Rushall Olympic 5-2 Blyth Spartans

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Rushall Olympic 5-2 Blyth Spartans
Saturday 16th February
Dales Lane
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Attendance: 197

Whilst the London 2012 Olympics were a never to forgot event, there was plenty that Spartans will want to forget as they failed their own Olympic test going down to a disappointing defeat at Dales Lane. That would happen despite the fact Spartans were quickest out of the blocks only for their flame to burn out as the Pics took charge and ran rings around a Spartans defence that looked as punch drunk as any boxer who competed for gold last summer.

Spartans manager Paddy Atkinson handed a first league start to former Bedlington Terriers keeper Craig Pickering as he replaced the injured Conor Grant between the sticks and Lee Mason was recalled to the lineup, taking his place on the left side of midfield. Dan Maguire would also make his first start since December, with the ex Seaton Delaval striker taking Ryan McGorrigan's place in the Spartans front line. New signings James Baxter would start his Spartans career on the bench.

Atkinson's side could have taken the lead within the first two minutes as Robbie Dale danced past three Pics defenders and forced Chris Gemmell into a smart saved at the winger's feet. The home side suffered a blow as captain Gavin Caines was taken off injured in the tenth minute when he suffered an ankle injury after falling awkwardly. Within a minute of the substitute the home side had the lead as a lack of concentration cost Spartans dear. Pics winger Andre Landell was left unmarked on the left side of the area and was given time to pick out the unmarked Dave Walker who finished easily from eight yards out. Within five minutes Spartans would be on level terms with a goal of some quality. A one two between Shaun Utterson and Andrew Jennings saw the former put a perfect cross into the box that found the head of Dan Maguire and the striker finished superbly from ten yards for his first league goal for the club.

As both sides battled for the upper hand on an increasingly boggy pitch the game would turn scrappy with neither side being able to take control. There would be chances though with Craig Hubbard heading straight at Gemmell from an Airey free kick and Pickering impressively tipping over an Obeng effort from fifteen yards. It would be a nightmare last five minutes of the first half that would take the game away from Spartans as they would concede twice before referee Lewis Price blew the half time whistle. Firstly on forty minutes an inch perfect dink over the top of the Spartans back four from Carl Palmer found Obeng one on one with Pickering and the striker wasted little time in dispatching the ball past the keeper. Then in injury time a free kick from the right hand side by Jonathan Haynes missed every player in the box and decieved Pickering to creep inside the far post and send the Pics into the interval two goals to the good.

Within two minutes of the second half that margin would be stretched to three and again it would be an unmarked Dave Walker who would do the damage for the home side. A free kick from Haynes found the striker eight yards from goal without a Spartans defender close to him and he gleefully headed home for his eighteenth goal of the season. Spartans would claw back one in slightly fortunate circumstances as Dan Maguire got on the end of a Jennings flick on and was adjudged to have been fouled by Gemmell as the two challenged for the ball although even the most loyal Spartans fan would have been surprised at the spot kick award. Just as he had last week at home to Buxton, Craig Hubbard coolly dispatched the penalty sending Gemmell the wrong way.

As Spartans pressed forward looking to get back in the game they would create chances with Hubbard and Dale going close but they would also leave themselves open to the pace of Curtis Obeng as he gave the Spartans back four a torrid time. With ten minutes left it would be Obeng would killed off any chance of a comeback when he got on the end of a long ball and rounded Pickering before holding off a weak challenge from Donnelly and rolling the ball into an empty net. That meant the striker had deservedly grabbed himself a brace and nearly sealed a hat-trick as the clock ticked into injury time but he couldn't make the most of yet more sloppy defending by Spartans. The referee would soon call time on a game that anyone connected with Spartans will look back upon with any fondness although it must be said Dan Maguire was easily their man of the match for his hardworking attitude and never say die spirit.

The tagline of the London Olympics may well have been about inspiring a generation but Spartans will have to improve quickly if they are to inspire the Croft Park crowd when Ashton United come calling on Tuesday night.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Dan Maguire

Rushall Olympic:

Gemmell, K Haynes, J Haynes, Tolley, Caines(capt)(Daniel 10), Smith, Palmer, Craddock, Walker(Islam 78), Obeng, Landell(Edmunds 82) strong> Subs not used:

Bridgewater, Thompson

Goalscorers

Walker 11 and 47, Obeng 41 and 81, J Haynes 45

Blyth Spartans:

Pickering, Utterson, Airey, Hubbard, Buchanan, Slaughter, Mason, Hooks, Jennings, Maguire, Dale

Subs not used:

None

Scorer:

Maguire 16, Hubbard 54 pen

Referee:

Lewis Price