15th January 06 - Harry - Post Welling United

Following the Spartans’ FA Trophy exit the Blyth Manager Harry Dunn was in a reflective, but forward looking, mood.

“The team they put out had three changes from the one I saw play against St. Albans last week and we had to adjust to that. Our game plan was to try and keep things even for as long as possible then go for the win “ Dunn said.

“To be honest we did well for the first half hour then, as they say – the best laid plans etc!, it started to go wrong. After their first goal we just wanted to keep it to that before half time but they were good at set pieces and that was our undoing for the second goal.

“We got back into the game for the final thirty minutes and fought like hell and, at the end of the day, had enough chances to get something out of the game. But Welling are a decent side with some height about them and their goalie’s handling in the closing stages of the match was exemplary.

Dunn continued “We had to make some changes with Gareth Williams and Anth Lowther still struggling with injuries and Alex Gildea going down with flu but we gave them a run for their money and I couldn’t fault the application of my players.
The Welling Manager said that he couldn’t believe how we battled on from three- nil down and commented that the final twenty minutes were the most difficult his side had faced all season.

So what were the Blyth Manager’s thoughts on the future?

“We’ve had good Trophy and FA Cup runs,” he said. “We have a first class team spirit and I don’t see the need for any dramatic changes, although I will be looking at several lads in a friendly this week.

“I said to the boys in the dressing room after the Welling game that we must push on and pursue the cups we’re still in – the Northumberland Senior Cup and the Unibond Challenge Cup, as well as the League. We’re going to give all the competitions we’re in our best shot.”

However things weren’t made any easier for the defiant Blyth boss when he learned that Neil Wilkinson – the Drager Man of the Match in the Welling game, and his Hartlepool colleague Andy Appleby had been recalled by the Teesside club due to their injury crisis.
With a crucial away game at Lincoln on Saturday Dunn is hoping for three points to ensure that Blyth stay in the position to achieve at least a play-off place come May.