Saturday 8th March 2008
Blue Square North
Redditch United 1 Blyth Spartans 0

Spartans were on their travels again with a long trip away to the Midlands to face Redditch in this Blue Square North Fixture.

Manager Harry Dunn gave his first full start to Steve Birks in for the suspended Adrian Webster. He could only muster 3 subs with Martin Houlahan (flu), Tony Stephenson and Robert Dale (knee) all missing.

In a rather physical game, Spartans physio Gary Neasham was called upon 4 times in the opening 10 minutes to treat Blyth players. The last resulting in Phil Bell being helped from the field after picking up a double injury to his knee and ankle.

The home side after there scanigons at Southport the week before had 5 players cautioned to Spartans 2 – Brown and Gildea.

Gildea’s first touch after replacing Bell saw the visitors call for a penalty after he was up rooted in the home area but referee Bennett awarded a corner instead. Andrew Johnson floated the ball into the six yard box for Gary Brown to head over.

The closest the Spartans came to scoring fell to Chris McCabe, with a crisp effort which bounced on the top of the goal netting.

The poor game was decided on 57 minutes. In decision in the Spartans defence allowed Scott Rickards the opportunity to find Chris Murphy who volleyed home from 10 yards.

After this Spartans seemed to loose their way – resorting to the high long ball up to in stand forward Michael Hedley who was finding it difficult against the towering Exodus Geohaghon and Liam Murray at the back for Redditch.

At the end a game to quickly forget and look forward to the upcoming 6 pointers against Hucknall and Hinckley instead on the journey home.

Spartans: - 1 Adam Bartlett, 2 Ben Christensen, 3 Andrew Leeson, 4 Peter Snowdon), 5 Gareth Williams, 6 Gary Brown, 7 Michael Hedley, 8 Chris McCabe, 9 Philip Bell (sub Alex Gildea), 10 Andrew Johnson, 11 Steve Birks.
Subs not used: - Graham Fenton & Kenny Boyle