Blyth Spartans 2 Kingston Park 1

Spartans regained their position at the top with this excellent home victory over leaders Kingston Park. The Blyth side put in a great all round team performance to take a 2 point lead at the top of Division 1.
Spartans started the game strongly putting the visitors under pressure from the beginning and they came close to taking the lead when Micheal Durrant hit the post. Spartans did take the lead midway through the half when Leame Robinson’s free kick was parried by the keeper and Micheal Durrant bundled the ball over the line. Kingston gradually clawed their way into the game and equalized when they scored direct from a corner just before the interval. However, Spartans took the initiative straight after half time when Micheal Dunworth played a great ball through to Rhy Richardson who finished superbly to give the Blyth side a 2 – 1 lead. After going behind, Kingston exerted quite a bit of pressure helped by a strengthening wind but Spartans defended brilliantly to keep the visitors at bay and take the points. Captain Micheal Dunworth was voted MOM for Spartans

NABC League Division 1

Blyth Spartans 1 Heaton Hawks 0

Spartans went ahead of Kingston Park at the top of the league after this hard fought victory against a battling Heaton side. Spartans had the better of the exchanges in the opening period of this match and created a number of chances to go ahead although Heaton always looked dangerous on the break. After the half time interval Spartans exerted a lot of pressure on the away side’s defence which resulted in them taking the lead midway through the half when Rhy Richardson scored with a bullet header following a Lewis Davison corner. This sparked Heaton into action and they battled their way back into the game creating several decent chances in the last 15 minutes but Spartans defended superbly to take the points in a well deserved victory. This was an excellent all round performance from the Blyth side who were solid in defence with the back four of Jack Taylor, Brad Taylor, Rhonan Green & Sam Dixon putting in strong displays but the outstanding player on the day was captain Michael Dunworth who was voted MOM for Spartans after a magnificent display in center midfield.

NABC League Division 1

Blyth Spartans 3 Whitley Bay F.C. 1

Spartans moved onto level points with Kingston Park at the top of Division 1after this fine victory over 3rd placed Whitley Bay. Following an evenly matched opening to the game it was Spartans who took the lead when Kieran Jackson was put through on goal by Sam Oliver and he finished well. Whitley Bay equalized soon after when they scored a tremendous goal with a direct free kick from 25 yards. The Blyth side gradually began to take control of the game and they got their reward when Sam Oliver broke down the left to fire a shot across goal which was parried by the Whitley keeper into the path of Micheal Durrant who finished from close range to give them a 2 – 1 lead at the interval. The second half saw Spartans begin to dominate the game playing some excellent football and this resulted in them putting the game beyond doubt when Ryan Mckee played the ball through to Sam Oliver who cut inside from the right past two defenders to fire a fine left foot shot into the top corner to make the final score 3 – 1. This was a great all round team performance by Spartans and they fully deserved this victory which took them to the top of the league. Sam Oliver was voted MOM for the Blyth side.

NACYP Cup Quarter Final

Blyth Spartans 4 Walbottle Wanderers 1

Spartans progressed through to the semi final following a difficult game against their 3rd Division opponents. Spartans dominated possession from the start but failed to convert any of the numerous chances they created in the opening period against a resilient Walbottle side. They paid the price for failing to score when Walbottle took the lead with a magnificent goal on the break midway through the half. However, Spartans continued to dominate and got their reward when Kyle Sutton equalized shortly before the interval. The second half followed the same pattern but Walbottle defended bravely against the onslaught and always looked dangerous on the breakaway with the assistance of a strong wind. As the game went on the visitors began to tire and Spartans pressure paid off when Micheal Durrant scored to make the score 2 - 1. This goal seemed to deflate Walbottle and Ryan Mckee scored a third for the Blyth side before Micheal Durrant notched his second to take Spartans into the semi final. Spartans made hard work of this game and at no point played the football they are capable of but credit to Walbottle for a great battling performance. Kyle Sutton was voted MOM for Spartans.

NABC League Division 1

Walker Central 2 Blyth Spartans 3

Spartans moved into 2nd place in the league following this hard fought away victory against relegation strugglers Walker Central. Spartans dominated the game from the start playing some excellent football on a very heavy pitch and after creating numerous chances went ahead from the penalty spot when Lewis Davison converted after Sam Oliver was brought down in the penalty area. Against the run of play, Walker equalized but Spartans continued to dominate and went ahead just before the interval when Kieran Jackson scored following a great run and cross from Leame Robinson. Walker took the initiative after half time and exerted some pressure on the Spartans defence before Sam Oliver scored to give the Blyth side a 3 – 1 lead. Spartans always looked dangerous and should have put the game beyond doubt on many occasions before Walker pulled one back after a defensive mix up following a free kick. Walker continued to battle but Spartans defended well to take the points. Overall, the scoreline did not reflect Spartans domination in this game, particularly in the first half, during which had they taken their chances they would have had an unassailable lead at the interval. Lewis Davison was voted MOM for Spartans.

NABC League Division 1

Blyth Spartans 2 Throckley Magpies 1

Spartans took all 3 points in this hard fought game at home to Throckley. In an evenly balanced first half Spartans should have taken the lead when Sam Oliver was released down the right and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper for Micheal Durrant to finish at the far post but the Blyth striker’s goal was wrongly ruled out when the linesman flagged for offside. The second period followed the same pattern as the first with neither side taking the initiative until Throckley were awarded a free kick on the right which was headed home to give them the lead. Spartans continued to battle and got their reward when Kieran Jackson finished at the far post after a Leame Robinson strike hit the post. The game looked to be heading for a draw when Spartans won a free kick 25 yards from goal. Leame Robinson stepped up and rifled a tremendous strike into the top corner to win the game for the Blyth side. Spartans battling qualities once again showed through and in the end just about deserved their victory. Leame Robinson was voted MOM for Spartans.

NABC League Division 1

Cramlington Reds 3 Blyth Spartans 0

Spartans never looked like taking any points from this game which was played in difficult conditions against a resolute Cramlington side. Spartans played with the advantage of a strong wind and sloping pitch in the first half but they struggled to create any clear cut chances with the game remaining goalless at the interval.
Spartans, who lost striker Sam Oliver & left winger Lewis Davison to injury during the first half conceded a goal soon after the interval following a defensive mix up. They soon found themselves two down when Cramlington scored with a great strike from 20 yards. Spartans continued to fight but were unfortunate to concede a third when captain Rhy Richardson headed through his own goal following a free kick. To their credit, the Blyth side continued to work and battle hard but their misery was compounded with further injuries to Leame Robinson & Rhy Richardson before the end of the game. The latter being a serious injury which will keep Richardson out for the rest of the season. Playing against the increasingly strong wind, Spartans, who were driven on by the outstanding Michael Dunworth did well to keep going and there was no further scoring for the rest of the game. Lewis Davison was voted MOM for Spartans.

NACYP Cup 3RD Round

Blyth Spartans 6 Montagu 4

Spartans progressed through to the ¼ final of the cup with an extra time victory over their 2nd Division opponents in a game played in very windy conditions. Spartans started brightly but went behind against the run of play when Montagu scored with a speculative shot which swirled in the wind and caught the Spartans keeper by surprise. The Blyth side countered this when Sam Oliver equalized with a neat finish from the edge of the box. A horrendous mix up between Spartans keeper Jac Coull and center half Jack Taylor saw Taylor head through his own goal to give Montagu a 2 – 1 lead before Sam Oliver notched his second to level the scores before half time. Spartans almost went ahead early in the 2nd half when Sam Oliver hit the bar with a volley but Montagu took the lead on the break due to some poor defending by the Blyth side. Montagu went further ahead with a scrappy goal when Spartans defence failed to clear a cross into the box. Spartans looked dead and buried with 10 minutes remaining but continued to battle and got their reward when Kieran Jackson pulled a goal back for the Blyth side. This goal seemed to turn the game and after a period of sustained pressure Spartans equalized when Kyle Sutton scored with minutes remaining. Spartans had gained the momentum and dominated in extra time with Kieran Jackson scoring after a great effort from Kyle Sutton hit the crossbar. Ryan Mckee had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside before Michael Durrant scored Spartans sixth goal to put the result beyond doubt. Spartans captain Rhy Richardson was voted their MOM. Overall, Spartans were not at their best and made hard work of this game but their battling qualities and never say die spirit saw them through to the next round.

NABC League Division 1

North Shields 0 Blyth Spartans 6

Spartans made a good start to 2008 with a comfortable victory over bottom of the table North Shields. The visitors took advantage early in the game with striker Sam Oliver scoring 2 goals in the opening 15 minutes. Spartans continued to dominate and after creating numerous chances doubled their lead to 4 – 0 at the interval with 2 goals added by Micheal Durrant. The Blyth side made 7 changes at half time to give the full squad a game and continued to pressurize the home side with Leame Robinson and Kieran Jackson adding to the scoring before the end of the game. Leame Robinson was voted Spartans MOM.

NABC League Cup – 3rd Round

Blyth Spartans 0 Cramlington Juniors 1

In a hard fought match played in difficult conditions Spartans lost out by a single goal which was scored eight minutes from time. Spartans put in a battling display in this game which was typified by the performances of Jack Taylor, Rhonan Green and the outstanding Micheal Dunworth who was voted MOM for the Blyth side.
NACYP Cup – 2nd Round

Ellington 0 Blyth Spartans 8

The result of this game was never in doubt as Spartans dominated from start to finish. The Blyth side scored three goals in the opening half through Kyle Sutton, Micheal Durrant and Leame Robinson despite some stubborn resistance from the home side. Spartans played some great football in the second half and increased their advantage when Lewis Davison added two goals in quick succession following the break. Spartans skipper Scott Ferguson added another with a strike from the edge of area before Kieran Jackson scored following a strong run from Sam Oliver. Sam Oliver, in his first game following a long term injury completed the scoring when he rounded the keeper to slot home just before the end. Lewis Davison was voted Spartans MOM.
NABC League Division 1

Heaton Hawks 1 Blyth Spartans 2

In a pulsating match Spartans secured the points after an outstanding 2nd half performance. In an evenly matched 1st half Heaton took an early lead before Lewis Davison equalized soon afterwards with a magnificent free kick from 25 yards. However, in the 2nd period Spartans took the initiative and played some excellent football to create a number of decent chances which culminated in Micheal Durrant hitting the crossbar and Ryan Mckee hitting the post from the rebound. Five minutes before the end Spartans got a well deserved winner when Micheal Durrant stormed through the home defence and squared the ball to Kyle Sutton who applied the finish. This was a great performance by Spartans to beat a team who were 2 – 0 victors over Cramlington in their previous league game. Scott Ferguson was voted MOM for Spartans.
NABC League Division 1

Blyth Spartans 8 North Shields 0

Spartans won this game comfortably against a North Shields outfit who were struggling to field a team before this game. The result of the game was never in doubt but Shields put up a very good fight in the first half against an onslaught from the Blyth side. Despite creating and missing many chances Spartans led by two Kieran Jackson goals at half time. Spartans used the opportunity to play their full squad and made seven changes at the interval. In the 2ND period the difference in class told and Spartans scored six more through Kieran Jackson, Kyle Sutton, Lewis Davison, Ryan Mckee, Billy Nesbitt and Rhy Richardson. Kieran Jackson who scored a hat-trick was voted MOM for Spartans.

NABC League Division 1

Blyth Spartans 4 Walker Central 1

Spartans secured their second league win of the season with a good performance played in difficult conditions on a very windy day. Playing with the wind behind Spartans quickly went into a two goal lead when Leame Robinson scored with two excellent strikes. The Blyth side continued to create good chances and took a three goal lead into the interval when Micheal Durrant scored. Walker felt they were still in with a chance as they had the advantage of the strong wind in the 2nd half but Spartans held firm and even increased their lead when new signing Kieran Jackson scored his first goal for the club. Walker scored a consolation goal direct from a free kick near the end of the game. Leame Robinson was voted MOM for Spartans.
NABC League Cup – 2nd Round

Blyth Spartans 7 Berwick Rangers 0

A good 2nd half performance from Spartans saw them progress into the 3rd round of the cup at the expense of the hard working 3rd Division side. Spartans led at the break with 2 goals from Leame Robinson but really turned the screw in the 2nd half with new signing Micheal Durrant scoring a hat trick. Furthur goals were added by the outstanding Micheal Dunworth who was also voted MOM and Lewis Davison.
NABC League Division 1

Kingston Park 2 Blyth Spartans 0

Spartans commanded the opening period of this game against a very strong Kingston Park side and were never in any trouble until they lost three players to injuries midway through the 1st half. Kingston took advantage of this and fought their way into the game scoring two goals in three minutes just before the interval. To their credit Spartans did not drop their heads after the break and battled excellently against a very good side in the 2nd half. Lewis Davison was voted Spartan’s MOM. Overall this was a decent performance from the Blyth side and showed the strength of the squad with the players coming on performing well under difficult circumstances.
NACYP Cup – 1st Round

Blyth Spartans 8 Burradon Juniors 2

A powerful display by Spartans saw them progress into the 2nd round of this competition. Spartans dominated from the start and led 5 – 0 at half time, however Burradon scored 2 goals in 5 minutes at the start of the 2nd period to threaten a fightback but the Blyth team fought back to score 3 more goals before the end of the game. Spartans goals were scored by Leame Robinson 3, Lewis Davison 2, Micheal Durrant, Ryan Mckee and Kyle Sutton. Scott Ferguson was voted MOM for the Blyth Side.

Tesco Cup – 2nd Round

Blyth Spartans 1 Heaton Hawks Kestrels 1

A depleted Spartans side with a number of key players missing struggled against a determined Heaton side. Spartans failed to take a number of chances in the first half and Heaton always looked dangerous on the break. Spartans took the lead through Lewis Davison early in the 2nd half but Heaton pulled back with a long range effort midway through the half to take the game into extra time.
Neither side could break the deadlock and the game went into a penalty shoot out. A dismal showing from the spot by Spartans saw Heaton win the game 2 – 1 on penalties. Jack Taylor was voted MOM for Spartans.
NABC League Division 1

Throckley Magpies 2 Blyth Spartans 3

After losing their first two league games Spartans secured their first points of the season with this away victory. Spartans started the game brightly and after creating a number of chances took the lead when Lewis Davison fired home from the edge of the penalty area, they then went further ahead when Rhonan Green scored with a great header following a Lewis Davison cross from the left. Spartans went three up when Rhonan Green scored his second with a neat finish after 25 minutes. Although the Blyth side were cruising at this stage, two defensive lapses cost them dearly when Throckley scored two goals against the run of play just before the interval to let them back into the game. There was no further scoring in the second half and Spartans won the game but it should have been much more comfortable than it turned out. Lewis Davison was voted MOM for Spartans following an excellent display.
Tesco Cup – 1st Round

Tynemouth United 0 Blyth Spartans 9

A massive difference in class saw Spartans progress into the next round against their 4th Division opponents. Spartans dominated from the start and despite missing numerous chances early on still managed to win comfortably. Spartans goals were scored by Ryan Mckee 3, Billy Nesbitt 2, Lewis Davison, Kyle Sutton, Leame Robinson and a brilliant individual effort from Micheal Dunworth. Billy Nesbitt was voted Spartans MOM.
NABC League Cup – 1st Round

Killingworth Snipers 0 Blyth Spartans 2

Spartans progressed into the 2nd round of the competition with a fairly comfortable win against their 3rd Division opponents even though they struggled to find their form in this game. Scott Ferguson scored in each half of this game to take Spartans through in what was a very disappointing performance by the Blyth side. Left winger Lewis Davison was voted MOM for Spartans.

NABC League Division 1

Whitley Bay F.C. 4 Blyth Spartans 1

Spartans threw this game away when they conceded three goals in the first 15 minutes despite being on the offensive for most of that period. It was a disastrous start from which they never really recovered and although they endeavored to get back into the game they never really looked like breaking down a resolute Whitley Bay defence. Leame Robinson scored the Blyth side’s only goal early in the second half. Micheal Dunworth was Spartan’s MOM. Although the scoreline flattered Whitley, the least said the better about Spartans performance in this game against a team they could and should have beaten.
NABC League Division 1

Blyth Spartans 1 Cramlington Juniors 3

Spartans started their league season with a difficult game at home to Cramlington Juniors. Cramlington were on the offensive from the start but Spartans defence coped without any real problems in the opening period. However, shortly before the break Cramlington won a free kick 35 yards out and took the lead when the shot was misjudged by Spartans keeper. Spartans took the game to the visitors immediately after half time and equalized when Scott Ferguson scored after a period of sustained pressure from the home side. Spartans continued to pressurise but were caught napping when Cramlington broke away down the left and the resultant cross was headed home. This seemed to demoralize the home side and they conceded a third goal near the end of the game. Lewis Davison was voted Spartans MOM.
NEYD Divisional Cup – 2nd Round

Bomersund Welfare 2 Blyth Spartans 0

Spartans crashed out of the cup against 2nd Division Bomersund in what was the shock result of the round. Spartans conceded an early goal against the run of play following a defensive mix up. However, the Blyth side rallied to bombard the Bomersund goal for the remainder of the half and despite having a multitude of chances, hitting the post and bar they failed to score. The second half continued in the same vein and due to poor finishing and some good goalkeeping could still not get the elusive equalizer. Their frustration was compounded in stoppage time when Bomersund broke away to score a second just before the end of the game. Lewis Davison was voted MOM for Spartans.
NEYD Divisional Cup – Preliminary Round

Blyth Spartans 3 Alnwick Town 1

Spartans U13 started their 2007 – 2008 season with this home Divisional cup tie against Alnwick Town from the NABC Division 2.The Blyth side started the game brightly and went ahead inside the opening 5 minutes when new signing Leame Robinson fired home. Spartans continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the first half but failed to turn their pressure into goals against a stubborn and resilient Alnwick side.The game continued in the same vein throughout the second period but with Alnwick looking dangerous on the counter attack and Spartans paid the price for not taking their chances when Alnwick broke away and scored with two minutes of the game remaining. This forced the game into extra time and it was Spartans who took the initiative when Lewis Davison scored from close range in the first period. The Blyth side ensured victory in the second period when Scott Ferguson scored from the edge of the box after a fine passing move. Overall, this was a pretty lacklustre display by Spartans and they will need to improve on this performance if they want to succeed this season.