Pinpoint Under 11’s League

Cramlington Cobras 3 Blyth Spartans 1

A strange match to end the season. In the run up there was a chance that this could have been a relegation play off but results dictated that by the time the game was played The Cobras were already relegated and Spartans were safe. Predictably the Cramlington players seemed to play in a more carefree way than their Blyth counterparts and got the result that they deserved and did well to finish what has been a difficult season on a high note.

During the first half the game seemed bogged down in midfield with very little in the way of chances for either side. Blyth’s Sam Johnson broke through on goal and was unlucky to see his snap shot fly just wide of the left hand upright and moments later Liam Tweddle rattled the Cobras crossbar with the keeper beaten but they were the only real chances of the first period.

Cramlington broke the deadlock early in the second half with a skillful chip over the head of Reece Dobie in the Spartans net but Blyth bounced straight back thanks to a spectacularly well taken goal. Daniel Burge, running onto a well hit pass from Robbie Potter took control of the ball before slamming it from fully twenty five yards out into the top of the Cramlington net. The Cobras refused to lie down and came back strongly and although each of the two goals that they scored towards the end of the second period had a touch of good fortune attached to them they were ultimately good value for their three points.

A fairly poor performance by Blyth’s recent standards but this game should be viewed within the context of a string of convincing victories which saw the Spartans pull away from the relegation zone to a place of safety before this match even kicked off. If this team performs next season like they did in the first and last parts of this one then they have nothing to fear in the coming campaign.

Pinpoint Leaugue
Sun 4th May

Blyth Spartans under 11’s 4 Bedlington under 11’s 2

Bedlington narrowly beat this Spartans side earlier in the season and given the fact that the teams now occupy places at opposite ends of the table could have been forgiven for thinking that they were favourites to take the three points. Spartans were busy from the start and Sam Johnson was through on goal only to be thwarted by a fine save from Calum Dobson in the Bedlington goal. The Terriers took the lead on fifteen minutes when Macauley Burt struck a very well hit shot from twelve yards out high into the Blyth net. The visitors applied strong pressure and would have gone two goals up soon after had it not been for an acrobatic stop by Spartans keeper Reece Dobie. A blistering drive from the edge of the box seemed destined for the top left corner of the Blyth goal but Dobie flung himself high to his right and somehow managed to claw the ball out of the air and around the post.

Blyth levelled the score in the twentysecond minute with a fantastic long range strike from the right hand side of the penalty area from winger Brandon Nadeem. The fiercely struck ball flew over a despairing Dobson’s outstretched arm before dipping just under the crossbar to put Spartans right back in the game.

The home team continued to press and were rewarded for their efforts when Ayrton Browning threaded a well weighted ball between two defenders for Johnson to run onto. The Blyth player took control of the ball and calmly drew the keeper before passing it into the bottom of the visitors net.

Bedlington came back strongly and the scores were levelled again just before half time when Kieran Park did well to put the ball past in form Dobie with a strongly struck effort from the edge of the box.

In the early part of the second period Spartans restored their lead thanks to a skilful solo goal from Daniel Burge who picked up a loose ball just inside the Bedlington half and deftly beat two defenders before calmly rifling a shot past the visitors keeper. The home team wrapped up the points a few minutes later when Nadeem laid on a slide rule pass for Spartans man of the match Sam Johnson to score his second of the game. Blyth nearly added a fifth when Daniel Carr was unlucky to see an unstoppable long range effort bounce off the underside of the Bedlington bar and back into play.

Spartans victory was not just about the goal scorers. Bedlington are a very well organised side and in no 10 Chris Erswell they have a skilful player capable of changing games. Blyth right sised player Liam Tweddle ran himself into the ground and can perhaps count himself unlucky not to have not caught the referees eye. In the dying minutes both James Golding and Jack Harding headed goalbound shots off the line to deny the visitors a way back into the game. All of the squad were used during this game and not one of them was found wanting. Every member of the Spartans team contributed to the gaining of what, come the end of the season could turn out to be three very important points. This victory means that Spartans have taken ten points out of the last twelve to give themselves a real fighting chance of remaining in this division next season.

March 30th 2008
Pinpoint League
Blyth Spartans under 11’s 7 Whitley Bay Blues 0

A clean sheet for Spartans defence and some fine performances from Jordan Yeomans, Jack Harding and Matthew Fretwell who, along with goalkeeper Reece Dobie snuffed out the threat of the Whitley Bay front players and provided a solid foundation for Spartans attacking threat. Blyth took the lead after ten minutes following some good work from Liam Tweddle who laid the ball on for Man of the Match Sam Johnson to score from long range. The same player claimed his second goal five minutes later when he picked up the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area and drew the keeper before sliding the ball into the bottom of the net. Spartans went into the interval three goals ahead thanks to a rare headed goal for Daniel Burge who confidently converted birthday boy Brandon Nadeem’s well hit cross from the right wing.

Blyth started the second half in the way that they ended the first with Daniel Burge sending in a well flighted cross for another headed goal converted by James Golding who had timed his late run into the box to perfection. Nadeem wrapped up his birthday celebrations in style by firing home a fine free kick from well outside the box. Striker Jake Whisson added to Blyth’s total in the dying minutes when he produced a typical predators strike following a well hit shot from Charlie Turney that the Whitley keeper just managed to keep out. A final goal against them as the result of a goalmouth scramble was cruel luck on a Whitley Bay side who never gave up and who played the game in the right spirit.

This result, along with the revitalised Newcastle’s comprehensive demolition of Tottenham Hotspur and Boro’s defeat at the hands of Chelsea means that two of the regions “big three” sides claimed maximum points. Lower down it was a mixed day for the sides in with a chance of Championship football next season with Carlisle only managing to scrape a draw but Sunderland putting together back to back wins for the first time since the German Army wore pointy helmets.

Pinpoint Under 11’s League

Sun March 16th 2008

Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 1 Whitley Bay Coast Soccer 5

It’s a football cliché but this one was a game of two halfs. Coast took the lead with a low shot from the edge of the box but Blyth were soon back in it thanks to a fine finish from Alex Youll. Following some determined work from Spartans Captain Charlie Turney who picked up a loose ball and powered into the Coast penalty area the ball was laid skilfully off for Youll to confidently strike it high into the visitors net. The score remained one all for most of the first half but Whitley Bay took control of the game with a goal that came as the result of a goalmouth scramble just before the interval. As the sides began to tire into the second half gaps began to appear between the Spartans midfield and defence and Coast were able to exploit the situation with a number of well taken goals and although the scoreline was perhaps a touch flattering to them the well organised visitors were good value for the win. Jack Harding and James Golding produced their usual hard running performances full of commitment and desire for The Spartans but in the end they were unable to turn effort into goals. Another defeat for Spartans but on the positive side for the second match in succession they competed well and dominated for long periods. The challenge for the remainder of the season is to make all of the play like the best of it.

Pinpoint League

Blyth Spartans under 11’s vs 2 Prudhoe under 11’s 5

A new stadium and a new start.
Against the wind Spartans dug in and battled well. Prudhoe were on the offensive but Blyth’s back line coped well with the pressure. Man of the Match Reece Dobie pulled off a string of fine saves and when his goal did look in danger Charlie Turney and Matthew Fretwell weighed in with some important last ditch challenges and clearances. The traffic was not all one way and Blyth’s Liam Tweddle, James Golding,
Daniel Burge and Brandon Nadeem were all unlucky in front of goal on at least one occasion. Even though the wind was against them Blyth matched their opponents in every department and both teams left the field at half time to a well deserved round of applause from the spectators. In the second period Blyth took the lead with a classic example of route one football. Dobie produced a ball with great distance on it which bounced over the Prudhoe midfield and into the path of Daniel Burge who shrugged off a challenge before applying a confident finish which gave the keeper no chance. The visitors responded with a series of passes and a well worked goal through the middle of the Blyth defence and within minutes took the lead thanks to a fantastic shot from the right hand side of the Spartans penalty area which flew into the roof of Dobie’s net. Things went from bad to worse from a Blyth point of view when the lead was extended to threegoals to one with another high quality strike from the Prudhoe front line. Sam Johnson got Spartans back into the game following a determined run with a confident and well taken right footed shot. At this stage it looked as though there might be something in this game for the Spartans but although they battled hard resistance was killed off with a further two well taken goals from Prudhoe towards the end of the match.

The new stadium is at what used to be Blyth Grammar School and I recall coming here when the world was in black and white for swimming tuition. The lessons seemed to consist of being marinated in a vat of other people’s urine whilst being simultaneously supplied with a range of interestingly shaped verrucas. With the intervening years it occurs to me that whilst the nature of my experience of the place has changed the quality of that experience seems to have remained consistent. The only differences are now that it feels as if the urine is being extracted rather than added and the pain has moved about three feet upwards from my foot. Are there Gods of Football that everybody else prays to that no one has told us about? Every week we play well. The outfits that we play against generally know that they have been in a game and apart from the by now traditional period of the game when the team switches off we look to have a set of players who can do more than compete at this level. When will it end?

Pinpoint Under 11’s League

17th Feb 2008

Whitley Bay Coast Soccer 3 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0

Spartans came out of the blocks well and were unlucky when Daniel Burge produced a well flighted free kick that split the coast defence and found the feet of Sam Johnson who was unfortunate to see his fierce drive go just wide of the right hand upright. Coast responded strongly and Blyth were grateful to Ayrton Browning who weighed in with a very important block to deny the home side a goal. Both goalkeepers were busy during the first half of this match. The coast keeper made a string of saves and interceptions to deny the Blyth front line and Spartans stopper Reece Dobie produced a fine block and perhaps deserved the luck that came his way when the advancing striker put the rebound over the bar when it looked easier to score. Boths defences played determined football and even though the game was entertaining it was perhaps no surprise when the first half ended without either side breaking the deadlock. The second half started well for Blyth with Liam Tweddle unlucky to produce a strong solo run down the left that came to nothing thanks to some determined defending. Coast broke the deadlock when a cross came over from the left and found it’s way to an unmarked forward who carefully placed the ball into the centre of the goal. Blyth rallied and on another day could have expected a return from a couple of chances which fell to Burge and Robbie Potter but both produced final shots which went agonisingly close to the uprights. The second goal in a game of football is the important one. Either the teams return to equal footing or a gap opens up leaving one side potentially demoralised and chasing the game. In recent games that side has been Spartans and today was no exception. Coasts second goal was the result of a skilful solo run that left the Spartans defence with no chance. As good as the second strikel was the third and final goal was perhaps a bit lucky. A strongly hit shot from the home team forward looked to be goalbound when Dobie dived to produce a fine save only to see his block rebound from another player and into his net. I’m tired of writing (and you’re probably tired of reading?) match reports which say something like “Spartans played well but following a breakthrough goal from the opposition seemed to lose their way a bit” but it seems to be the story of the season so far. Being a Newcastle fan I’m well used to mid table mediocrity and would hope that Spartans could put a bit of a run together to get me back into my “comfort zone”. At a level where you can’t rely a porky billionaire to turn up to buy Ronaldo, Gerrard, Rooney and Adebayor during the close season (it’s going to happen I tell you!) we’ll just have to hope that the chaps rediscover their early season form.

Almost as hard to bear as the defeat was the smell of Yorkshire puddings drifting from the kitchens of the Foxhunters pub. On a site that does not have a shop where you can buy bacon sandwiches surely this kind of activity constitutes a violation of our human rights? There should be a law against it and if there’s not then Ronnie Campbell must be informed forthwith! Whilst on the subject of Yorkshire puddings honourable mention should be made of our own resident Yorkshire Puddings (Leeds United) fan and human dynamo Paul who walked to Whitley Bay from Blyth before this match but who still had the energy to run the line and occasionally hoist a flag above his head. I bet he’s still asleep.

Pinpoint League

Newcastle East End Under 11’s 4 Blyth Spartans under 11’s 1 East End were able to avenge their previous defeat at the hands of Spartans with a battling performance that showed just how much the side has improved this season

The steams were committed from the start and the early stages saw both goalkeepers called into action. Blyth’s man of the match Reece Dobie pulled off a breathtaking save by flinging himself to his left to tip a fierce goalbound shot over the bar. Unfortunately the next time he touched the ball it was to pick it out of the net as East End’s Luke Walker skilfully converted a half chance to put the Newcastle side one nil up. Spartans came back determinedly and following some well worked interplay between Charlie Turney and Sam Johnson the ball fell to Ayrton Browning who produced a tremendous long range effort that rattled the East end crossbar.

Blyth were unlucky again moments later when Johnson slipped the ball to Alex Youll who was unlucky to see his effort go narrowly over the bar. East End came back into the game and Blyth defender Jack Harding proved his worth by keeping his side in the game with a spectacular headed clearance from his own goal line.

The home team’s pressure paid off shortly later when Walker scored again. The ball was fed down the right wing and crossed at pace leaving the well positioned striker to calmly slot home. Spartans did not give up and within minutes fought their way back into the game with a well deserved goal when Youll fed a well struck cross from the right for Johnson to smartly fire home from six yards.

Everything to play for in the second half but it was the city team that took the points thanks to two more well worked goals. Turner Carr eased the pressure on East End with a fiercely stuck drive that buried itself in the bottom of the Blyth net and Ryan Storey weighed in with a well taken goal later in the game to make the victory look a little bit more comfortable than it actually was.

A good game and a hard earned three points for East End and a familiar routine for Spartans of producing a battling performance early on before being overrun in the later stages of a game.

In the film Groundhog Day the character played by Bill Murray has to live through the same day over and over again until he realises the error of his ways and finally gets it right. In truth it wasn’t a very good film but at least my feet weren’t cold when I watched it.

Pinpoint League

Blyth Spartans under 11’s vs Prudhoe under 11’s

A fine performance in terms of commitment and effort but for the second week in a row Spartans switched off for a ten minute period to allow their opponents to run up a few goals. Last weeks game saw Kingston Park score five goals in the last ten minutes of what had until then been a closely fought contest. This week it was Prudhoe’s turn to benefit from Blyth’s generosity. The difference between this week and last was that rather than concede at the end of the match Spartans contrived to give their opponents a two goal advantage at the start. This was supposed to be a home fixture but because we are currently “between stadiums” the game was played in (and on one of) the hills surrounding Prudhoe.

The match kicked off with Blyth playing against the wind but with the slope and Prudhoe wasted no time in taking a two goal lead. The first was a well taken strike from a break through the middle and the second saw the ball bundled into the net at the end of an untidy goalmouth scramble. It looked as though there was a rout on the cards and it is to Blyth’s credit that they rolled up their sleeves and fought their way back into the game. Following some hard work Sam Johnson was unlucky to find himself through on goal only to see the Prudhoe keeper make a fine save and Dan Burge had a long range effort from the left fly just wide of the Prudhoe goal. Man of the Match Burge came even closer moments later when another shot from distance bounced off the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly along the line before being hacked clear. Spartans hard work was eventually rewarded when Burge fired a fierce ball into the area for Johnson to pounce and place the ball past the keeper and into the net. Spartans kept up the pressure and would have been good value for an equaliser but the home team scored the goal that turned the game with just about the last kick of the first half. A fierce shot from the edge of the area that Blyth keeper Reece Dobie did well to get a hand to ended up in the back of the net and even though they were playing downhill in the second half Blyth had a mountain to climb (sorry I couldn’t resist it).

The start of the second period saw the home side increase their goal tally to four but as I was buying a cup of tea at the time I have no idea if the goal was the result of a header, a volley or a rebound from the backside of one of the mountain goats that graze on the upper slopes of the Prudhoe pitch. I’m very sorry and it won’t happen again! In future I will send my wife to get the tea (I’m sure the bloke in a frock that morning said something about love honour and OBEY?……..anyway I’ll have my lawyers look into that one just as soon as I get some lawyers). Luckily I was at my post (with a cup of tea and a nice biscuit) when Dan Burge brought Spartans back into the game with a well taken terrific looping strike from outside the box. At four two down Blyth worked hard to get back into the game but despite keeping up the pressure on the home goal and with the hard working Burge again hitting the woodwork with just about the last kick of the game the fact was that by gifting two early goals to a very good Prudhoe team Spartans gave themselves too much to do. The Prudhoe team were skilful, hard working and well organised and they deserved the points but Spartans deserve credit for not letting their heads drop. With a little more concentration it should not belong before they get back to winning ways.

Pinpoint Under 11’s League

Sunday Jan 13th 2008

Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 2 Kingston Park Falcons 9

A glance at the scoreline would suggest that Kingston Park strolled through this game with little or no resistance from The Spartans but the reality was that they were made to work very hard for the points and in the early stages it was Blyth who made all of the running. Spartans came straight out of the blocks eager to avenge a four goal defeat by Kingston Park and The Falcons had to thank their in form keeper Shaun McDonald who dived acrobatically to save a blistering shot from Blyth’s Daniel Burge in the opening minute. Seconds later Burge tried his luck from the edge of the box only to be again denied by a diving McDonald. After riding their luck and soaking up some early pressure the Newcastle side started to string some passes together and had some promising moves broken up by Spartans defensive pairing of Charlie Turney and Matthew Fretwell, the latter staying cool under pressure to not only break up a dangerous Kingston Park attack but to distribute the ball to midfielder James Golding who then fed the ball to Sam Johnson down the left wing. Johnson cut iside and drew the keeper before unselfishly squaring the ball to Robbie Potter for an easy tap in to make it one Nil to the home team. Kingston Park were stung into action and applied strong pressure only to be denied by Brandon Nadeem who came up with a tremendous header on his own goal line which preserved Blyth’s advantage. The Spartans went two up when following some hard work Alex Youll sent over a cross from the right for Robbie Potter to fire home his second of the game. Blyth were looking to press home their advantage but were undone when Kingston Park clawed their way back into the game with a goal from a fine chip from the edge of the box. They drew level just before half time thanks to the best goal of the game which came as the result of a strongly struck shot from way outside the penalty area. The teams went in level at half time but it was Kingston park who had the better of the second period. They went ahead thanks to a low shot that flashed into the right hand corner of the Blyth net and almost scored again within moments to see a goal bound shot pushed onto the bar by the head of a determined Jordan Yoemans. Mc Donald was again called into action in the Park goal to deny Potter who tried his luck with a fiercely struck shot from distance. This was perhaps the turning point in the match as within minutes Kingston Park went another goal ahead to knock the stuffing out of the Blyth side. At four – two down Spartans seemed to lose heart and for the last ten minutes of this match the visitors seemed to score with every attack and it was an act of mercy when the referee blew his whistle. Earlier in the season Kingston Park beat Spartans by four goals to nil and to be fair the margin could have been much greater. In this match the margin was greater but Spartans were in control and in front for long periods before collapsing in the last ten minutes. Wilson got a well deserved hat trick for Kingston Park but the real inspiration for the Gosforth team was goalkeeper McDonald who performed heroics in the first half to allow the visitors to keep in touch It’s a funny old game!

Sunday 2nd December 2007 - Pinpoint Leaugue

Ashington AFC Under 11’s 1 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0

A second visit to the very impressive Ashington ground in three weeks (we’ll have to tidy up when they come to our place!) and yet again Blyth were frustrated to lose an evenly matched contest by a single goal. The fact that this one finished 1-0 whilst the first game was a 4-3 “thriller” was a tribute to the hard working attitude of both team’s defensive and midfield players. Blyth Keeper Reece Dobie and his opposite number in the Ashington goal Jake Phillips each pulled off a string of fine saves to make this a low scoring but still absorbing game.

For the most part the first half of this game saw each team working hard to cancel out the other and although there was no lack of commitment and skill on show neither goal was under serious threat for the opening quarter of an hour. After that both teams had half chances that they failed to convert but it is fair to say that the real action was in the middle of the park rather than at either end.

Ashington secured the points with the only goal of the game in the dying seconds of the first half. A goalmouth scramble in the Blyth penalty area resulted in a loose ball falling to Harry Bainbridge who kept calm and did well to fire a well placed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Spartans net. The second half began with Ashington seeking to increase their lead and they would have done so as the result of a long range thunderbolt without the contribution of Dobie in the Blyth goal. He flung himself high to the right and not only prevented the ball from going over the line buy he actually managed to hold onto it bringing a well deserved round of applause from both sets of supporters. Although Dobie did well in this match his efforts were matched by the defensive and midfield players in front of him. Jordan Yeomans, Jack Harding, Charlie Turney, Brandon Nadeem, Ayrton Browning, Alex You’ll and Matthew Fretwell all grafted hard to limit the Ashington forwards to half chances and speculative long range shots.

Spartans almost drew level when Liam Tweddle cleverly slipped the ball to Blyth's Man of the Match Sam Johnson who in turn sent a well weighted ball to James Golding. Golding steadied himself and produced a fierce goal bound shot only to be denied by a fine save from Ashington’s Phillips who dived low to his left to skilfully divert the ball out of harms way. Moments later following a well timed run into the Ashington box Blyth’s Daniel Carr was unlucky to see a header go just wide of the home goal. Like their opposition counterparts the Ashington defence were also effective and well organised and they worked hard to ensure that Spartans did not create too many clear cut chances. Spartan Dan Burge threatened the home goal with a couple of well struck long range efforts but both times Phillips was able to keep them out of the net. Even though they could see the points slipping away from them the Spartans didn’t give up on the game. They worked hard until the final whistle and it would have been no injustice had they taken at least a point from this game.

November 18th 2007
NAYPC Cup

Ashington AFC Under 11’s 4 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 3

From the kick off two evenly matched teams went at each other furiously. In the seventh minute Reece Dobie was called into action in the Blyth goal and kept the scores level by diving low to his right to turn a goal bound shot around the post. At the other end a long range piledriver from Blyth’s Sam Johnson was acrobatically saved by Ashington keeper Jordan Nichol who flung himself across the goal to prevent his side from going behind. It was Ashington who broke the deadlock on ten minutes when Jake Cadwallader skilfully drove home a low shot from the edge of the Blyth penalty area. They quickly added a second when Harry Bainbridge ran on to a high through ball to provide a confident finish leaving Dobie in the Blyth goal with no chance. Even at two down Spartans refused to let their heads drop. Robbie Potter was through on goal and looked odds on to score only to be denied by the bravery of Ashington keeper Nichol who dived at his feet to preserve the home team’s two goal cushion. Shortly before half time following some good work from Charlie Turney Potter played a neat through ball to Sam Johnson who was unfortunate to see a fierce right foot drive fly just over the bar. In the Blyth defence Ayrton Browning produced a tremendous clearance from his own goal line to deny the home team. Shortly afterwards there was a cruel blow for Spartans when just before the interval Ashington added a third goal when a well struck low shot from the right by Tate Phillips flashed through a crowd of players and found its way into the visitor’s net.

Blyth should have been dead and buried at this point but the half time team talk seemed to have inspired a never say die attitude and they came out with a renewed sense of purpose. The second half started with both team scoring from long range. Ashingtons Tate claimed Ashingtons last and his second of the game when he beat Dobie with a sweetly struck shot from outside of the box. Not to be outdone Blyth’s Dan Burge hit a thunderbolt from his own half which Nichol in the Ashington goal was unable to hold on to and the slippery ball somehow made its way over the line. Burge turned provider for Spartans second goal when he slipped a well weighted through ball from the left hand side of the penalty area to Sam Johnson who calmly buried the ball in the Ashington net. Blyth’s revival continued shortly afterwards when hard running striker Jake Whisson took control of the ball on the left wing. He advanced on goal and showed composure by waiting for the keeper to commit himself before driving the ball high into the Ashington goal. At four goals to three Spartans were right back in it and it was Ashington’s turn to soak up the pressure. The tremendous fightback by the visitors looked like it might come off in the latter stages of this game with everyone bar the goalkeeper camping out in the Ashington half Spartans Man of the match Brandon Nadeem ran himself into the ground making well timed tackles and interceptions in and around his own penalty area as well as popping up deep in the Ashington half to support his front players. Fellow defender Jordan Yeomans showed grit and determination breaking down attacks, harassing the Ashington forwards and providing a good supply to his own midfield. The Blyth team kept up their pressure right up until the final whistle but were unable to claw back the goal that would have taken this cup tie into extra time.

Some of the frozen supporters from both sides would maybe not have welcomed another twenty minutes standing in the wind and rain but in truth it would have been no more than Spartans deserved. A cracking cup tie and a spirited (if ultimately unsuccessful) fightback from the Spartans!

November 11th 2007
Pinpoint Leaugue

Bedlington Under 11’s 2 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 1

Bedlington came into this match at the top of the division and might have expected an easier game than they got from a Spartans side who went at them straight from the kick off. It was end to end stuff as Blyth’s man of the match Dan Burge fired in an early long range shot that flew narrowly wide of the Bedlington post. Shortly afterwards Spartans were under pressure and with goalkeeper Reece Dobie stranded it was only thanks to a timely clearance by quick thinking defender Brandon Nadeem that the game remained level. Blyth again took the initiative and having spotted the Bedlington keeper out of position Burge was unlucky to see a long range effort go just wide of the post. A couple of minutes later following some neat footwork Robbie Potter set up Sam Johnson who saw his strongly hit shot well saved by the home team’s keeper. The keeper also did well to deny Ayrton Browning who can count himself unlucky not to have made it onto the scoresheet with a well hit effort from outside the box. It was against the run of play when Bedlington took the lead in the first half. Following a well worked move from the home side Dobie did well to get his fingertips to a shot from the right side of the penalty area but was unable to get enough on it to prevent the ball from crossing the line. Blyth heads did not go down and they were rewarded soon after when Browning played a perfectly weighted ball to the in form Burge who made no mistake with a clinical and well hit finish. Spartans could have gone into the interval a goal to the good when Potter rode three tackles before forcing the Bedlington keeper into another fine save. Not to be outdone Dobie in the Spartans goal made sure that the score was level at the interval diving low to his right to turn a strongly hit goalbound shot around the post.

This match was played on rememberance sunday and following a minutes silence impeccably observed by both teams and their supporters Blyth started the second half strongly. Potter beat the advancing keeper with a clever chip only to see the ball trickle by the post. In the next attack following some good work from Daniel Carr and James Golding Johnson was within inches of connecting with a well hit cross from the right. Following this spell of Blyth pressure it was Bedlington’s turn to attack and Browning did well to decisively head away a dangerous ball. The home team did get the ball into the Spartans net only be denied by the linesman’s flag and at the other end a well struck through ball from Charlie Turney saw both Liam Tweddle and Jake Whisson bearing down on the Bedlington Keeper who was just able to get to the ball first and scramble it clear. Bedlington applied more pressure but Spartans defender Jack Harding was like a man possessed. He buzzed around the area between the edge of the box and the centre circle breaking down attacks and distributing the ball to his team mates. He has been impressive on a couple of occasions this season but this was maybe his best performance so far in a Spartans shirt? Alex Youll and Charlie Turney in the Blyth midfield built on this good work breaking down Bedlington attacks with a series of timely interceptions and intelligent passes. There was evidence here of a team who are starting to play to their potential as they get used to the step up to 11 a side.

Despite coming up against a Blyth side unrecognisable from the one that lost against Ellington it was Bedlington who the game deep into the second half when following a period of intense pressure they were able to get the better of a goalmouth scramble and steer the ball into the Spartans net. On balance they deserved their victory and they are good value for their league position however this performance from the Spartans was among the best of the season so far and they should take great encouragement from this game (if not the result) as they head into their next two away fixtures.

Divisional Cup
Sunday October 28th 2007

Blyth Spartans under 11’s 0 Ellington Eagles Under 11’s 9

It was a game of two halves and a day to forget for the under 11’s. Despite playing some determined football and coming agonisingly close to scoring themselves on a couple of occasions they went into the half time break three goals down. The second half saw Ellington push on to run up a scoreline that maybe flattered them a little as Blyth heads went down towards the end of the fixture resulting in a series of late goals from speculative shots. As the scoreline suggests the Eagles were the better team and looked particularly strong in defence breaking down the sort of attacking moves that Spartans have prospered from on other occasions in this campaign. This Spartans team can have no complaints on this occasion after finishing up on the wrong end of the kind of treatment that they themselves have made a habit of dishing out to other teams this season. There are lessons to be learned here but there was no disgrace to being well beaten by a better side on the day. The Blyth lads couldn’t win this match but the Spartans parents couldn’t even win the pre match raffle and the prize (a bottle of wine), like the right to be in the hat for the next round of this trophy disappeared up the Spine Road to Ellington.

Pinpoint League
Sunday October 21st 2007

Blyth Spartans under 11’s 3 Newcastle East End Under 11’s 3
Two commited and determined teams shared the points from this hard fought match in the Pinpoint under 11's league. Blyth took the lead in the second minute when a through ball from Daniel Burge allowed Spartans striker Robbie Potter to burst down the right wing and shrug off an East End defender before rounding the keeper to roll the ball into the empty net. East end came straight back and had goal scoring opportunities thwarted by commited last ditch defending from both James Golding and Brandon Nadeem who chased and harried the visitors attacking players. Reece Dobie again proved his worth to the Spartans when with an attacker bearing down on him he made himself big before throwing out an arm to skilfully block a goal bound shot. After six minutes Potter dispossessed a defender on the right to fire in a fierce long range shot only to see it bounce off the keepers left hand post and out of play. East End got a well deserved equaliser in the ninth minute when they were awarded a penalty following a handball. Jed Marshall struck a fierce shot that was bound for the top corner of the goal only to see the athletic Dobie get a hand to it and knock the ball back into play. First to react was East End’s Ryan Storey who followed up smartly with a well directed header over the outstretched hands of the despairing Blyth keeper. Following the equaliser the visitors took the game to Spartans. Blyth defender Brandon Nadeem raced across to the left from his place on the right to end a dangerous East End move with a determined block and moments later Dobie was called into action again when he forced a goal bound shot around his left hand post for a corner. Unable to capitalise on this pressure the East End team found themselves a goal behind when Spartan’s Sam Johnson took possession of the ball just outside of the visitors penalty area and lay it off skilfully to his left and into the path of busy midfielder Liam Tweddle who struck a spectacular well aimed long range drive into the roof of the net. A goal to remember. Spartans went 3-1 ahead moments later when in form striker Robbie Potter picked up the ball on the right wing and made a surging run past the East End back line before striking a strongly hit long range shot which sailed over the keeper and into the net.

Despite going into the interval two goals down East End refused to accept defeat and it was only thanks do effective and determined defending from stoppers Matthew Fretwell and Blyths Man Of The Match Jack Harding that they did not reduce the deficit during the early minutes of the second half.

The Newcastle team did pull a well deserved goal back midway through the second half when following a break down the right and a low cross the ball was fired in by the hard working Turner Carr.

With the realisation that there might be something in this game for them East End threw everything at Blyth and they were rewarded for their efforts with five minutes left on the clock as Ryan Storey bagged his second when he struck a fiercely hit shot into the Spartans net from the edge of the box. East end thought that they had all three points moments later when Declan Lindsay put the ball into the Spartans net only for the strike to be ruled offside.

This match had everything. Spectacular goals, penalties, last gasp blocks and shots hitting the woodwork. Three all was a fair result and it would have been a shame if either team had lost this one.

NAYCP CUP 1st Round

Blyth Spartans under 11’s 8 Longbenton under 11’s 0

Longbenton were unlucky to come up against a Spartans team keen to make up for last week’s league defeat. The match was evenly balanced for the first quarter of an hour until Blyth’s Daniel Burge played a brilliantly weighted through ball to set up man of the Match Robbie Potter with the first of his four goals. A few minutes later a clever defence splitting pass from Sam Johnson found the same player who calmly rifled home his second of the game. Longbenton came back strongly and it was only thanks to a last gasp block from Spartans Alex Youll and some determined defensive work by full back Matthew Fretwell that they were not able to claw their way back into this match. The visitors looked dangerous down the right flank and Blyth’s defence had to be at their best to prevent a revival. Fretwell harried the Longbenton wing men and provided a barrier that they could not break down. Longbentons hopes of a revival were dashed at the half hour mark when a Burge corner found it’s way to Potter on the back post who was able to bundle the ball into the back of the net at the second attempt. Burge was again the provider for Blyth’s fourth when he dispossessed a Longbenton defender before setting up a grateful Sam Johnson who put the ball into the top corner of the net with a spectacular right footed strike from the edge of the box. The next goal came as the result of another fierce strike from Johnson. The Longbenton keeper flung himself acrobatically to his left and pulled off the save of the match only to see Potter pick up the rebound and place it into a now unguarded goal for his fourth and Blyth’s fifth goal of the game

After being provider in the first half Daniel Burge started the second half by claiming the first of his two goals when he took advantage of a wayward clearance from the Longbenton goalkeeper to fire the ball straight back past him into the net. It is to the keepers credit that he did not allow his head to go down and made a series of fine saves. He did fantastically well to keep out a Brandon Nadeem thunderbolt but could do nothing about Daniel Burge’s second goal. Taking possession near the half way line Burge chipped in with a spectacular 25 yard effort which sailed over the keepers head before dipping into the back of the net to give Spartans a 7-0 lead. Blyth’s eighth and final goal came as the result of some impressive play from Daniel Carr who made a skilful and determined run down the right flank before unleashing a ferocious goal bound drive which the keeper was only able to divert into the path of Spartans hard running predatorJames Golding. Having run the almost the entire length of the pitch Golding took control of the ball before calmly and skilfully guiding it into the bottom corner of the visitors goal.

Although it is inevitable that the goal scorers get a lot of attention when a team wins convincingly it should be noted that this victory was built on the foundations of a fine defensive display. Full Back Jack Harding’s all action display in the first half and Jordan Yeomans ability to read the game from defence in the second period frustrated the Longbenton attack and gave the Spartans front line a solid platform from which to build. Spartans can look forward to the next round with some confidence.

7th October

Kingston Park Falcons 4 Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 0

A hat trick for Kingston Park’s Joe Wilson and a goal for Brian Tate were enough to see off the challenge of a Spartans side that went into this clash at the top of the table. It was an evenly fought match until midway through the first half when Tate fired home his first goal to give The Falcons the lead. Inspired by hard working captain Charlie Turney Blyth dug in well and can count themselves unlucky not to have chalked up an equaliser before half time but in the second half they were definitely second best to a confident and assured KP team determined to replace them at the top of the table. The game was killed off as a contest shortly after the interval when Wilson slotted home his second goal and following some impressive work from Liam Hogg, Brian Tate added a third to put the game beyond Spartans. Wilson chalked up another goal for his hat trick towards the end of the game and with the visitors on the ropes it was only an impressive display from Blyth’s Man Of The Match Reece Dobie between the sticks that prevented the gap between the teams from widening even further. Time and time again Dobie flung himself full length to protect his goal and after a couple of relatively easy victories during which he has been something of a spectator this display was a reminder of his importance to the Blyth squad. Deep into the second half following some good link up play down the left hard running Blyth midfielder Alex Youll had the ball in the back of the KP net only to be denied by the linesman’s flag, however even if the goal had been allowed to stand it would have come too late to spark a point saving revival. No lack of effort from the Spartans players but they were well beaten in the end by an in form and confident team.

Pinpoint League Game 30th September 2007

Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 11 Whitley Bay Blues 2

Even though Blyth ran out comfortable winners it was the Blues who took the lead thanks to an unstoppable long range shot. From then on however Spartans turned on the pressure and drew level thanks to a goal from Sam Johnson. Robbie Potter put Spartans ahead following a run from the half way line and a short time later the same player rounded the keeper to make the score 3-1. Potter completed his hat trick when the Whitley keeper failed to hold on to a fierce shot from the in form Sam Johnson leaving an easy tap in for the Spartans no 9.

After some re jigging of the line up Spartans started the second half in the same determined way they had finished the first and Referee’s Man of The Match Daniel Burge scored the first of his four goals with a brilliant effort from way outside the Whitley Bay box. Spartans scored again almost immediately following some impressive footwork from Jake Whisson who skilfully beat two defenders before sliding the ball to Sam Johnson who claimed his second of the game. A short while later Sam Johnson returned the favour when he unselfishly denied himself the chance of a hat trick and stroked the ball to Jake Whisson to rifle home Blyths seventh goal. Freed from his defensive role Brandon Nadeem showed his versatility by grabbing his tenth goal in a Spartans shirt when he beat the Bay keeper with an unstoppable shot from just inside the box. As was the case in last weeks victory Spartans showed that they have players operating in all areas of the pitch who can be relied upon to weigh in with goals when the opportunity arises. Whitley Bay rallied with another goal to make the score 8-2 but any thoughts of a revival were put aside thanks to further three second half goals from the prolific Daniel Burge.

Another good victory for the Spartans and it looks as if this team are beginning to click. Goals from five different players and the defence really playing as a unit give cause for optimism for the remainder of the season.

Blyth Spartans Under 11’s 6 Cramlington Cobras 1

Spartans continued their recent improvement in form with a convincing victory over Cramlington Cobras. The first blood went to the home team five minutes into the opening period when no 9 Robbie Potter ran on to a long ball, and after shrugging of a couple of defenders produced a well struck shot to beat the Cramlington keeper to notch up his fiftieth competitive goal in a Spartans shirt.

The Cobras worked hard to try to even up the score but fell another goal behind when referee’s man of the match Sam Johnson played a perfectly weighted pass from the left which allowed Robbie Potter to control the ball and to slam home his second of the game.

Divisional Cup Sunday 9th September

Blyth Spartans under 11’s 3 Guide Post under 11’s 1

Spartans came out of the blocks strongly and were a goal up within five minutes when hard working midfielder James Golding knocked a brilliantly weighted through ball to Robbie Potter who ran on and calmly slotted the ball into the Guide Post net. The same player then scored a second goal with a low shot from the left hand side of the box and for a while it looked as though Spartans were going to run away with the game. It was to Guide Post’s credit that they did not let their heads drop and were able to claw their way back into the game with a well worked goal just before the half time break.

For the third game in a row new signing Daniel Burge picked up the referee’s man of the match award with a strong contribution but there were a couple of other Spartans players who can maybe count themselves a little unlucky not to be recognised by the official. Ayrton Browning in particular put in another fine performance in his new defensive role and seemed determined to never let Guide Post settle on the ball. In the second half Jordan Yeomans showed his fine positional sense and weighed in with some well timed tackles and important clearances. Spartans soaked up the pressure well and with Guide Post obliged to chase the game were able to catch the opposition on the break when hard running Sam Johnson smashed a ball from Robbie Potter into the back of the home team’s net. Blyth are in the hat for the next round of the Divisional Cup and on the best of the form on show in this game they could well progress even further

Blyth Spartans under 11’s 1 Blyth Town under 11’s 4

If the result of Sunday’s game against Forest Hall flattered Spartan’s then it is equally the case that this game was for long periods far closer than the scoreline would suggest. Following a period of sustained pressure Spartans took the lead through Man of the Match Daniel Burge only to see Town draw level near the end of a fiercely competitive first half. Towards the end of the first period Spartan’s keeper Reece Dobie produced the save of the game when he threw himself low to his right to tip a goal bound deflection around his post. After the restart both teams were frantically trying for the breakthrough with commited and effective performances in midfield from Alex Youll and Jake Whisson (keen to do well against his former club). The early stages of the second half saw a period of hard fought action with both midfields cancelling one another out and at 1-1 the next goal was clearly going to determine the complection of the rest of the game. Despite Spartans industry it was Town who were able to add to their goal tally with a well worked team effort which left the home defence with no chance. At 2-1 down Spartans were forced to chase the game and as is so often the case were obliged to push up and leave gaps at the back. Towards the end of the second half Town were able to make the score look a little bit more comfortable than it perhaps was with a fine headed goal and then rubbed salt in the wounds thanks to a late strike against a by now weary Spartans defence. Blyth town ran out worthy winners on this occasion but for long periods of the match it could have gone either way.

Divisional Cup

Blyth Spartans under 11’s 10 Forest Hall under 11’s 2

The under 11's kick started their season with a very encouraging performance. Spartans went a goal up after ten minutes thanks to a well struck long range effort from newly installed captain Charlie Turney and although the eventual scoreline flattered them they were never really troubled by a Forest Hall outfit who had always provided tough opposition whenever the two teams met at seven a side level. New signing and Man Of The Match Daniel Burge made an impressive start to his Spartans career by scoring four goals and being involved in several others. Robbie Potter weighed in with a hat trick and also had a hand in a few of the other goals.The link up play that was a feature of this Spartans victory bodes well for the rest of the season as does the fact that the goal tally was achieved by players from all over the pitch. Sam Johnson scored after a fine run with a well struck shot which left the keeper with no chance and towards the end of the game new boy Jake Whisson marked his competitive debut with a true poachers goal following a goalmouth scramble. The victory though, wasn’t just about goals. Forest Hall’s attacking threat was snuffed out by a commited Spartans backline. Jack Harding, Brandon Nadeem, Matthew Fretwell and Ayrton Browning created a barrier that the Forest Hall players could seldom break down. A sound defensive display and ten goals from five different players would suggest that Spartans can look forward to rest of the season with some confidence.