Blyth Spartans 1-0 Stafford Rangers
05 November 2012
Spartans, hammered 8-1 at Worksop in midweek on the ‘Fright-Night’ of Halloween, really had to respond with a performance at home in-front of dismayed fans. They managed to produce a much-needed spirited display to earn the 3-points, digging in although Stafford had ten-men for the last half-an-hour. The Blyth Goal came on the 11th minute, with Robbie Dale supplying a great through ball out wide to Lee Mason, who then crossed to the far post for the on-rushing Ryan McGorrigan to lash high into the net form 6-yards.
An even first half was highlighted by Stafford’s Oliver Davies, gliding past Donnelly down the left and a curling shot came back off the crossbar with Conor Grant well beaten. The match could have been settled on the hour mark, with Sub Craig Farrell’s through ball being chested down on a strong run into the box by Dale, who was tripped from behind by Peter Heler. A Red-card was shown to the Stafford number 7, but Farrell’s spot-kick was driven wide of the post, wasting an ideal opportunity to seal the win & extend the spot-kick misery to 3 misses by 3 different Spartans players in recent weeks.
Stafford kept two men up-front, but eventually Blyth found gaps with Dale, McGorrigan and Substitutes Airey & Farrell all having good chances to add to the lead. A nervous last few minutes for the Home side ended with Rangers’ Captain Lee Downs smashing a fierce drive against the Spartans post, with keeper Grant rooted to the spot as the ball flashed past him. 1-0 it finished and will hopefully boost the morale amongst the fans & players after a difficult week in the History of Spartans.
M.O.M: Wayne Buchanan
Attendance: 317
*The next League match is away to Grantham Town on Saturday 10th Nov. with the next Home match being in the Senior Cup on Tuesday 13th November at 7.30p.m against local rivals Whitley Bay.*
(Match Report by Ross Teasdale)