Worksop Town 3-2 Blyth Spartans

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Worksop Town 3-2 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Saturday 19th April
Windsor Food Service Stadium
Attendance: 340

If wins were awarded for showing bravery in the face of overwhelming odds then Spartans would be celebrating three points from Worksop Town right now. However some questionable refereeing decisions and a couple of slices of bad luck meant that the Tigers condemned Tom Wade's side to their second away defeat inside four days.

A warning sign of what was to come saw Tigers striker Leon Mettam sent through on goal within the first three minutes but his shot was blocked bravely by Conor Grant. The game took a massive twist on seventeen minutes as Danny Parker was dismissed for a professional foul. A clearance from Nathan Buddle struck Lewis Horner and rebounded kindly for Jamie Jackson whose first touch took him in on goal. Parker got back and outmuscled the winger who went down under minimal contact. However it was sufficient for referee Nield to deem it worthy of a red card.

The hosts took the lead from the resultant free kick on the edge of the Spartans area. Mettam's low drive clipped the edge of the wall and wrong footed Conor Grant before nestling in the far corner. Five minutes later the home side doubled their lead in another controversial decision from the official and again it was Jackson at the heart of it. He got into the right hand side of the area and went down again under minimal contact from Joe Kendrick. Nield initially pointed for a goal kick before changing his mind and awarding a spot kick. Mettam doubled his tally for the day sending Grant the wrong way from the spot.

Just after the half hour mark Mettam completed his treble but again there was an element of doubt about the decision leading up to the goal. Nathan Buddle was penalised for a pull on Tom Denton which seemed harsh. From the free kick Mettam struck the wall but the rebound eventually found it's way back to him and he made no mistake volleying home from twenty yards.

Despite being three goals and a man down Spartans were playing some excellent passing football and starting to made inroads into the hosts defence. Matty Wade came close but his chip from the edge of the box landed just over the box before they got a foothold in the game three minutes before the break.

Robbie Dale embarrassed Chris Salt just inside the Tigers area by nutmegging the big centre back. Dale drove towards the edge of the area before unleashing a low drive from twenty yards that left Jake Turner with no chance. It was a goal that Spartans deserved for their endeavour and hard work during the first period.

Five minutes into the second half they almost grabbed another goal. A Paul Robinson corner from the left found the head of Arjun Purewal but the centre back couldn't make it three goals in a week as his flicked header dropped just wide of the far post. The hosts first chance came soon after as giant striker Tom Denton got on the end of a Mettam corner but his near post header landed on the roof of Conor Grant's net.

Just before the hour mark Spartans were right back in the game and again it was a piece of magic from Robbie Dale. The winger danced past Tom Bergun to get to the byline, as full back Alex Pursehouse slid in Dale dragged the ball back inside before rolling it into the far corner.

The home side dropped deeper and deeper into their half as Spartans tried to increase the pressure. For all of their possession they were lacking a killer edge but they kept battling away. That said the Tigers looked happy to sit back and seemed content to continue their direct style of play with Mettam chasing long passes to put the Spartans back four under pressure.

As the clock ticked towards ninety Tom Wade's side battled away but couldn't find that decisive chance and came away with nothing, where a point was more than deserved.

Last season there was nothing to take away from Worksop other than humiliation, embarrassment and disappointment. However today despite not taking any points Spartans played with pride, commitment and passion. If they build on what they have achieved this season there is plenty to be hopeful for once August comes around again.

Spartans Man of the Match:

Robbie Dale

Worksop Town

Turner, Pursehouse, Roe, Scott, Quinn, Salt(Burgin 57), Jackson(Garnett 85), Burrell, Denton, Mettam, Thomas(Clarke 66)

Subs not used:

Johnson, Clay

Goalscorers

Mettam 17, 23 pen and 31

Blyth Spartans:

Grant, Purewal, Buddle, Parker, Watson, Wade(Mullen 80), Robinson(Maguire 82), Hooks, Horner(Cummings 77), Wearmouth, Dale

Subs not used:

Bonket, Harrison

Scorers:

Dale 42 and 58

Referee:

T Nield