Saturday 15th December 2007
FA Trophy 1st Round Proper
AFC Telford United 1 Blyth Spartans 2

Blyth travelled again to Shropshire to take on fellow Blue Square North outfit AFC Telford United in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Trophy. After the last encounter just 2 weeks previously the inspired Spartans came out on top this time – when even the hardened Telford fan would be wondering how they got off so likely.

Spartans with 3 strikers missing, Phil Bell (cup tied), Robert Dale (groin) and Scott Bell (flu); also missing was the suspended Chris McCabe. Brought in Andy Johnson, Martin Houlahan and Michael Hedley to play 3 upfront in this changed attacking line up from manager Harry Dunn.

Spartans took the lead on 19 minutes when Gareth Williams brought the ball out of his own half and silde an inch perfect pass to Andrew Johnson in the penalty area and he side-stepped a defender to create space before firing an excellent shot into the bottom right-hand corner past the diving Ryan Young.

Johnson had penalty claims waved away by referee Kavanagh after he attempted to round Young, and Telford's first meaningful effort on goal didn't arrive until the 29th minute when substitute Chris Cornes - on for the injured Richard Teesdale - struck a shot wide from distance. Cornes had another effort parried away by Adam Bartlett after a surging run on 32 minutes.

The home side were lucky to go in half time still in the game. Firstly, after telford had lost possession in midfield, Martin Houlahan was sent clear on goal and he shot into the side netting with most of the Blyth fans already celebrating a goal !! Then, on 42 minutes, Lee Vaughan was adjudged to have tripped Johnson in the box but Richard Forster's spot-kick was saved by Young diving to his left.

Telford equalised on 58 minutes, Simon Forsdick ran into the penalty area beating 3 defenders before firing past Bartlett.

But the home sides reprieve was only to last 2 minutes when the Spartans opened up the home defence again. Kenny Boyle sent Alex Gildea free down the left wing, before he found Houlahan, who played a neat 1 – 2 off Johnson to run on to shot past Young to restore his side's lead.

The home side were again fortunate as Spartans wasted two more excellent chances, Alex Gildea missing when clean through on 69 minutes and Michael Hedley heading wide from a corner when well-placed.

So it’s the Spartans who go into Mondays draw for the 2nd round and there are some tasty Conference National sides also in the hat!!

Spartans: - 1 Adam Bartlett, 2 Ben Christensen, 3 Kenny Boyle, 4 Andrew Leeson, 5 Richard Forster, 6 Gareth Williams, 7 Adrian Webster (sub Peter Snowdon), 8 Andy Johnson (sub Richard Logan), 9 Michael Hedley, 10 Martin Houlahan, 11 Alex Gildea.
Sub not used: - Graham Fenton