Report | Spartans secure point against 2nd place Chester

BY Liam O'Brien

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

Vanarama National League North

Saturday, October 19th, 2019

Blyth Spartans 2-2 Chester

Blyth Spartans delivered an excellent performance - earning a hard- fought point at home against second-placed Chester.

Chester took the lead in the third minute when Danny Elliot's
free-kick deflected past Mark Foden into the back of the net.

Blyth soon equalised when Michael Sweet headed home a wonderful
cross by Lewis Hawkins.

Spartans then took the lead in the 22nd minute when Adam
Wrightson went on a solo run from out wide on the left then came inside and
fired a shot against a Chester player and the ball went over Russ Griffiths
into the back of the net.

In the 40th minute, Chester equalised when Bradley Jackson sent
a low cross into the box for Matty Hughes who calmly put it away to make it
2-2.

In the 3rd minute, Tom Devitt conceded a free-kick just outside
the box. Elliot stepped up to take the free kick and his shot deflected off a
Spartans player and went in to give Chester an early lead.

Spartans replied quickly and in the 6th minute, Hawkins whipped
in a cross which found the head of Sweet in the box. Sweet then sent his header
low into the corner to equalise.

Callum Roberts got a chance to score in the 16th minute when he
received the ball from a Foden goal-kick then turned his defender and had a
strike at goal that went just wide.

Blyth took the lead in the 22nd minute when Wrightson turned the
man marking him then charged towards goal while holding off another defender
then he took a shot that deflected off a defender and went over the Griffiths
into the back of the net.

Spartans got away with a mistake when Foden's clearance went
straight to a Chester player. George Waring got the ball outside the box passes
it to Jackson who whips it to the back post for the head of Waring but his
header is clawed off the line by Foden and Blyth managed to get the ball clear.

Spartans were dealt a blow in the 35th minute when Callum
Roberts was forced off with an injury and replaced by Robbie Dale.

Blyth got a chance in the 36th minute when Dale headed the ball
on for Sweet rounded the keeper and had a strike at goal that was cleared off
the line by Danny Livesey.

Chester equalised in the 40th minute when Jackson collected the
ball and sent a ball low into the box for Hughes to side-foot home from 6 yards
out.

Chester missed a great chance to take the lead in first half
stoppage time when a ball was played into the box from out wide for Waring in
the box but his shot from 2 yards out went just wide of the post.

In the 51st minute, Rhys Evans and Dale played a 1-2 to get Dale
into the box. Dale's strike at goal was impressively saved by Griffiths but the
ball dropped to Wrightson, who's shot went wide of the post.

Chester got a chance in the 54th minute when Gary Roberts had a
strike at goal from outside the box that went narrowly wide.

Spartans came under a bit of pressure when Chester whipped in a
corner that bounced around the box with Blyth somehow managing to clear it off
the line several times and eventually they managed to get it clear.

Blyth got lucky in the 72nd minute when Craig Mahon was through
on goal and one on one with Foden. He managed to round Foden but his shot
rattled against the post.

Spartans got a chance in the 81st minute when Dale whipped in a
cross towards the backpost for Hawkins, who's header hit the post and bounced
out off Griffiths and out of play for a corner.

In the 90th minute, Chester got a final chance to win it with
Hughes having a strike at goal from outside the box that went narrowly wide of
the post. Spartans managed hold on in stoppage time to pick a massive point
against 2nd in the league.

Spartans - Foden, Evans, Callaghan, Scott, Ritson, Devitt, Wrightson, Hunter (c), Sweet (Amantchi, 77), Roberts (Dale, 35), Hawkins Subs not used: Fenwick, Robson, Harker.

Goals - Sweet (6) Wrightson (22)

Bookings - Devitt (2) Hunter (18)

Chester - Griffiths, Roberts, Taylor, Roberts (c), Livesey, Grand, Jackson, Glendon, Waring (Stopforth, 67), Hughes, Elliot (Mahon, 64). Subs not used: Morgan, Waters, Dudle

Goals - Elliot (3) Hughes (40)

Bookings - Elliot (52) Livesey (55) Roberts (84)

Referee - Adam Williamson

Man of the Match - Michael Sweet