Blyth Spartans earn first away point

Posted by The Journal on Nov 17, 08 01:47 PM in Sport

Blyth Spartans stay in the bottom three of Blue Square North but will be encouraged after gaining their first away point of the season at Gainsborough Trinity.

Shaun Reay, a two-goal hero in the morale-boosting victory over Shrewsbury in the FA Cup, spotted an opening as early as the third minute when set up by Andrew Wright. But his first-time effort flew past goalkeeper Adam Sollitt and the goal.

Chris Hall delivered a good free kick from deep which was picked up by Simon Bird but fortunately for Spartans, he volleyed over the crossbar.

Both sides had appeals for a penalty waved away, Blyth's when Neil Stafford appeared to handle a goal-bound effort by Reay.

Richard Pell promoted several Spartans' raids but goalscoring opportunities were at a premium for both teams. Blyth almost broke the deadlock after Pell and Robbie Dale combined but Jason Bradley's header was well saved down to his right by Sollitt.

Late in the game Bird went close for Gainsborough and deep into injury time only a superb save by Sollitt denied the visitors.

Dale delivered a good corner which Sollitt just managed to tip over the crossbar for a corner. Trinity then managed to clear despite being under considerable pressure.

GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY: Sollitt, Greenwood, Drury, Stafford, Lukic, Anson (Davies), Austin, McMahon (Smith), Bird, Marrason (Newsham), Hall.

BLYTH SPARTANS: Bell, Boyle, Wright (Dalton), Williams, Leeson, Pell, Watson, Poole, Dale, Reay, Bradley.

Referee: I Dudley . Attendance: 347.

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