2007... 
...2008 2nd March 2008 - Pinpoint League Blyth Spartans under 11’s 2 Prudhoe YC under 11’s 5
A new stadium and a new start.
Against the wind Spartans dug in and battled well. Prudhoe were on the offensive but Blyth’s back line coped well with the pressure. Man of the Match Reece Dobie pulled off a string of fine saves and when his goal did look in danger Charlie Turney and Matthew Fretwell weighed in with some important last ditch challenges and clearances. The traffic was not all one way and Blyth’s Liam Tweddle, James Golding, Daniel Burge and Brandon Nadeem were all unlucky in front of goal on at least one occasion. Even though the wind was against them Blyth matched their opponents in every department and both teams left the field at half time to a well deserved round of applause from the spectators.
In the second period Blyth took the lead with a classic example of route one football. Dobie produced a ball with great distance on it which bounced over the Prudhoe midfield and into the path of Daniel Burge who shrugged off a challenge before applying a confident finish which gave the keeper no chance. The visitors responded with a series of passes and a well worked goal through the middle of the Blyth defence and within minutes took the lead thanks to a fantastic shot from the right hand side of the Spartans penalty area which flew into the roof of Dobie’s net. Things went from bad to worse from a Blyth point of view when the lead was extended to threegoals to one with another high quality strike from the Prudhoe front line. Sam Johnson got Spartans back into the game following a determined run with a confident and well taken right footed shot. At this stage it looked as though there might be something in this game for the Spartans but although they battled hard resistance was killed off with a further two well taken goals from Prudhoe towards the end of the match.
The new stadium is at what used to be Blyth Grammar School and I recall coming here when the world was in black and white for swimming tuition. The lessons seemed to consist of being marinated in a vat of other people’s urine whilst being simultaneously supplied with a range of interestingly shaped verrucas. With the intervening years it occurs to me that whilst the nature of my experience of the place has changed the quality of that experience seems to have remained consistent. The only
differences are now that it feels as if the urine is being extracted rather than added and the pain has moved about three feet upwards from my foot.
Are there Gods of Football that everybody else prays to that no one has told us about? Every week we play well. The outfits that we play against generally know that they have been in a game and apart from the by now traditional period of the game when the team switches off we look to have a set of players who can do more than compete at this level. When will it end? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although Town won this game it was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggested and for large parts of the match Spartans matched them in every department. Spartans were committed from the kick off and Sam Johnson was unlucky to see an early shot saved by the Town keeper. Brandon Nadeem almost put Spartans ahead but again the keeper came to town’s rescue with a brave dive at his feet. Minutes later Nadeem broke down the right wing and fed the ball skilfully to Johnson and yet again the goalkeeper produced a fine save, throwing himself high to his left to push the ball away. Town rallied and Spartans keeper Reece Dobie was next to show his quality by flinging himself high to the left hand side to collect a goalbound shot. Dobie was beaten a few minutes later but perhaps got the luck he deserved when a powerfully hit shot bounced back off the post. Not to be outdone by his own keeper Spartans defender Ayrton Browning weighed in with a last gasp tackle to keep the scores even. The half looked set to end without either side being able to break the deadlock when Town’s Ben Connell pounced onto a loose ball and stroked it skilfully past Dobie into the Spartans net. Spartans equalised with the last kick of the first half when Burge fed Nadeem on the right hand side who produced a piledriving finish which finally beat the Town goalkeeper.
Spartans kept the initiative for the first part of the second half and were almost rewarded when Charlie Turney slipped the ball neatly to James Golding who saw his effort fly inches wide of the home team’s upright. Town’s Kieran Richardson gave his side the lead with a fine solo goal. Picking the ball up a long way out he made a surging run down the left wing and shrugged off numerous challenges before burying a tremendous long range shot in the back of the away side’s goal.
The next five minutes saw a nightmare familiar to anyone who has made a habit of watching this Spartans team during the current campaign. Disheartened by the goal against them they switched off and allowed Town to score from what were their next three attacking moves. It looked like we were heading towards a total collapse but just as quickly as they had switched off Spartans began to fight back and re-assert themselves on the game and it was no more than they deserved when a finely worked goal made the score a more respectable 5-2. Picking up the ball in the centre of midfield Robbie Potter cleverly made himself some space before firing a slide rule pass to hard running Burge who drew the advancing Town keeper before smashing the ball into the back of the net. Five two in the end and no one could deny Blyth town a well deserved victory however for large parts of this game it was not possible to tell which ends of the league table these two teams are occupying at present. Spartans should take heart from this performance (if not the result) and look forward to the rest of the season with a little more confidence. A point of interest was that when Blyth Town scored the Spartans parents applauded the quality of the goal. After Town took the lead a cry came from the opposing side of the pitch along the lines of "Let's show them who is the only team in Blyth" Someone over there (apart from being jolly unsporting) appeared to be labouring under the mis-apprehension that not only would Blyth Town get three points by beating Spartans but that their victory would mean that our kids would no longer exist as a team? It was not a classy moment. To gloat about being attached to (even what may well
>> be) the best under 11's football team currently operating from a small industrial town in the North East corner of a minor European country seems akin to feeling smug about being one of the world's tallest midgets? In fairness I suppose it could just have been a "heat of the moment " thing and it shouldn't detract from the fact that the players from both sides played the game in the right spirit but maybe a sense of perspective wouldn't go amiss? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whitley Bay Coast Soccer 3 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0
Spartans came out of the blocks well and were unlucky when Daniel Burge produced a well flighted free kick that split the coast defence and found the feet of Sam Johnson who was unfortunate to see his fierce drive go just wide of the right hand upright. Coast responded strongly and Blyth were grateful to Ayrton Browning who weighed in with a very important block to deny the home side a goal. Both goalkeepers were busy during the first half of this match. The coast keeper made a string of saves and interceptions to deny the Blyth front line and Spartans stopper Reece Dobie produced a fine block and perhaps deserved the luck that came his way when the advancing striker put the rebound over the bar when it looked easier to score. Boths defences played determined football and even though the game was entertaining it was perhaps no surprise when the first half ended without either side breaking the deadlock.
The second half started well for Blyth with Liam Tweddle unlucky to produce a strong solo run down the left that came to nothing thanks to some determined defending. Coast broke the deadlock when a cross came over from the left and found it’s way to an unmarked forward who carefully placed the ball into the centre of the goal. Blyth rallied and on another day could have expected a return from a couple of chances which fell to Burge and Robbie Potter but both produced final shots which went agonisingly close to the uprights. The second goal in a game of football is the important one. Either the teams return to equal footing or a gap opens up leaving one side potentially demoralised and chasing the game. In recent games that side has been Spartans and today was no exception. Coasts second goal was the result of a skilful solo run that left the Spartans defence with no chance.
As good as the second strike was the third and final goal was perhaps a bit lucky. A strongly hit shot from the home team forward looked to be goalbound when Dobie dived to produce a fine save only to see his block rebound from another player and into his net.
I’m tired of writing (and you’re probably tired of reading?) match reports which say something like “Spartans played well but following a breakthrough goal from the opposition seemed to lose their way a bit” but it seems to be the story of the season so far. Being a Newcastle fan I’m well used to mid table mediocrity and would hope that Spartans could put a
bit of a run together to get me back into my “comfort zone”. At a level where you can’t rely a porky billionaire to turn up to buy Ronaldo, Gerrard, Rooney and Adebayor during the close season (it’s going to happen I tell you!) we’ll just have to hope that the chaps rediscover their early season form.
Almost as hard to bear as the defeat was the smell of Yorkshire puddings drifting from the kitchens of the Foxhunters pub. On a site that does not have a shop where you can buy bacon sandwiches surely this kind of activity constitutes a violation of our human rights? There should be a law against it and if there’s not then Ronnie Campbell must be informed forthwith! Whilst on the subject of Yorkshire puddings honourable mention should be made of our own resident Yorkshire Puddings (Leeds United) fan and human dynamo Paul who walked to Whitley Bay from Blyth before this match but who still had the energy to run the line and occasionally hoist a flag above his head. I bet he’s still asleep. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10th February 2008 - Pinpoint League Newcastle East End Under 11’s 4 Blyth Spartans under 11’s 1
East End were able to avenge their previous defeat at the hands of Spartans with a battling performance that showed just how much the side has improved this season. The steams were committed from the start and the early stages saw both goalkeepers called into action. Blyth’s man of the match Reece Dobie pulled off a breathtaking save by flinging himself to his left to tip a fierce goalbound shot over the bar. Unfortunately the next time he touched the ball it was to pick it out of the net as East End’s Luke Walker skilfully converted a half chance to put the Newcastle side one nil up. Spartans came back determinedly and following some well worked interplay between Charlie Turney and Sam Johnson the ball fell to Ayrton Browning who produced a tremendous long range effort that rattled the East end crossbar.
Blyth were unlucky again moments later when Johnson slipped the ball to Alex Youll who was unlucky to see his effort go narrowly over the bar. East End came back into the game and Blyth defender Jack Harding proved his worth by keeping his side in the game with a spectacular headed clearance from his own goal line. The home team’s pressure paid off shortly later when Walker scored again. The ball was fed down the right wing and crossed at pace leaving the well positioned striker to calmly slot home.
Spartans did not give up and within minutes fought their way back into the game with a well deserved goal when Youll fed a well struck cross from the right for Johnson to smartly fire home from six yards.
Everything to play for in the second half but it was the city team that took the points thanks to two more well worked goals. Turner Carr eased the pressure on East End with a fiercely stuck drive that buried itself in the bottom of the Blyth net and Ryan Storey weighed in with a well taken goal later in the game to make the victory look a little bit more comfortable than it actually was.
A good game and a hard earned three points for East End and a familiar routine for Spartans of producing a battling performance early on before being overrun in the later stages of a game.
In the film Groundhog Day the character played by Bill Murray has to live through the same day over and over again until he realises the error of his ways and finally gets it right. In truth it wasn’t a very good film but at least my feet weren’t cold when I watched it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ellington Eagles Under 11’s 6 Blyth Spartans under 11’s 0
Last Sunday’s game was abandoned because of high winds and Spartans might have wished the same this time as Ellington ran out well deserved and comfortable winners in a game spoiled as a spectacle by the weather. Ellington went ahead following a corner when the ball was struck high into the Blyth net and doubled their lead a little later with a well taken goal from a low shot from the edge of the box. Having been caught cold Spartans almost fought their way back into the game with the Eagles keeper diving low to his left to pull off a fine save, to deny Blyth’s Robbie Potter.
Two down at the interval Spartans were unlucky in the early stages of the second half when man of the match Brandon Nadeem made a probing run down the right wing to be denied only by a desperate block from an Ellington defender. Blyth midfielder Sam Johnson was also unlucky following a terrific solo run to see his strongly hit shot pass just wide of the Ellington goal. Ellington’s third goal just before the break came thanks to a lucky (or unlucky?) deflection.
The second half followed the by now familiar pattern of Spartans tiring and giving goals away cheaply. The home side’s fourth goal came thanks to a well hit but speculative shot from distance and the fifth was the result of another long range effort, this time a low shot which made it’s way through a crowd of players and into the back of the net. Near the end of the game Ellington wrapped the points up in style with a fierce long range drive that Blyth keeper Reece Dobie did very well to get a hand to before it made it’s way into the goal.
Another defeat but to their credit the Blyth lads battled to the end and although well beaten they played in a good spirit and seemed to enjoy the game. The parents on the other hand had yet another day of being stood around like a line of depressed penguins waiting for someone (anyone?) to throw them a fish. Those parents who follow Sunderland are well used to being ground down by a series of inevitable and utterly predictable reverses and will be able to bear the current results with their usual fortitude but for the rest of us this is uncharted waters. When will it end? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blyth Spartans under 11’s vs Prudhoe under 11’s
A fine performance in terms of commitment and effort but for the second week in a row Spartans switched off for a ten minute period to allow their opponents to run up a few goals. Last weeks game saw Kingston Park score five goals in the last ten minutes of what had until then been a closely
fought contest. This week it was Prudhoe’s turn to benefit from Blyth’s generosity. The difference between this week and last was that rather than concede at the end of the match Spartans contrived to give their opponents a two goal advantage at the start.
This was supposed to be a home fixture but because we are currently “between stadiums” the game was played in (and on one of) the hills surrounding Prudhoe. The match kicked off with Blyth playing against the wind but with the slope and Prudhoe wasted no time in taking a two goal lead. The first was a well taken strike from a break through the middle and the second saw the ball bundled into the net at the end of an untidy goalmouth scramble. It looked as though there was a rout on the cards and it is to Blyth’s credit that they rolled up their sleeves and fought their way back into the game.
Following some hard work Sam Johnson was unlucky to find himself through on goal only to see the Prudhoe keeper make a fine save and Dan Burge had a long range effort from the left fly just wide of the Prudhoe goal. Man of the Match Burge came even closer moments later when another shot
from distance bounced off the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly along the line before being hacked clear. Spartans hard work was eventually rewarded when Burge fired a fierce ball into the area for Johnson to pounce and place the ball past the keeper and into the net.
Spartans kept up the pressure and would have been good value for an equaliser but the home team scored the goal that turned the game with just about the last kick of the first half. A fierce shot from the edge of the area that Blyth keeper Reece Dobie did well to get a hand to ended up in the back of the net and even though they were playing downhill in the second half Blyth had a mountain to climb (sorry I couldn’t resist it).
The start of the second period saw the home side increase their goal tally to four but as I was buying a cup of tea at the time I have no idea if the goal was the result of a header, a volley or a rebound from the backside of one of the mountain goats that graze on the upper slopes of the Prudhoe
pitch. I’m very sorry and it won’t happen again! In future I will send my wife to get the tea (I’m sure the bloke in a frock that morning said something about love honour and OBEY?……..anyway I’ll have my lawyers look into that one just as soon as I get some lawyers).
Luckily I was at my post (with a cup of tea and a nice biscuit) when Dan Burge brought Spartans back into the game with a well taken terrific looping strike from outside the box. At four two down Blyth worked hard to get back into the game but despite keeping up the pressure on the home goal and with the hard working Burge again hitting the woodwork with just about the last kick of the game the
fact was that by gifting two early goals to a very good Prudhoe team Spartans gave themselves too much to do. The Prudhoe team were skilful, hard working and well organised and they deserved the points but Spartans deserve credit for not letting their heads drop. With a little more concentration it should not belong before they get back to winning ways. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 2 Kingston Park Falcons 9
A glance at the scoreline would suggest that Kingston Park strolled through this game with little or no resistance from The Spartans but the reality was that they were made to work very hard for the points and in the early stages it was Blyth who made all of the running. Spartans came straight out of the blocks eager to avenge a four goal defeat by Kingston Park and The Falcons had to thank their in form keeper Shaun McDonald who dived acrobatically to save a blistering shot from Blyth’s Daniel Burge in the opening minute. Seconds later Burge tried his luck from the edge of the box only to be
again denied by a diving McDonald.
After riding their luck and soaking up some early pressure the Newcastle side started to string some passes together and had some promising moves broken up by Spartans defensive pairing of Charlie Turney and Matthew Fretwell, the latter staying cool under pressure to not only break up a dangerous Kingston Park attack but to distribute the ball to midfielder James Golding who then fed the ball to Sam Johnson down the left wing. Johnson cut iside and drew the keeper before unselfishly squaring the ball to Robbie Potter for an easy tap in to make it one Nil to the home team.
Kingston Park were stung into action and applied strong pressure only to be denied by Brandon Nadeem who came up with a tremendous header on his own goal line which preserved Blyth’s advantage. The Spartans went two up when following some hard work Alex Youll sent over a cross from the right for Robbie Potter to fire home his second of the game.
Blyth were looking to press home their advantage but were undone when Kingston Park clawed their way back into the game with a goal from a fine chip from the edge of the box. They drew level just before half time thanks to the best goal of the game which came as the result of a strongly struck shot from way outside the penalty area.
The teams went in level at half time but it was Kingston park who had the better of the second period.
They went ahead thanks to a low shot that flashed into the right hand corner of the Blyth net and almost scored again within moments to see a goal bound shot pushed onto the bar by the head of a determined Jordan Yoemans. Mc Donald was again called into action in the Park goal to deny Potter who tried his luck with a fiercely struck shot from distance. This was perhaps the turning point in the match as within minutes Kingston Park went another goal ahead to knock the stuffing out of the Blyth side.
At four – two down Spartans seemed to lose heart and for the last ten minutes of this match the visitors seemed to score with every attack and it was an act of mercy when the referee blew his whistle. Earlier in the season Kingston Park beat Spartans by four goals to nil and to be fair the margin could have been much greater. In this match the margin was greater but Spartans were in control and in front for long periods before collapsing in the last ten minutes. Wilson got a well deserved hat trick for Kingston Park but the real inspiration for the Gosforth team was goalkeeper McDonald who performed heroics in the first half to allow the visitors to keep in touch. It’s a funny old game. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashington AFC Under 11’s 1 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0
A second visit to the very impressive Ashington ground in three weeks (we’ll have to tidy up when they come to our place!) and yet again Blyth were frustrated to lose an evenly matched contest by a single goal. The fact that this one finished 1-0 whilst the first game was a 4-3 “thriller” was a tribute to the hard working attitude of both team’s defensive and midfield players. Blyth Keeper Reece Dobie and his opposite number in the Ashington goal Jake Phillips each pulled off a string of fine saves to make this a low scoring but still absorbing game.
For the most part the first half of this game saw each team working hard to cancel out the other and although there was no lack of commitment and skill on show neither goal was under serious threat for the opening quarter of an hour. After that both teams had half chances that they failed to convert but it is fair to say that the real action was in the middle of the park rather than at either end.
Ashington secured the points with the only goal of the game in the dying seconds of the first half.
A goalmouth scramble in the Blyth penalty area resulted in a loose ball falling to Harry Bainbridge who kept calm and did well to fire a well placed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Spartans net.
The second half began with Ashington seeking to increase their lead and they would have done so as the result of a long range thunderbolt without the contribution of Dobie in the Blyth goal. He flung himself high to the right and not only prevented the ball from going over the line buy he actually managed to hold onto it bringing a well deserved round of applause from both sets of supporters. Although Dobie did well in this match his efforts were matched by the defensive and midfield players in
front of him. Jordan Yeomans, Jack Harding, Charlie Turney, Brandon Nadeem, Ayrton Browning, Alex You’ll and Matthew Fretwell all grafted hard to limit the Ashington forwards to half chances and speculative long range shots.
Spartans almost drew level when Liam Tweddle cleverly slipped the ball to Blyth's Man of the Match Sam Johnson who in turn sent a well weighted ball to James Golding. Golding steadied himself and produced a fierce goal bound shot only to be denied by a fine save from Ashington’s Phillips who
dived low to his left to skilfully divert the ball out of harms way. Moments later following a well timed run into the Ashington box Blyth’s Daniel Carr was unlucky to see a header go just wide of the home goal. Like their opposition counterparts the Ashington defence were also effective and well organised and they worked hard to ensure that Spartans did not create too many clear cut chances. Spartan Dan Burge threatened the home goal with a couple of well struck long range efforts but both
times Phillips was able to keep them out of the net. Even though they could see the points slipping away from them the Spartans didn’t give up on the game. They worked hard until the final whistle and
it would have been no injustice had they taken at least a point from this game. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashington AFC Under 11’s 4 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 3
From the kick off two evenly matched teams went at each other furiously. In the seventh minute Reece Dobie was called into action in the Blyth goal and kept the scores level by diving low to his right to turn a goal bound shot around the post. At the other end a long range piledriver from Blyth’s Sam Johnson was acrobatically saved by Ashington keeper Jordan Nichol who flung himself across the goal to prevent his side from going behind.
It was Ashington who broke the deadlock on ten minutes when Jake Cadwallader skilfully drove home a low shot from the edge of the Blyth penalty area. They quickly added a second when Harry Bainbridge ran on to a high through ball to provide a confident finish leaving Dobie in the Blyth goal with no chance. Even at two down Spartans refused to let their heads drop. Robbie Potter was through on goal and looked odds on to score only to be denied by the bravery of Ashington keeper Nichol who dived at his feet to preserve the home team’s two goal cushion. Shortly before half time following some good work from Charlie Turney Potter played a neat through ball to Sam Johnson
who was unfortunate to see a fierce right foot drive fly just over the bar.
In the Blyth defence Ayrton Browning produced a tremendous clearance from his own goal line to deny the home team. Shortly afterwards there was a cruel blow for Spartans when just before the interval Ashington added a third goal when a well struck low shot from the right by Tate Phillips flashed through a crowd of players and found its way into the visitor’s net.
Blyth should have been dead and buried at this point but the half time
team talk seemed to have inspired a never say die attitude and they came out with a renewed sense of purpose. The second half started with both team scoring from long range. Ashingtons Tate claimed Ashingtons last and his second of the game when he beat Dobie with a sweetly struck shot from outside of the box. Not to be outdone Blyth’s Dan Burge hit a thunderbolt from his own half which Nichol in the Ashington goal was unable to hold on to and the slippery ball somehow made its way over the line.
Burge turned provider for Spartans second goal when he slipped a well weighted through ball from the left hand side of the penalty area to Sam Johnson who calmly buried the ball in the Ashington net. Blyth’s revival continued shortly afterwards when hard running striker Jake Whisson took control of the ball on the left wing. He advanced on goal and showed composure by waiting for the keeper to commit himself before driving the ball high into the Ashington goal.
At four goals to three Spartans were right back in it and it was Ashington’s turn to soak up the pressure. The tremendous fightback by the visitors looked like it might come off in the latter stages of this game with everyone bar the goalkeeper camping out in the Ashington half Spartans Man of the match Brandon Nadeem ran himself into the ground making well timed tackles and interceptions in and around his own penalty area as well as popping up deep in the Ashington half to support his front players. Fellow defender Jordan Yeomans showed grit and determination breaking down attacks, harassing the Ashington forwards and providing a good supply to his own midfield.
The Blyth team kept up their pressure right up until the final whistle but were unable to claw back the goal that would have taken this cup tie into extra time. Some of the frozen supporters from both sides would maybe not have welcomed another twenty minutes standing in the wind and rain but in truth
it would have been no more than Spartans deserved. A cracking cup tie and a spirited (if ultimately unsuccessful) fightback from the Spartans! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd March 2008 - Pinpoint League
Blyth Spartans under 11’s 2 Prudhoe YC under 11’s 5
A new stadium and a new start.
Against the wind Spartans dug in and battled well. Prudhoe were on the offensive but Blyth’s back line coped well with the pressure. Man of the Match Reece Dobie pulled off a string of fine saves and when his goal did look in danger Charlie Turney and Matthew Fretwell weighed in with some important last ditch challenges and clearances. The traffic was not all one way and Blyth’s Liam Tweddle, James Golding, Daniel Burge and Brandon Nadeem were all unlucky in front of goal on at least one occasion. Even though the wind was against them Blyth matched their opponents in every department and both teams left the field at half time to a well deserved round of applause from the spectators.
In the second period Blyth took the lead with a classic example of route one football. Dobie produced a ball with great distance on it which bounced over the Prudhoe midfield and into the path of Daniel Burge who shrugged off a challenge before applying a confident finish which gave the keeper no chance. The visitors responded with a series of passes and a well worked goal through the middle of the Blyth defence and within minutes took the lead thanks to a fantastic shot from the right hand side of the Spartans penalty area which flew into the roof of Dobie’s net. Things went from bad to worse from a Blyth point of view when the lead was extended to threegoals to one with another high quality strike from the Prudhoe front line. Sam Johnson got Spartans back into the game following a determined run with a confident and well taken right footed shot. At this stage it looked as though there might be something in this game for the Spartans but although they battled hard resistance was killed off with a further two well taken goals from Prudhoe towards the end of the match.
The new stadium is at what used to be Blyth Grammar School and I recall coming here when the world was in black and white for swimming tuition. The lessons seemed to consist of being marinated in a vat of other people’s urine whilst being simultaneously supplied with a range of interestingly shaped verrucas. With the intervening years it occurs to me that whilst the nature of my experience of the place has changed the quality of that experience seems to have remained consistent. The only
differences are now that it feels as if the urine is being extracted rather than added and the pain has moved about three feet upwards from my foot.
Are there Gods of Football that everybody else prays to that no one has told us about? Every week we play well. The outfits that we play against generally know that they have been in a game and apart from the by now traditional period of the game when the team switches off we look to have a set of players who can do more than compete at this level. When will it end?
A new stadium and a new start.
Against the wind Spartans dug in and battled well. Prudhoe were on the offensive but Blyth’s back line coped well with the pressure. Man of the Match Reece Dobie pulled off a string of fine saves and when his goal did look in danger Charlie Turney and Matthew Fretwell weighed in with some important last ditch challenges and clearances. The traffic was not all one way and Blyth’s Liam Tweddle, James Golding, Daniel Burge and Brandon Nadeem were all unlucky in front of goal on at least one occasion. Even though the wind was against them Blyth matched their opponents in every department and both teams left the field at half time to a well deserved round of applause from the spectators.
In the second period Blyth took the lead with a classic example of route one football. Dobie produced a ball with great distance on it which bounced over the Prudhoe midfield and into the path of Daniel Burge who shrugged off a challenge before applying a confident finish which gave the keeper no chance. The visitors responded with a series of passes and a well worked goal through the middle of the Blyth defence and within minutes took the lead thanks to a fantastic shot from the right hand side of the Spartans penalty area which flew into the roof of Dobie’s net. Things went from bad to worse from a Blyth point of view when the lead was extended to threegoals to one with another high quality strike from the Prudhoe front line. Sam Johnson got Spartans back into the game following a determined run with a confident and well taken right footed shot. At this stage it looked as though there might be something in this game for the Spartans but although they battled hard resistance was killed off with a further two well taken goals from Prudhoe towards the end of the match.
The new stadium is at what used to be Blyth Grammar School and I recall coming here when the world was in black and white for swimming tuition. The lessons seemed to consist of being marinated in a vat of other people’s urine whilst being simultaneously supplied with a range of interestingly shaped verrucas. With the intervening years it occurs to me that whilst the nature of my experience of the place has changed the quality of that experience seems to have remained consistent. The only
differences are now that it feels as if the urine is being extracted rather than added and the pain has moved about three feet upwards from my foot.
Are there Gods of Football that everybody else prays to that no one has told us about? Every week we play well. The outfits that we play against generally know that they have been in a game and apart from the by now traditional period of the game when the team switches off we look to have a set of players who can do more than compete at this level. When will it end?
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24th February 2008 - Pinpoint League
Blyth Town under 11's 5 Blyth Spartans Under 11's 2
Although Town won this game it was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggested and for large parts of the match Spartans matched them in every department. Spartans were committed from the kick off and Sam Johnson was unlucky to see an early shot saved by the Town keeper. Brandon Nadeem almost put Spartans ahead but again the keeper came to town’s rescue with a brave dive at his feet. Minutes later Nadeem broke down the right wing and fed the ball skilfully to Johnson and yet again the goalkeeper produced a fine save, throwing himself high to his left to push the ball away. Town rallied and Spartans keeper Reece Dobie was next to show his quality by flinging himself high to the left hand side to collect a goalbound shot. Dobie was beaten a few minutes later but perhaps got the luck he deserved when a powerfully hit shot bounced back off the post. Not to be outdone by his own keeper Spartans defender Ayrton Browning weighed in with a last gasp tackle to keep the scores even. The half looked set to end without either side being able to break the deadlock when Town’s Ben Connell pounced onto a loose ball and stroked it skilfully past Dobie into the Spartans net. Spartans equalised with the last kick of the first half when Burge fed Nadeem on the right hand side who produced a piledriving finish which finally beat the Town goalkeeper.
Spartans kept the initiative for the first part of the second half and were almost rewarded when Charlie Turney slipped the ball neatly to James Golding who saw his effort fly inches wide of the home team’s upright. Town’s Kieran Richardson gave his side the lead with a fine solo goal. Picking the ball up a long way out he made a surging run down the left wing and shrugged off numerous challenges before burying a tremendous long range shot in the back of the away side’s goal.
The next five minutes saw a nightmare familiar to anyone who has made a habit of watching this Spartans team during the current campaign. Disheartened by the goal against them they switched off and allowed Town to score from what were their next three attacking moves. It looked like we were heading towards a total collapse but just as quickly as they had switched off Spartans began to fight back and re-assert themselves on the game and it was no more than they deserved when a finely worked goal made the score a more respectable 5-2. Picking up the ball in the centre of midfield Robbie Potter cleverly made himself some space before firing a slide rule pass to hard running Burge who drew the advancing Town keeper before smashing the ball into the back of the net. Five two in the end and no one could deny Blyth town a well deserved victory however for large parts of this game it was not possible to tell which ends of the league table these two teams are occupying at present. Spartans should take heart from this performance (if not the result) and look forward to the rest of the season with a little more confidence.
Although Town won this game it was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggested and for large parts of the match Spartans matched them in every department. Spartans were committed from the kick off and Sam Johnson was unlucky to see an early shot saved by the Town keeper. Brandon Nadeem almost put Spartans ahead but again the keeper came to town’s rescue with a brave dive at his feet. Minutes later Nadeem broke down the right wing and fed the ball skilfully to Johnson and yet again the goalkeeper produced a fine save, throwing himself high to his left to push the ball away. Town rallied and Spartans keeper Reece Dobie was next to show his quality by flinging himself high to the left hand side to collect a goalbound shot. Dobie was beaten a few minutes later but perhaps got the luck he deserved when a powerfully hit shot bounced back off the post. Not to be outdone by his own keeper Spartans defender Ayrton Browning weighed in with a last gasp tackle to keep the scores even. The half looked set to end without either side being able to break the deadlock when Town’s Ben Connell pounced onto a loose ball and stroked it skilfully past Dobie into the Spartans net. Spartans equalised with the last kick of the first half when Burge fed Nadeem on the right hand side who produced a piledriving finish which finally beat the Town goalkeeper.
Spartans kept the initiative for the first part of the second half and were almost rewarded when Charlie Turney slipped the ball neatly to James Golding who saw his effort fly inches wide of the home team’s upright. Town’s Kieran Richardson gave his side the lead with a fine solo goal. Picking the ball up a long way out he made a surging run down the left wing and shrugged off numerous challenges before burying a tremendous long range shot in the back of the away side’s goal.
The next five minutes saw a nightmare familiar to anyone who has made a habit of watching this Spartans team during the current campaign. Disheartened by the goal against them they switched off and allowed Town to score from what were their next three attacking moves. It looked like we were heading towards a total collapse but just as quickly as they had switched off Spartans began to fight back and re-assert themselves on the game and it was no more than they deserved when a finely worked goal made the score a more respectable 5-2. Picking up the ball in the centre of midfield Robbie Potter cleverly made himself some space before firing a slide rule pass to hard running Burge who drew the advancing Town keeper before smashing the ball into the back of the net. Five two in the end and no one could deny Blyth town a well deserved victory however for large parts of this game it was not possible to tell which ends of the league table these two teams are occupying at present. Spartans should take heart from this performance (if not the result) and look forward to the rest of the season with a little more confidence.
A point of interest was that when Blyth Town scored the Spartans parents applauded the quality of the goal. After Town took the lead a cry came from the opposing side of the pitch along the lines of "Let's show them who is the only team in Blyth" Someone over there (apart from being jolly unsporting) appeared to be labouring under the mis-apprehension that not only would Blyth Town get three points by beating Spartans but that their victory would mean that our kids would no longer exist as a team? It was not a classy moment. To gloat about being attached to (even what may well
>> be) the best under 11's football team currently operating from a small industrial town in the North East corner of a minor European country seems akin to feeling smug about being one of the world's tallest midgets? In fairness I suppose it could just have been a "heat of the moment " thing and it shouldn't detract from the fact that the players from both sides played the game in the right spirit but maybe a sense of perspective wouldn't go amiss?
>> be) the best under 11's football team currently operating from a small industrial town in the North East corner of a minor European country seems akin to feeling smug about being one of the world's tallest midgets? In fairness I suppose it could just have been a "heat of the moment " thing and it shouldn't detract from the fact that the players from both sides played the game in the right spirit but maybe a sense of perspective wouldn't go amiss?
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17th Feb 2008
Whitley Bay Coast Soccer 3 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0
Spartans came out of the blocks well and were unlucky when Daniel Burge produced a well flighted free kick that split the coast defence and found the feet of Sam Johnson who was unfortunate to see his fierce drive go just wide of the right hand upright. Coast responded strongly and Blyth were grateful to Ayrton Browning who weighed in with a very important block to deny the home side a goal. Both goalkeepers were busy during the first half of this match. The coast keeper made a string of saves and interceptions to deny the Blyth front line and Spartans stopper Reece Dobie produced a fine block and perhaps deserved the luck that came his way when the advancing striker put the rebound over the bar when it looked easier to score. Boths defences played determined football and even though the game was entertaining it was perhaps no surprise when the first half ended without either side breaking the deadlock.
The second half started well for Blyth with Liam Tweddle unlucky to produce a strong solo run down the left that came to nothing thanks to some determined defending. Coast broke the deadlock when a cross came over from the left and found it’s way to an unmarked forward who carefully placed the ball into the centre of the goal. Blyth rallied and on another day could have expected a return from a couple of chances which fell to Burge and Robbie Potter but both produced final shots which went agonisingly close to the uprights. The second goal in a game of football is the important one. Either the teams return to equal footing or a gap opens up leaving one side potentially demoralised and chasing the game. In recent games that side has been Spartans and today was no exception. Coasts second goal was the result of a skilful solo run that left the Spartans defence with no chance.
As good as the second strike was the third and final goal was perhaps a bit lucky. A strongly hit shot from the home team forward looked to be goalbound when Dobie dived to produce a fine save only to see his block rebound from another player and into his net.
I’m tired of writing (and you’re probably tired of reading?) match reports which say something like “Spartans played well but following a breakthrough goal from the opposition seemed to lose their way a bit” but it seems to be the story of the season so far. Being a Newcastle fan I’m well used to mid table mediocrity and would hope that Spartans could put a
bit of a run together to get me back into my “comfort zone”. At a level where you can’t rely a porky billionaire to turn up to buy Ronaldo, Gerrard, Rooney and Adebayor during the close season (it’s going to happen I tell you!) we’ll just have to hope that the chaps rediscover their early season form.
Almost as hard to bear as the defeat was the smell of Yorkshire puddings drifting from the kitchens of the Foxhunters pub. On a site that does not have a shop where you can buy bacon sandwiches surely this kind of activity constitutes a violation of our human rights? There should be a law against it and if there’s not then Ronnie Campbell must be informed forthwith! Whilst on the subject of Yorkshire puddings honourable mention should be made of our own resident Yorkshire Puddings (Leeds United) fan and human dynamo Paul who walked to Whitley Bay from Blyth before this match but who still had the energy to run the line and occasionally hoist a flag above his head. I bet he’s still asleep.
Whitley Bay Coast Soccer 3 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0
Spartans came out of the blocks well and were unlucky when Daniel Burge produced a well flighted free kick that split the coast defence and found the feet of Sam Johnson who was unfortunate to see his fierce drive go just wide of the right hand upright. Coast responded strongly and Blyth were grateful to Ayrton Browning who weighed in with a very important block to deny the home side a goal. Both goalkeepers were busy during the first half of this match. The coast keeper made a string of saves and interceptions to deny the Blyth front line and Spartans stopper Reece Dobie produced a fine block and perhaps deserved the luck that came his way when the advancing striker put the rebound over the bar when it looked easier to score. Boths defences played determined football and even though the game was entertaining it was perhaps no surprise when the first half ended without either side breaking the deadlock.
The second half started well for Blyth with Liam Tweddle unlucky to produce a strong solo run down the left that came to nothing thanks to some determined defending. Coast broke the deadlock when a cross came over from the left and found it’s way to an unmarked forward who carefully placed the ball into the centre of the goal. Blyth rallied and on another day could have expected a return from a couple of chances which fell to Burge and Robbie Potter but both produced final shots which went agonisingly close to the uprights. The second goal in a game of football is the important one. Either the teams return to equal footing or a gap opens up leaving one side potentially demoralised and chasing the game. In recent games that side has been Spartans and today was no exception. Coasts second goal was the result of a skilful solo run that left the Spartans defence with no chance.
As good as the second strike was the third and final goal was perhaps a bit lucky. A strongly hit shot from the home team forward looked to be goalbound when Dobie dived to produce a fine save only to see his block rebound from another player and into his net.
I’m tired of writing (and you’re probably tired of reading?) match reports which say something like “Spartans played well but following a breakthrough goal from the opposition seemed to lose their way a bit” but it seems to be the story of the season so far. Being a Newcastle fan I’m well used to mid table mediocrity and would hope that Spartans could put a
bit of a run together to get me back into my “comfort zone”. At a level where you can’t rely a porky billionaire to turn up to buy Ronaldo, Gerrard, Rooney and Adebayor during the close season (it’s going to happen I tell you!) we’ll just have to hope that the chaps rediscover their early season form.
Almost as hard to bear as the defeat was the smell of Yorkshire puddings drifting from the kitchens of the Foxhunters pub. On a site that does not have a shop where you can buy bacon sandwiches surely this kind of activity constitutes a violation of our human rights? There should be a law against it and if there’s not then Ronnie Campbell must be informed forthwith! Whilst on the subject of Yorkshire puddings honourable mention should be made of our own resident Yorkshire Puddings (Leeds United) fan and human dynamo Paul who walked to Whitley Bay from Blyth before this match but who still had the energy to run the line and occasionally hoist a flag above his head. I bet he’s still asleep.
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10th February 2008 - Pinpoint League
Newcastle East End Under 11’s 4 Blyth Spartans under 11’s 1
East End were able to avenge their previous defeat at the hands of Spartans with a battling performance that showed just how much the side has improved this season. The steams were committed from the start and the early stages saw both goalkeepers called into action. Blyth’s man of the match Reece Dobie pulled off a breathtaking save by flinging himself to his left to tip a fierce goalbound shot over the bar. Unfortunately the next time he touched the ball it was to pick it out of the net as East End’s Luke Walker skilfully converted a half chance to put the Newcastle side one nil up. Spartans came back determinedly and following some well worked interplay between Charlie Turney and Sam Johnson the ball fell to Ayrton Browning who produced a tremendous long range effort that rattled the East end crossbar.
Blyth were unlucky again moments later when Johnson slipped the ball to Alex Youll who was unlucky to see his effort go narrowly over the bar. East End came back into the game and Blyth defender Jack Harding proved his worth by keeping his side in the game with a spectacular headed clearance from his own goal line. The home team’s pressure paid off shortly later when Walker scored again. The ball was fed down the right wing and crossed at pace leaving the well positioned striker to calmly slot home.
Spartans did not give up and within minutes fought their way back into the game with a well deserved goal when Youll fed a well struck cross from the right for Johnson to smartly fire home from six yards.
Everything to play for in the second half but it was the city team that took the points thanks to two more well worked goals. Turner Carr eased the pressure on East End with a fiercely stuck drive that buried itself in the bottom of the Blyth net and Ryan Storey weighed in with a well taken goal later in the game to make the victory look a little bit more comfortable than it actually was.
A good game and a hard earned three points for East End and a familiar routine for Spartans of producing a battling performance early on before being overrun in the later stages of a game.
In the film Groundhog Day the character played by Bill Murray has to live through the same day over and over again until he realises the error of his ways and finally gets it right. In truth it wasn’t a very good film but at least my feet weren’t cold when I watched it.
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3rd February 2008 - Pinpoint League
Ellington Eagles Under 11’s 6 Blyth Spartans under 11’s 0
Last Sunday’s game was abandoned because of high winds and Spartans might have wished the same this time as Ellington ran out well deserved and comfortable winners in a game spoiled as a spectacle by the weather. Ellington went ahead following a corner when the ball was struck high into the Blyth net and doubled their lead a little later with a well taken goal from a low shot from the edge of the box. Having been caught cold Spartans almost fought their way back into the game with the Eagles keeper diving low to his left to pull off a fine save, to deny Blyth’s Robbie Potter.
Two down at the interval Spartans were unlucky in the early stages of the second half when man of the match Brandon Nadeem made a probing run down the right wing to be denied only by a desperate block from an Ellington defender. Blyth midfielder Sam Johnson was also unlucky following a terrific solo run to see his strongly hit shot pass just wide of the Ellington goal. Ellington’s third goal just before the break came thanks to a lucky (or unlucky?) deflection.
The second half followed the by now familiar pattern of Spartans tiring and giving goals away cheaply. The home side’s fourth goal came thanks to a well hit but speculative shot from distance and the fifth was the result of another long range effort, this time a low shot which made it’s way through a crowd of players and into the back of the net. Near the end of the game Ellington wrapped the points up in style with a fierce long range drive that Blyth keeper Reece Dobie did very well to get a hand to before it made it’s way into the goal.
Another defeat but to their credit the Blyth lads battled to the end and although well beaten they played in a good spirit and seemed to enjoy the game. The parents on the other hand had yet another day of being stood around like a line of depressed penguins waiting for someone (anyone?) to throw them a fish. Those parents who follow Sunderland are well used to being ground down by a series of inevitable and utterly predictable reverses and will be able to bear the current results with their usual fortitude but for the rest of us this is uncharted waters. When will it end?
Ellington Eagles Under 11’s 6 Blyth Spartans under 11’s 0
Last Sunday’s game was abandoned because of high winds and Spartans might have wished the same this time as Ellington ran out well deserved and comfortable winners in a game spoiled as a spectacle by the weather. Ellington went ahead following a corner when the ball was struck high into the Blyth net and doubled their lead a little later with a well taken goal from a low shot from the edge of the box. Having been caught cold Spartans almost fought their way back into the game with the Eagles keeper diving low to his left to pull off a fine save, to deny Blyth’s Robbie Potter.
Two down at the interval Spartans were unlucky in the early stages of the second half when man of the match Brandon Nadeem made a probing run down the right wing to be denied only by a desperate block from an Ellington defender. Blyth midfielder Sam Johnson was also unlucky following a terrific solo run to see his strongly hit shot pass just wide of the Ellington goal. Ellington’s third goal just before the break came thanks to a lucky (or unlucky?) deflection.
The second half followed the by now familiar pattern of Spartans tiring and giving goals away cheaply. The home side’s fourth goal came thanks to a well hit but speculative shot from distance and the fifth was the result of another long range effort, this time a low shot which made it’s way through a crowd of players and into the back of the net. Near the end of the game Ellington wrapped the points up in style with a fierce long range drive that Blyth keeper Reece Dobie did very well to get a hand to before it made it’s way into the goal.
Another defeat but to their credit the Blyth lads battled to the end and although well beaten they played in a good spirit and seemed to enjoy the game. The parents on the other hand had yet another day of being stood around like a line of depressed penguins waiting for someone (anyone?) to throw them a fish. Those parents who follow Sunderland are well used to being ground down by a series of inevitable and utterly predictable reverses and will be able to bear the current results with their usual fortitude but for the rest of us this is uncharted waters. When will it end?
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20th January 2008 - Pinpoint League
Blyth Spartans under 11’s vs Prudhoe under 11’s
A fine performance in terms of commitment and effort but for the second week in a row Spartans switched off for a ten minute period to allow their opponents to run up a few goals. Last weeks game saw Kingston Park score five goals in the last ten minutes of what had until then been a closely
fought contest. This week it was Prudhoe’s turn to benefit from Blyth’s generosity. The difference between this week and last was that rather than concede at the end of the match Spartans contrived to give their opponents a two goal advantage at the start.
This was supposed to be a home fixture but because we are currently “between stadiums” the game was played in (and on one of) the hills surrounding Prudhoe. The match kicked off with Blyth playing against the wind but with the slope and Prudhoe wasted no time in taking a two goal lead. The first was a well taken strike from a break through the middle and the second saw the ball bundled into the net at the end of an untidy goalmouth scramble. It looked as though there was a rout on the cards and it is to Blyth’s credit that they rolled up their sleeves and fought their way back into the game.
Following some hard work Sam Johnson was unlucky to find himself through on goal only to see the Prudhoe keeper make a fine save and Dan Burge had a long range effort from the left fly just wide of the Prudhoe goal. Man of the Match Burge came even closer moments later when another shot
from distance bounced off the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly along the line before being hacked clear. Spartans hard work was eventually rewarded when Burge fired a fierce ball into the area for Johnson to pounce and place the ball past the keeper and into the net.
Spartans kept up the pressure and would have been good value for an equaliser but the home team scored the goal that turned the game with just about the last kick of the first half. A fierce shot from the edge of the area that Blyth keeper Reece Dobie did well to get a hand to ended up in the back of the net and even though they were playing downhill in the second half Blyth had a mountain to climb (sorry I couldn’t resist it).
The start of the second period saw the home side increase their goal tally to four but as I was buying a cup of tea at the time I have no idea if the goal was the result of a header, a volley or a rebound from the backside of one of the mountain goats that graze on the upper slopes of the Prudhoe
pitch. I’m very sorry and it won’t happen again! In future I will send my wife to get the tea (I’m sure the bloke in a frock that morning said something about love honour and OBEY?……..anyway I’ll have my lawyers look into that one just as soon as I get some lawyers).
Luckily I was at my post (with a cup of tea and a nice biscuit) when Dan Burge brought Spartans back into the game with a well taken terrific looping strike from outside the box. At four two down Blyth worked hard to get back into the game but despite keeping up the pressure on the home goal and with the hard working Burge again hitting the woodwork with just about the last kick of the game the
fact was that by gifting two early goals to a very good Prudhoe team Spartans gave themselves too much to do. The Prudhoe team were skilful, hard working and well organised and they deserved the points but Spartans deserve credit for not letting their heads drop. With a little more concentration it should not belong before they get back to winning ways.
Blyth Spartans under 11’s vs Prudhoe under 11’s
A fine performance in terms of commitment and effort but for the second week in a row Spartans switched off for a ten minute period to allow their opponents to run up a few goals. Last weeks game saw Kingston Park score five goals in the last ten minutes of what had until then been a closely
fought contest. This week it was Prudhoe’s turn to benefit from Blyth’s generosity. The difference between this week and last was that rather than concede at the end of the match Spartans contrived to give their opponents a two goal advantage at the start.
This was supposed to be a home fixture but because we are currently “between stadiums” the game was played in (and on one of) the hills surrounding Prudhoe. The match kicked off with Blyth playing against the wind but with the slope and Prudhoe wasted no time in taking a two goal lead. The first was a well taken strike from a break through the middle and the second saw the ball bundled into the net at the end of an untidy goalmouth scramble. It looked as though there was a rout on the cards and it is to Blyth’s credit that they rolled up their sleeves and fought their way back into the game.
Following some hard work Sam Johnson was unlucky to find himself through on goal only to see the Prudhoe keeper make a fine save and Dan Burge had a long range effort from the left fly just wide of the Prudhoe goal. Man of the Match Burge came even closer moments later when another shot
from distance bounced off the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly along the line before being hacked clear. Spartans hard work was eventually rewarded when Burge fired a fierce ball into the area for Johnson to pounce and place the ball past the keeper and into the net.
Spartans kept up the pressure and would have been good value for an equaliser but the home team scored the goal that turned the game with just about the last kick of the first half. A fierce shot from the edge of the area that Blyth keeper Reece Dobie did well to get a hand to ended up in the back of the net and even though they were playing downhill in the second half Blyth had a mountain to climb (sorry I couldn’t resist it).
The start of the second period saw the home side increase their goal tally to four but as I was buying a cup of tea at the time I have no idea if the goal was the result of a header, a volley or a rebound from the backside of one of the mountain goats that graze on the upper slopes of the Prudhoe
pitch. I’m very sorry and it won’t happen again! In future I will send my wife to get the tea (I’m sure the bloke in a frock that morning said something about love honour and OBEY?……..anyway I’ll have my lawyers look into that one just as soon as I get some lawyers).
Luckily I was at my post (with a cup of tea and a nice biscuit) when Dan Burge brought Spartans back into the game with a well taken terrific looping strike from outside the box. At four two down Blyth worked hard to get back into the game but despite keeping up the pressure on the home goal and with the hard working Burge again hitting the woodwork with just about the last kick of the game the
fact was that by gifting two early goals to a very good Prudhoe team Spartans gave themselves too much to do. The Prudhoe team were skilful, hard working and well organised and they deserved the points but Spartans deserve credit for not letting their heads drop. With a little more concentration it should not belong before they get back to winning ways.
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Pinpoint Under 11’s League Sunday Jan 13th 2008
Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 2 Kingston Park Falcons 9
A glance at the scoreline would suggest that Kingston Park strolled through this game with little or no resistance from The Spartans but the reality was that they were made to work very hard for the points and in the early stages it was Blyth who made all of the running. Spartans came straight out of the blocks eager to avenge a four goal defeat by Kingston Park and The Falcons had to thank their in form keeper Shaun McDonald who dived acrobatically to save a blistering shot from Blyth’s Daniel Burge in the opening minute. Seconds later Burge tried his luck from the edge of the box only to be
again denied by a diving McDonald.
After riding their luck and soaking up some early pressure the Newcastle side started to string some passes together and had some promising moves broken up by Spartans defensive pairing of Charlie Turney and Matthew Fretwell, the latter staying cool under pressure to not only break up a dangerous Kingston Park attack but to distribute the ball to midfielder James Golding who then fed the ball to Sam Johnson down the left wing. Johnson cut iside and drew the keeper before unselfishly squaring the ball to Robbie Potter for an easy tap in to make it one Nil to the home team.
Kingston Park were stung into action and applied strong pressure only to be denied by Brandon Nadeem who came up with a tremendous header on his own goal line which preserved Blyth’s advantage. The Spartans went two up when following some hard work Alex Youll sent over a cross from the right for Robbie Potter to fire home his second of the game.
Blyth were looking to press home their advantage but were undone when Kingston Park clawed their way back into the game with a goal from a fine chip from the edge of the box. They drew level just before half time thanks to the best goal of the game which came as the result of a strongly struck shot from way outside the penalty area.
The teams went in level at half time but it was Kingston park who had the better of the second period.
They went ahead thanks to a low shot that flashed into the right hand corner of the Blyth net and almost scored again within moments to see a goal bound shot pushed onto the bar by the head of a determined Jordan Yoemans. Mc Donald was again called into action in the Park goal to deny Potter who tried his luck with a fiercely struck shot from distance. This was perhaps the turning point in the match as within minutes Kingston Park went another goal ahead to knock the stuffing out of the Blyth side.
At four – two down Spartans seemed to lose heart and for the last ten minutes of this match the visitors seemed to score with every attack and it was an act of mercy when the referee blew his whistle. Earlier in the season Kingston Park beat Spartans by four goals to nil and to be fair the margin could have been much greater. In this match the margin was greater but Spartans were in control and in front for long periods before collapsing in the last ten minutes. Wilson got a well deserved hat trick for Kingston Park but the real inspiration for the Gosforth team was goalkeeper McDonald who performed heroics in the first half to allow the visitors to keep in touch. It’s a funny old game.
Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 2 Kingston Park Falcons 9
A glance at the scoreline would suggest that Kingston Park strolled through this game with little or no resistance from The Spartans but the reality was that they were made to work very hard for the points and in the early stages it was Blyth who made all of the running. Spartans came straight out of the blocks eager to avenge a four goal defeat by Kingston Park and The Falcons had to thank their in form keeper Shaun McDonald who dived acrobatically to save a blistering shot from Blyth’s Daniel Burge in the opening minute. Seconds later Burge tried his luck from the edge of the box only to be
again denied by a diving McDonald.
After riding their luck and soaking up some early pressure the Newcastle side started to string some passes together and had some promising moves broken up by Spartans defensive pairing of Charlie Turney and Matthew Fretwell, the latter staying cool under pressure to not only break up a dangerous Kingston Park attack but to distribute the ball to midfielder James Golding who then fed the ball to Sam Johnson down the left wing. Johnson cut iside and drew the keeper before unselfishly squaring the ball to Robbie Potter for an easy tap in to make it one Nil to the home team.
Kingston Park were stung into action and applied strong pressure only to be denied by Brandon Nadeem who came up with a tremendous header on his own goal line which preserved Blyth’s advantage. The Spartans went two up when following some hard work Alex Youll sent over a cross from the right for Robbie Potter to fire home his second of the game.
Blyth were looking to press home their advantage but were undone when Kingston Park clawed their way back into the game with a goal from a fine chip from the edge of the box. They drew level just before half time thanks to the best goal of the game which came as the result of a strongly struck shot from way outside the penalty area.
The teams went in level at half time but it was Kingston park who had the better of the second period.
They went ahead thanks to a low shot that flashed into the right hand corner of the Blyth net and almost scored again within moments to see a goal bound shot pushed onto the bar by the head of a determined Jordan Yoemans. Mc Donald was again called into action in the Park goal to deny Potter who tried his luck with a fiercely struck shot from distance. This was perhaps the turning point in the match as within minutes Kingston Park went another goal ahead to knock the stuffing out of the Blyth side.
At four – two down Spartans seemed to lose heart and for the last ten minutes of this match the visitors seemed to score with every attack and it was an act of mercy when the referee blew his whistle. Earlier in the season Kingston Park beat Spartans by four goals to nil and to be fair the margin could have been much greater. In this match the margin was greater but Spartans were in control and in front for long periods before collapsing in the last ten minutes. Wilson got a well deserved hat trick for Kingston Park but the real inspiration for the Gosforth team was goalkeeper McDonald who performed heroics in the first half to allow the visitors to keep in touch. It’s a funny old game.
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Sunday 2nd December 2007 - Pinpoint Leaugue
Ashington AFC Under 11’s 1 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0
A second visit to the very impressive Ashington ground in three weeks (we’ll have to tidy up when they come to our place!) and yet again Blyth were frustrated to lose an evenly matched contest by a single goal. The fact that this one finished 1-0 whilst the first game was a 4-3 “thriller” was a tribute to the hard working attitude of both team’s defensive and midfield players. Blyth Keeper Reece Dobie and his opposite number in the Ashington goal Jake Phillips each pulled off a string of fine saves to make this a low scoring but still absorbing game.
For the most part the first half of this game saw each team working hard to cancel out the other and although there was no lack of commitment and skill on show neither goal was under serious threat for the opening quarter of an hour. After that both teams had half chances that they failed to convert but it is fair to say that the real action was in the middle of the park rather than at either end.
Ashington secured the points with the only goal of the game in the dying seconds of the first half.
A goalmouth scramble in the Blyth penalty area resulted in a loose ball falling to Harry Bainbridge who kept calm and did well to fire a well placed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Spartans net.
The second half began with Ashington seeking to increase their lead and they would have done so as the result of a long range thunderbolt without the contribution of Dobie in the Blyth goal. He flung himself high to the right and not only prevented the ball from going over the line buy he actually managed to hold onto it bringing a well deserved round of applause from both sets of supporters. Although Dobie did well in this match his efforts were matched by the defensive and midfield players in
front of him. Jordan Yeomans, Jack Harding, Charlie Turney, Brandon Nadeem, Ayrton Browning, Alex You’ll and Matthew Fretwell all grafted hard to limit the Ashington forwards to half chances and speculative long range shots.
Spartans almost drew level when Liam Tweddle cleverly slipped the ball to Blyth's Man of the Match Sam Johnson who in turn sent a well weighted ball to James Golding. Golding steadied himself and produced a fierce goal bound shot only to be denied by a fine save from Ashington’s Phillips who
dived low to his left to skilfully divert the ball out of harms way. Moments later following a well timed run into the Ashington box Blyth’s Daniel Carr was unlucky to see a header go just wide of the home goal. Like their opposition counterparts the Ashington defence were also effective and well organised and they worked hard to ensure that Spartans did not create too many clear cut chances. Spartan Dan Burge threatened the home goal with a couple of well struck long range efforts but both
times Phillips was able to keep them out of the net. Even though they could see the points slipping away from them the Spartans didn’t give up on the game. They worked hard until the final whistle and
it would have been no injustice had they taken at least a point from this game.
Ashington AFC Under 11’s 1 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0
A second visit to the very impressive Ashington ground in three weeks (we’ll have to tidy up when they come to our place!) and yet again Blyth were frustrated to lose an evenly matched contest by a single goal. The fact that this one finished 1-0 whilst the first game was a 4-3 “thriller” was a tribute to the hard working attitude of both team’s defensive and midfield players. Blyth Keeper Reece Dobie and his opposite number in the Ashington goal Jake Phillips each pulled off a string of fine saves to make this a low scoring but still absorbing game.
For the most part the first half of this game saw each team working hard to cancel out the other and although there was no lack of commitment and skill on show neither goal was under serious threat for the opening quarter of an hour. After that both teams had half chances that they failed to convert but it is fair to say that the real action was in the middle of the park rather than at either end.
Ashington secured the points with the only goal of the game in the dying seconds of the first half.
A goalmouth scramble in the Blyth penalty area resulted in a loose ball falling to Harry Bainbridge who kept calm and did well to fire a well placed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Spartans net.
The second half began with Ashington seeking to increase their lead and they would have done so as the result of a long range thunderbolt without the contribution of Dobie in the Blyth goal. He flung himself high to the right and not only prevented the ball from going over the line buy he actually managed to hold onto it bringing a well deserved round of applause from both sets of supporters. Although Dobie did well in this match his efforts were matched by the defensive and midfield players in
front of him. Jordan Yeomans, Jack Harding, Charlie Turney, Brandon Nadeem, Ayrton Browning, Alex You’ll and Matthew Fretwell all grafted hard to limit the Ashington forwards to half chances and speculative long range shots.
Spartans almost drew level when Liam Tweddle cleverly slipped the ball to Blyth's Man of the Match Sam Johnson who in turn sent a well weighted ball to James Golding. Golding steadied himself and produced a fierce goal bound shot only to be denied by a fine save from Ashington’s Phillips who
dived low to his left to skilfully divert the ball out of harms way. Moments later following a well timed run into the Ashington box Blyth’s Daniel Carr was unlucky to see a header go just wide of the home goal. Like their opposition counterparts the Ashington defence were also effective and well organised and they worked hard to ensure that Spartans did not create too many clear cut chances. Spartan Dan Burge threatened the home goal with a couple of well struck long range efforts but both
times Phillips was able to keep them out of the net. Even though they could see the points slipping away from them the Spartans didn’t give up on the game. They worked hard until the final whistle and
it would have been no injustice had they taken at least a point from this game.
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Ashington AFC Under 11’s 4 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 3
From the kick off two evenly matched teams went at each other furiously. In the seventh minute Reece Dobie was called into action in the Blyth goal and kept the scores level by diving low to his right to turn a goal bound shot around the post. At the other end a long range piledriver from Blyth’s Sam Johnson was acrobatically saved by Ashington keeper Jordan Nichol who flung himself across the goal to prevent his side from going behind.
It was Ashington who broke the deadlock on ten minutes when Jake Cadwallader skilfully drove home a low shot from the edge of the Blyth penalty area. They quickly added a second when Harry Bainbridge ran on to a high through ball to provide a confident finish leaving Dobie in the Blyth goal with no chance. Even at two down Spartans refused to let their heads drop. Robbie Potter was through on goal and looked odds on to score only to be denied by the bravery of Ashington keeper Nichol who dived at his feet to preserve the home team’s two goal cushion. Shortly before half time following some good work from Charlie Turney Potter played a neat through ball to Sam Johnson
who was unfortunate to see a fierce right foot drive fly just over the bar.
In the Blyth defence Ayrton Browning produced a tremendous clearance from his own goal line to deny the home team. Shortly afterwards there was a cruel blow for Spartans when just before the interval Ashington added a third goal when a well struck low shot from the right by Tate Phillips flashed through a crowd of players and found its way into the visitor’s net.
Blyth should have been dead and buried at this point but the half time
team talk seemed to have inspired a never say die attitude and they came out with a renewed sense of purpose. The second half started with both team scoring from long range. Ashingtons Tate claimed Ashingtons last and his second of the game when he beat Dobie with a sweetly struck shot from outside of the box. Not to be outdone Blyth’s Dan Burge hit a thunderbolt from his own half which Nichol in the Ashington goal was unable to hold on to and the slippery ball somehow made its way over the line.
Burge turned provider for Spartans second goal when he slipped a well weighted through ball from the left hand side of the penalty area to Sam Johnson who calmly buried the ball in the Ashington net. Blyth’s revival continued shortly afterwards when hard running striker Jake Whisson took control of the ball on the left wing. He advanced on goal and showed composure by waiting for the keeper to commit himself before driving the ball high into the Ashington goal.
At four goals to three Spartans were right back in it and it was Ashington’s turn to soak up the pressure. The tremendous fightback by the visitors looked like it might come off in the latter stages of this game with everyone bar the goalkeeper camping out in the Ashington half Spartans Man of the match Brandon Nadeem ran himself into the ground making well timed tackles and interceptions in and around his own penalty area as well as popping up deep in the Ashington half to support his front players. Fellow defender Jordan Yeomans showed grit and determination breaking down attacks, harassing the Ashington forwards and providing a good supply to his own midfield.
The Blyth team kept up their pressure right up until the final whistle but were unable to claw back the goal that would have taken this cup tie into extra time. Some of the frozen supporters from both sides would maybe not have welcomed another twenty minutes standing in the wind and rain but in truth
it would have been no more than Spartans deserved. A cracking cup tie and a spirited (if ultimately unsuccessful) fightback from the Spartans!
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