Saturday 22nd December 2007

Blue Square North
Alfreton 1 Blyth Spartans 1
Att: 278

BLYTH Spartans were full value for a share of the points against in-form Alfreton Town when they drew 1-1 in Blue Square North.

There was a late scare, though, for Harry Dunn’s side and only another penalty save by Adam Bartlett prevented Spartans losing for the 11th time in 18 games.

With the game seemingly petering out into a draw, Blyth defender Kenny Boyle was sent off as referee Akers pointed to the spot. Bartlett, however, went down to his right to superbly save from Danny Reet. It would have been an injustice had Spartans not returned with a point. Heavy rain and a swirling wind made conditions difficult and in the early stages Bartlett was the busiest goalkeeper. Kris Bowler looked like breaking the deadlock but Bartlett came to the rescue before Blyth went ahead on 29 minutes.

A corner floated in by Adrian Webster was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area where Andrew Johnson produced a clinical finish wide of Alfreton keeper Phil Senior.

Within two minutes, Alfreton were level as Reet got on to the end of a centre from Stephen Warne and was left with a simple tap-in at the far post.

Spartans had the slope to their advantage in the second period and Johnson brought a super save from Senior. With 10 minutes remaining, a Boyle free kick was headed goalwards by Peter Snowdon but although his header beat the goalkeeper, it rebounded from the upright.

The final goalmouth action, though, came at the other end where Bartlett commanding throughout, earned his side a point with his injury-time penalty save.

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