Report | Spartans cruise into quarter-finals

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

Vanarama National League North

Northumberland Senior Cup

Heaton Stannington 0-4 Blyth Spartans

Blyth Spartans swept a resilient Heaton Stannington aside as they scored two goals either side of half-time.

Spartans dominated the entire game and could have scored more if they were more clinical in front of goal.

Lee Clark will be happy to have avoided an upset, but less so with the two injuries picked up by his players.

Anthony Callaghan went off after 20 minutes with a slight knock while Scott Fenwick, unfortunately, went off on a stretcher and had to go to hospital.

Lewis Hawkins got his first goal for Spartans after 13 minutes.

Olly Scott tapped home on the half-hour mark.

Captain Robbie Dale got in on the act with a solo goal after 77 minutes.

Michael Sweet sealed the deal as he slotted home after 82 minutes.

Despite their dominance, it was Heaton who had the first chance when Regan Paterson raced through after seven minutes but could only drag his effort wide.

However, Spartans opened the scoring after 13 minutes as Lewis Hawkins pounced on a rebound from Olly Scott's long-range strike.

Blyth doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark as Scott got his goal after Michael Sweet forced a great save from Johnny Ball but Scott was there to tap home from close range.

Sweet should have got on the scoresheet after 51 minutes as he fired a free header over the bar from six-yards out.

The striker had a second chance two minutes later when Lewis Ritson raced from defence before chipping the ball over for Sweet but was once again denied by a superb save from Ball.

Robbie Dale sealed the win as he picked up the ball on the edge of the box before gliding past three players in the box and sliding his shot past the 'keeper with less than 15 minutes to play.

Sweet eventually got his goal he deserved from a corner as he swept home from the penalty spot despite being a number of defenders in his way with only eight minutes left.