Report | Spartans lose to league leaders King's Lynn

By Jordan Cronin

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

National League North

Saturday, January 22, 2020

BLYTH SPARTANS 0-3 KING'S LYNN TOWN

Blyth Spartans were defeated 3-0 by National League North leaders King's Lynn Town, who extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches.

Lee Clark's side were left to rue a poor opening 20 minutes as league top scorer Adam Marriott added to his tally with two-quick fire goals.

Rory McAuley then wrapped up the three points on the hour-mark after heading home from Aaron Jones' corner in a tight but largely uneventful second-half.

Clark introduced two of his new signings into the starting 11. Jack Lambert and Ben Harmison in while Jordan Summerly took his place on the bench.

Zach Hemming had to be at his very best to deny Simon Power from point-blank range in the opening three minutes.

Despite a decent but brief spell from Blyth in which Harmison headed over Lambert's delivery, the league leaders soon raced into a two-goal advantage.

It was poor defending on both goals from Spartans as Marriott buried two composed finishes just six minutes apart.

Power and Marriott wasted further opportunities for the hosts but Blyth gradually improved and ended the opening 45 minutes on top.

Robbie Dale's corner was cleared as far as Scott Wilson, who took a touch before his attempt landed the wrong side of Alex Street's crossbar.

A short throw-in allowed Rhys Evans to whip in a fine delivery. Harmison got his head to it as the ball drifted past the bottom left corner.

Then, Dale turned Nathan Fox inside and out before his low shot forced to Street to get down quickly and parry the Blyth winger's effort away. Lewis Hawkins felt he was fouled as he tried to meet the loose ball.

Moments later, Street was on the ground again. Another corner was headed out to Kris Thackray and his powerful shot had to be dealt with by the King's Lynn goalkeeper.

Blyth's hopes of mounting a comeback were dashed on the hour-mark by an Jones corner kick that was headed home with ease by McAuley.

Clark brought on Adam Wrightson and Michael Sweet in place of Hunter and Lambert but they were unable to help break down a stubborn Linnets defence.

Spartans head to AFC Telford United on Tuesday, three points from National League North safety.

Blyth: Hemming, Evans, Wilson (Summerly, 66), Hunter (Sweet, 64), Sanders, Thackray, Lambert (Wrightson, 64), Hawkins, Harmison, Waddington, Dale. Subs not used: Devitt, Mullen.

King's Lynn: Street, Jones, Fox, Jarvis, Smith, McAuley, Power (Southall, 73), Richards (Carey, 77), Gash, Marriott, Henderson (Kelly, 67). Subs not used: Payne, Hawkins.

Goals: Marriott (12, 18), McAuley (60)

Attendance: 686

Referee: Dean Watson