Report | Spartans lose at league leaders King's Lynn

BY Jordan Cronin

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

National League North

Saturday, December 7, 2019

King's Lynn Town 3-0 Blyth Spartans

A hard-working Blyth Spartans fell to a 3-0 defeat at National League North leaders King's Lynn Town in a hearted performance at The Walks.

Lee Clark's men battled throughout against a team unbeaten in their previous eight games, however were undone by goals from Chris Henderson, Michael Gash and Adam Marriott.

However, there were plenty of positives to take ahead of the trip to Stockport County in the FA Trophy next Saturday.

Clark made one enforced change from the 3-1 win at Alfreton Town on Tuesday. A concussed Robbie Dale was replaced by Lewis Hawkins.

In truth, there wasn't much between the two sides in the first half, with a mistake and a moment quality giving the league leaders a 2-0 lead at the break.

A ball into the area from the right-wing was sliced by Rhys Evans in the worst possible area - Henderson poking the loose ball home from close-range.

Clark's side settled into the game and Olly Scott joined the play in a familiar left wing position in place of Dylan McGlade on 23 minutes.

But 15 minutes later, King's Lynn added an all-important with a terrific worked goal. Ross Barrows feeding Henderson in the channel - putting it on a plate for Gash from six-yards out.

Blyth almost reduced the deficit moments later when Roberts crossed into Scott at the back post, whose header was deflected over.

And Spartans carved out the first chance of the second-half. This time it was a Roberts' free-kick delivery into Jack Hunter, however his header was comfortably held.

The Linnets responded with an excellent chance of their own. Sonny Carey picked out the run of Marriott but fortunately for Blyth, he drilled his left-footed effort wide.

Up until the final 20 minutes, proceedings were identical to the opening 45 minutes, though the game became stretched in the final quarter of an hour.

Zach Hemming was on top form. The hosts' front two combined - Gash and Marriott - but the Middlesbrough loanee smoothed it from the latter's feet.

Then, minutes later, Jordan Richards unleashed an effort from the edge of the box, which Hemming reacted too.

Marriott had another chance as his overhead kick was aimed just past the post. Aaron Jones also struck over from distance.

Substitute Levi Amantchi should have handed Blyth a grandstand finish. The striker was six yards out from goal but for some reason delayed his shot before the Linnets defender blocked.

Jones was unlucky not to add a third for the hosts with a rasping shot that zoomed past Hemming onto the post before the rebound kindly fell to the goalkeeper.

Marriott, the division's top scorer, was thwarted superbly by Hemming again on 85 minutes after the striker made room on the edge of the box.

However, King Lynn's were able to round-off the scoring, one-minute from the end, through that man Marriott. Ryan Hawkins took advantage of an Anthony Callaghan slip to find Marriott in the box.

King's Lynn: Street, Jones, Fox, Carey (R. Hawkins, 69), Barrows, McAuley, Clunan (Payne 79), Richards, Gash, Marriott, Henderson. Subs not used: Jarvis, Bastock. 

Goals: Henderson (16), Gash (38), Marriott (89)

Blyth Spartans: Hemming, Evans, Callaghan, Mullen, Ritson, Devitt, McGlade (Scott, 23), Hunter, Sweet, Roberts, L.Hawkins (Amantchi, 69). Subs not used: Hutchinson, McKeown. 

Referee: A. Humphries

Attendance: 1022