot wide.

The ball fell to the feet of Natumba Massanka just outside the six-yard box, but he struck the ball out of the stadium.

65 minutes in South Shields reduced the deficit to one after Woods volleyed the ball after a cross from Blair Adams.

With 9 minutes left Hickey made it five after a powerful effort from the edge of the box that rifled into the bottom corner.

Blyth Spartans | Mitchell, Evans, Liddle (Trialist 45'), Hickey (Gillies), Lees (Trialist 77'), Nicholson, O'Donnell ©, Deverdics, McNall (Trialist 77'), Barlow (Cornish 45'), McKeown (Trialist 59') | Subs not used | Trialist x3

Goals | McKeown 10' 33', McNall 31', O'Donnell 35', Hickey 81'

South Shields | Dobson (Boney 45'), Lukeman (Liddle 45'), Doherty (Bodenham 45'), Broadbent © (Woods 45'), Trialist (Hunter 45'), Smith (Adams 45'), Osei (Briggs 45'), McGowan (McGeorge 45'), Hodgson (Heaney 45'), Jenkins (Kidd 45', McArthur 77'), Gomes (Massanka 45')

Goals | Hodgson 14' 39', Woods 65'

Attendance | 653