Blyth Spartans 1 Stalybridge 3

Nov 27 2011 Sunday Sun

TWO goals in as many minutes early in the second half added to the woes of Blyth Spartans before a crowd of 324 at Croft Lane.

Steve Cuggy’s side made the worst possible start, conceding a goal after just six minutes, although Celtic enjoyed an element of luck.

Goalkeeper David Knight parried a Phil Marsh effort and Steve Brogan’s follow-up shot was also palmed away, but unfortunately for Spartans it again fell to Brogan and this time he made no mistake.

Almost immediately, Blyth nearly levelled as Graeme Armstrong’s curling shot clipped the outside of the post.

Spartans, though, were back in the tie after just 10 minutes. Jamie Mole made a surging run down the left and centred to Armstrong, who tapped in from close-range.

For much of the first half, few chances were created, but the game sprang to life just before the interval.

Knight produced a great save to deny Greg Wilkinson and at the other end, a corner from Neal Hooks found Armstrong but he was unable to keep his header down.

Knight again kept Spartans in the game, saving when one-on-one with Conner Jennings, and right on half time the keeper blocked another goal-bound effort from Jennings.

At this stage, Blyth were in with a chance but they then conceded two goals in a minute. Good link-up play ended with Arthur Gnehoua playing in Jennings and he produced a clinical finish from 14 yards.

Almost immediately Stalybridge went two goals in front. Phil Marsh produced a good cross and Jennings had a simple tap-in at the back post for his second goal in a couple of minutes.

It could have been 4-1 on 71 minutes as substitute Craig Hobson rattled the upright and after Phil Cave fired wide from 25 yards, Knight was again tested by Brogan.

The goalkeeper then parried a shot from Jennings who had another chance to complete his hat-trick but once again he was denied by Knight.

Celtic goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray saved from Mole and in the last minute, Mole was again close to claiming a second goal but the keeper comfortably saved his volley.

BLYTH SPARTANS: Knight, Purvis (Slaughter), Cave, Groves, Buchanan, Pearson, Emms (Briggs), Hooks, Armstrong, Mole, Phillips (Taylor). Man of the Match: Armstrong.

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC: MacGillivray, Bembo-Leta, McWilliams, Meynell, Lynch, Rea (Warburton), Brogan, Wilkinson, Marsh, Ghanoua (Hobson), Jennings (Austin). Man of the Match: Jennings.

REF: Mr England.

ATT: 324.