Well done lads

 www.clubwebsite.co.uk/blythspartansjuniors

Ben and his grandfather, Brian Beadle, are regular visitors to Croft Park and it was a big thrill for him to be on the field at Croft Park, in his new Spartans shirt to meet his favourite Spartans players, as well as the opposing players and the match day officials.

Should you wish to be a mascot at one of the future Spartans matches, please get in touch with General Manager Ian Evans (tel: 01670 352373 or generalmanager@blythspartans.com) to organise your big day.

As expected, there was very little between the two sides and a defensive mistake from a throw in gave Morpeth the opening goal of the game when a shot was fired in from out wide on the left that gave Dan no chance.  Chances were had by both sides, but some good defensive work and goalkeeping by both teams kept the score tt 1-0 until Besty popped up with his trademark run and goal to make it 1-1 at half time.

The second half saw Jack take on the Morpeth defence down the right and as he cut across into the box, he was brought down for a penalty. A quick converastion between him and Besty which I overheard as “maker taker” saw Jack put us 2-1 up with a perfectly positioned penalty.  However, Morpeth came back and scored two virtually identical goals from corners when the ball dropped in the six yard box and despite several attempts we never cleared it far enough before it ended up in the back of the net.  The pressure was now on Spartans to get an equalizer as the clock started to run down and Jack provided it to take the game into extra time. He must have been pleased with his finish based on his cartwheel celebration.

Extra time started perfectly when we put the ball forward from kick off and Adam played a perfectly weighted pass for Sam to run onto and take forward into the penalty area before he took the shot to put us 4-3 up.  More confidence came to the team as we looked better prepared and Jack went on to make it 5-3 with his first hat trick for Spartans.  This game was now ours with the goal margin we had.  The second part of extra time saw Spartans controlling the game with Morpeth pushing players up to try and score and we were unlucky not to add another couple.

This was a great all round team performance with all the lads playing their role in their firts competitive 11-a-side match.  We are now at home to Ashington in the next round.

Tadge has now been able to up his rehabilitation and started running on the roads to build up his fitness and has even done some basic ball work.

Whilst he is aware that pushing it, could set him back further, he is optimistic that he could be back quicker than first thought.

Afc Telford: Platt, Salmon, Newton, Rodgers, Murray, Killock, Mills, Trainer, Meechan, Brown, Adams (Abbott).
Subs Not Used – John, Davies, Danny Carey-Bertram & Ryan Jones

Blyth Spartans: Cunningham, Harrison, Cave, Tait, Swailes, Buchanan, Deverdics, Turnbull, Brayson, Hooks, Dale.
Subs not used – Graham, Alexander, Morris, Groves & Smith

BLYTH Spartans returned home with a creditable draw at AFC Telford, a venue they have found difficult in the past.

Spartans had to defend valiantly in the second period, and almost claimed all three points in the later stages of the game.

John Adams set up Greg Mills in the 15th minute and his first-time effort tested goalkeeper Jake Cunningham.

Blyth’s first real goalscoring opportunity came after half an hour. Phil Cave moved down the left and picked out Paul Brayson who opened up the opportunity for Neil Hooks but keeper Daniel Platt was not unduly troubled.

Spartans returned a minute later to take the lead. A long ball out of defence by Chris Swailes found Brayson who rounded Platt before slotting into an open net.

There were a few anxious seconds when the assistant referee flagged for offside but he was over-ruled by Simon Barrow.

Telford had a golden opportunity to equalise before the interval.

Robbie Dale was adjudged to have handled in the box, but Andrew Brown fired wide of the penalty spot.

They did, however, restore parity with a 48th-minute penalty.

Neil Hooks brought down Phil Trainer and this time Brown was spot on to make amends for his earlier miss.

Spartans were under the cosh for the remainder of the game but were dangerous when counter-attacking.

A Phil Cave free -kick deep into the penalty area was headed at Platt by Swailes and good work by Turnbull down the left saw Brayson’s strike cleared off the line by Shane Killock.

Telford enjoyed much of the possession but in stoppage time Turnbull hooked his effort over the crossbar and the home side survived.

The first to benefit from the programme are 18 year olds Eoin Ridley (above) and Michael Simm (below). They were chosen by Blyth manager Mick Tait, General Manager Ian Evans and the Manager of the Spartans’ under 17s squad, Keith Bird.

The scholars train with first team and benefit from the experience of the highly qualified Tait and his assistant Chris Swailes and can travel with the first team to away games.

“The lads are already benefiting from the scheme,” commented Mr. Evans.

“The project has two main aims – to provide a direct link from the youngest junior’s squad to the Blue Square side and to possibly save the club money in the long term by grooming players to possibly play at this high level.”

At the end of each season Tait will decide on whether to keep the youngsters on at senior level and in addition two new scholars will be chosen to join the programme.

Sponsored by:
Blyth Spartans Juniors

Occupation:
Not Known

Previous Clubs:
Blyth Spartans Juniors

Nickname:
Not Known

Date of Birth:
Not Known

Blyth Spartans Debut:
None

First Goal for Blyth Spartans:
None

Team Honours (at Blyth Spartans AFC):
None

Individual Honours (at Blyth Spartans AFC):
None

Back to Squad List

Sponsored by:
Blyth Spartans Juniors

Occupation:
Not Known

Previous Clubs:
Blyth Spartans Juniors

Nickname:
Not Known

Date of Birth:
Not Known

Blyth Spartans Debut:
None

First Goal for Blyth Spartans:
None

Team Honours (at Blyth Spartans AFC):
None

Individual Honours (at Blyth Spartans AFC):
None

Back to Squad List

Signed from Durham City just over one year ago, Paul has been a constant source of goals for Blyth since his arrival, scoring an incredible 35 times to secure, not only the club’s leading scorer title, but also the title of the Blue Square North’s leading marksman last season.

Well done Brassie!