Spartans beaten by Strickland winner

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Skelmersdale United 1-0 Blyth Spartans
Tuesday 9th September
Attendance: 248
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

A Kenny Strickland free kick on the stroke of half time sent Spartans to their third single goal defeat in a week at top of the table Skelmersdale United but much of the post-match talk will resolve around a number of contentious decisions by referee Kevin Sarsfield.

The official sent off Spartans right back Alex Nicholson in the first ten minutes for a professional foul much to the surprise of the majority inside the ground as there seemed to be cover. However he evened things up with another debatable decision by showing a second yellow card to United defender Bodie. He also produced a controversial decision for the winning goal as Nathan Buddle seemed to have taken the ball for the free kick that led to Kenny Strickland's forty fourth minute winner.

The first action of the half was actually the red card for the unfortunate Nicholson. A ball was fed into Skem striker Mitchley on the edge of the box and he went down under minimal contact from the Spartans right back and fell into the area. Referee Sarsfield pointed to the spot and after consulting with his linesman dismissed Nicholson. Mitchley stepped up to take the spot kick but struck the right hand upright.

Perhaps galvonised by a sense of injustice Spartans had arguably their best period of the game. Rivers and Dale were getting some joy up front and looking dangerous with the first real chance for Spartans falling to the latter. Chris Bell sent in a cross from the right that was met by the head of Dale but he could only send his effort narrowly over the bar.

The referee took centre change again with just under ten minutes of the first half remaining. Rivers beat Bodie on the left hand touchline and was brought down by the Skem defender. A second yellow card was produced and Bodie was sent down the tunnel to even things up.

With a minute to go until the break there was a sucker punch for a brave Spartans side. Nathan Buddle challenged with Tom Ince and seemed to take the ball but surprised even the home supporters by awarding a free kick twenty yards from goal. The poor decision shouldn't take away from a wonderful free kick by Kenny Strickland as he curled fantastic shot into the top left hand corner of the Spartans net.

The first chance of the second period fell to Skem as Mitchley headed a cross just wide of the far post as he rose to meet a Wylie cross from the right. The striker had another chance four minutes later as he pounced on a loose ball in the area after Jeffries had denied McCarthy with a brave block. Mitchley looked set to score but was blocked by a last ditch challenge by Ian Watson. From the resulting corner Tom Ince headed against the bar from close range.

Spartans could and maybe should have been level with fifteen minute remaining as Ian Watson burst into the area after being played in by Robbie Dale but was denied by the advancing Fearon. That led to a counter attack by the hosts and McCarthy was played in on goal but could only fire over the bar from the edge of the box.

The final chance of the game was to fall to Spartans as left back Watson released the ever lively Jarrett Rivers into the left hand side of the area. The winger took one touch before smashing a low drive at goal that was saved by the feet of Fearon.

Despite the closing stages being played at a frantic pace neither side created much of note and Spartans can look back on a much improved performance, but one that ultimately didn't get the result it deserved.

Teams

Skelmersdale United

Fearon, Wylie, Wisdom, McIntosh, Bodie, Simpson, Thompson, Strickland(Kirkbride 84), Mitchley, McCarthy(Sumner 87), Ince

Subs:

Mooney, Monaghan, Lloyd

Blyth Spartans:

Jeffries, Nicholson, J Watson, Buddle, I Watson, Hooks, Hutchinson(Sayer 79), Bell, Dale, Rivers, Wearmouth(Robinson 61)

Subs:

Cummings, Mullen, Maguire

Referee:

Kelvin Sarsfield