Blyth Spartans 2 Colwyn Bay 2

Nov 6 2011 Sunday Sun

BLYTH Spartans were denied victory when Colwyn Bay snatched a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser before a crowd of 451 at Croft Park.

The home side, with loanee Greg Pearson from Huddersfield Town making his debut, made a perfect start even though they were assisted by their opponents.

A free-kick by Neal Hooks bounced off the knee of defender Mike Lea and his goalkeeper Chris Sanna was left stranded.

Lee Mason went close to doubling the lead and at the other end Damien Allen fired over the crossbar following an excellent move.

Blyth were taking the game to their opponents and in one raid Graeme Armstrong and Chris Emms combined but the visitors’ defence was equal.

Lee Mason found Wayne Phillips but the Blyth man was unable to connect with any force and Sanna was not unduly troubled.

Graeme Armstrong created a chance out of nothing and went past his marker but Sanna came to the visitors’ rescue while Jamie Mole hit the side-netting.

Although they had created half chances, it looked as if Blyth’s one goal would be sufficient to give them a half-time lead but five minutes before the break parity was restored.

It was a fortunate goal for the Bay. Gareth Evans miss-kicked and the ball fell kindly to Carl Noon who finished past David Knight from close range.

Mason blasted over from seven yards early in the second half before Blyth regained the advantage in the 61st minute.

A great ball from Chris Emms was picked up by Mole and he delivered a fierce shot into the bottom of the net from 20 yards.

Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick should have equalised but headed wide and only a point-blank save by Knight from Lee McEvilly kept Spartans in front.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, player manager Jon Newby came off the bench and he claimed the equaliser two minutes into stoppage time.

Spartans failed to clear and paid the penalty as Newby scrambled the ball home from close range.

BLYTH SPARTANS: Knight, Slaughter, Cave, Phillips, Groves, Pearson, Mason, Hooks, Mole, Armstrong, Emms. Not Used: Offiong, Forster, Taylor, Robinson, Crook.

Goals: Lea 7 og, Mole 61.

COLWYN BAY: Sanna, Dennison, Lea, Meadowcroft, McDonald, Hughes, Evans, Allen, Lee McEvilly, Noon, Lloyd-McGoldrick. Not Used: Hopley, Davey, Benson, Rouse, Newby.

Goals: Noon 40, Newby 90.

Attendance: 451 Referee: M Turner.