Spartans and Shields share the spoils

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

South Shields 2-2 Blyth Spartans
Pre-season Friendly
Mariners Park
Tuesday 4th August 2015
Attendance: 391

In their penultimate pre-season fixture Blyth Spartans were given a rigorous workout by a rejuvenated South Shields as the sides equally shared four goals.

Shields lad Stephen Turnbull scored twice for Spartans. His first, from the penalty spot, got them back on level terms after former Consett striker Aris Lakonga Guerin had given the Mariners the lead in the thirteenth minute.

Turnbull grabbed his second with a sublime angled drive midway through the first half but Spartans had to settle for a draw as Shields substitute Michael Turner headed home an equaliser twenty minutes into the second half.

Tom Wade chose to rotate his squad ahead of the new campaign with new addition Dillon Morse given a start, along with Arran Wearmouth and the returning midfield duo of Stephen Turnbull and Neal Hooks.

Despite a bright start from Spartans they fell behind in the thirteenth minute. Former Spartan Wayne Phillips crossed from the left and that caused problems for keeper Adam McHugh.

He could only parry the ball towards Mariners striker Lee Scott and his flick back across the face of goal allowed Guerin to head into an empty net without a Spartans defender near him.

The lead lasted only two minutes as Arran Wearmouth was on the receiving end of a clumsy challenge from Mariners defender Daryll Hall. A spot kick was awarded and Turnbull casually sent Gareth Young the wrong way to get his side back on level terms.

But they weren't on level terms for long as Turnbull produced a goal of the highest quality midway through the half.

As he collected a pass on the left hand side he managed to jink his way into the box before sending a wonderful angled drive inside Young's far post.

The lead should have been extended with half an hour gone as a four-man move led to Paul Robinson being sent through on goal.

The former Whitley Bay midfielder tried a cheeky dink over the advancing Young but it landed just the wrong side of the right hand upright.

Half time seemed to bring a mentality change from the home side and they came out of the dressing room in a far more positive frame of mind.

The dangerous looking David Foley swung in a cross that was met by the head of Lee Scott but he could only direct his effort well wide of the Spartans goal.

As is the norm in pre-season fixtures play was disrupted by a whole host of substitutions but one of them was to prove Spartans downfall.

Mariners boss Jon King brought on Michael Turner on the hour mark and the defender had only been on the pitch six minutes when he headed home an equaliser from around ten yards out.

Both sides had chances to win the game although if one had succeeded it would have maybe been harsh on their opponents.

A good workout, as both managers would have probably said as they both finalise preparations for the new season.

Spartans end their pre-season campaign with a home game against Farsley Celtic on Saturday.

South Shields:

Young, Smith, Galpin, Hall, Buchanan, Ball, Foley, McMahon, Guerin, Scott, Phillips

Subs:

Beal, Turner, Scorggins, Heptinstall, Chapim, Wightman, Melvin, Ramsey

Goals:

Guerin 13, Turner 66

South Shields star man

David Foley

Blyth Spartans:

McHugh, Mullen, Watson, Morse, Hutchinson, Turnbull, Bell, Robinson, Wearmouth, Hooks, Dale

Subs:

Thomson, Wade, Richardson, Nicholson, Bramley, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist

Goals:

Turnbull 16pen and 21

Spartans star man:

Stephen Turnbull

Entertainment value:

3/5