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Valiant defending earns Blyth a point
BLYTH Spartans secured a creditable draw at AFC Telford on Saturday – an away fixture where they have found it difficult to get a result in the past.
Spartans did have to defend valiantly in the second period to earn the point yet they almost claimed all three in the later stages of the game.
Telford created the first meaningful opening when 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 referee Simon Barrow.
Telford had a golden opportunity to equalise before the interval when 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.
Blyth Spartans: Cunningham, Harrison, Cave, Tait, Swailes, Buchanan, Deverdics, Turnbull, Brayson, Hooks, Dale. Subs not used: Graham, Alexander, Morris, Groves, Smith.
Attendance: 2,005.
On Saturday Blyth Spartans are back at Croft Park when Worcester City are the visitors for a Blue Square North fixture, with a 3pm kick-off.
The following Saturday (September 18) they entertain Vauxhall Motors in the league, kick-off 3pm.
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Weather for Blyth
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
