Blyth Spartans 4-2 Frickey Athletic
30 October 2012
It’s almost un-heard of for a Referee to be cheered off Croft Park, with shouts of ‘can we have you every week’ greeting Mr.Liddle for a more than generous Penalty award with 10minutes remaining as the game was locked at 1-1. Even then, it seemed justice had been done when keeper Tom Woodhead parried Robbie Dale’s spot-kick, only for McGorrigan to hammer home the rebound.
The Home side started well, but failed to turn their dominance into goals, with the nearest chance coming when McGorrigan burst through on 21 minutes, only to smash the right-foot shot against the post. The first goal came when Blyth’s Lee Mason on wide-right turned back onto his left-foot and his long dipping cross/shot to the far post nestled in the top corner, past a despairing keeper on the 36th minute.
Frickley levelled within seconds, with Allott’s diagonal pass being swept home high into the net by Hinsley and the away side almost went ahead when Grant’s clearance struck Allott, but the Blyth keeper claimed the loose ball after appearing to push the striker first. Frickley struck the post on 50minutes, when Allott’s drive took a deflection, then Spartans counter-attacked through Substitute Phil Airey, resulting in a Mason shot. Spartans took the lead on 38 minutes, after Dale’s Penalty was saved but ex-Newcastle Reserve forward Ryan McGorrigan reacted quickest to score from the rebound.
The other ex-Newcastle Reserve striker Phil Airey’s introduction proved to be decisive, as he made his return from injury. - He struck twice within the space of 2 minutes as he provided clinical finishes on the 84th & 86th minute. His first was from sheer pace down the middle, leaving 3 defenders trailing, then a calm finish put Blyth 3-1 up. Airey then provided a neat pass down the left for McGorrigan to glide past his man in the penalty area and provide a perfect return pull-back for Airey to blast home his second for an unlikely 4-1 lead.
Frickley’s Substitute Yates scrambled home a late consolation in the time added on at the end, making it 4-2 to Blyth. ….Things seemed to go Blyth’s way and in the net it was Phil Airey’s clinical finishes which secured the 3-points for the home side.
M.O.M: Lee Mason
Attendance: 288
*Blyth Spartans are next at Home on 3rd November with a 3pm kick-off versus Stafford Rangers, who are currently in 14th place in the League. - Blyth are now 11th in the Evostick Northern Premier.*
(Match Report by Ross Teasdale)