Saturday 19th April 2008
Blue Square North
Boston United 3 Blyth Spartans 2
Att: 1118

Spartans travelled to Lincolnshire to take on the former Football League side Boston United on Saturday.

Spartans fell behind after only 3 minutes. When Paul Ellender cracked home a fantastic drive from 20 yards, which wrong-footed Adam Bartlett, following Jon Froggatt’s neat assist.

Blyth threatened when Robert Dale manoeuvred into space on the edge of the area, but drilled over following Steve Birks’ assist.

Spartans wasted a glorious opportunity to equalise when Dale got into space behind Matt Bloomer and laid the ball back for Andy Johnson, but with the net at his mercy, he blazed over from 10 yards.

Blyth had a penalty shout waved away when Adrian Webster tumbled under Liam Green’s challenge, but referee Benton was unmoved.

Boston had a goal disallowed in the 41st minute when Nuttell’s header was ruled out for pushing, following Talbot’s excellent right-wing cross.

Froggatt whipped over an excellent cross on the stroke of half-time and Gary Brown had to be alert to deny Nuttell with a fabulous goal-saving block.

Spartans opened the second half with renewed purpose and Wright made a terrific double save in the 48th minute, denying Webster from 20 yards, before bravely saving at the feet of Peter Snowdon on the follow-up.

Johnson almost drew Blyth level in the 64th minute, but Bloomer flew in to deflect the shot from 12 yards and Wright tipped the ball onto the crossbar.

The home side increased their lead in the 68th minute when Nicholls’ corner was only partially cleared and Talbot drilled home a fabulous drive from 25 yards, to give Bartlett no chance as he peered through a rook of bodies.

The Pilgrims added their third with 12 minutes remaining, when Rowan coolly lobbed Bartlett from 10 yards, following Nicholls’ great assist.

However, Blyth cut the deficit within a minute, in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Houlahan drilled goalwards from 18 yards and although Wright had the shot covered, Bloomer deflected the ball to wrong-foot his keeper.

Houlahan pulled another goal back in the 83rd minute when he curled home a fantastic effort into the top corner from 20 yards.

Blyth went on the rampage to find an equaliser and substitute Chris McCabe drilled just wide from 20 yards, following a forceful run, but United held on.

Spartans: - Adam Bartlett; Peter Snowdon, Ben Christiansen, Gary Brown; Michael Hedley, Steve Birks (Chris McCabe 73), Adrian Webster, Martin Houlahan, Kenny Boyle; Robert Dale (Gareth Williams 86), Andrew Johnson (Ged Dalton 67).
Subs (not used): Andrew Leeson, Graham Fenton.