FA Trophy: Blyth Spartans 2 Stafford Rangers 0

Nov 22 2009 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

Chasing Doninger’s pass, he drove past goalkeeper Lee Evans and was already celebrating when physics were defied, the ball clipped the post, bounced back across goal and out for a goal-kick. Unfathomable.

What followed was less so, as after the break Blyth quickened the pace yet steadied their nerve, and composure added care to their passing.

Within seconds of the restart, Doninger sent Alexander clear, only for the striker to hit the side-netting, before the omnipresent Michael Tait fired over.

Stafford did rally, with Thorley volleying over, Jake Moult shooting straight at Jack Norton and Levi Reid dragging an effort across the face of goal.

However, these barely masked their wilting, while Spartans sprinted down the home straight.

On 65 minutes, Brayson served notice of what was to come as his deft chip was deflected behind.

Five minutes later, teed up by Alexander and Ian Graham, he sidestepped Bobby Wilson and shot left-footed past Evans.

Again, Rangers rallied vainly, Patrick Samba heading wide and Thorley driving a free-kick over.

Later still, Williams crashed his own dead ball from distance off the bar at the other end.

By then, though, Blyth were already home and hosed.

On 80 minutes, Reid took exception to a fabulous tackle by Tait, was booked for his remonstrations and – since he had already accrued a yellow card for an earlier foul – was sent off.

Five minutes later, Brayson latched on to Tait’s through-ball, cut in off the left flank and drilled a low, right-foot shot past Evans and into the far bottom corner of the net.

Blyth: Norton 7, Harrison 7, Williams 7, Bains 7, Craddock 7, Doninger 7, TAIT 8, Turnbull 7, Graham 7, Alexander 7, Brayson 8.

Stafford: Evans 6, Wooliscroft 6, Wilson 6, Johnson 6, Vauls 6 (Patrick 32, 6), THORLEY 7, Reid 5, Moult 6, A Francis 6, Kasiama 5 (E Francis 69, 6), Wellecomme 6 (Samba 72, 6).

Attendance: 442