Gainsborough Trinity signalled their intent by making the relatively short journey up to the northeast on Friday night in preparation for Saturday’s FA Trophy tie with Blyth. Even when 2-0 nil down in the match as half time approached that intent was still strong and the Spartans were soon to have it made painfully clear to them as the Lincolnshire side came back to snatch a deserved draw.

Strangely for a cup tie the game turned out to be as flat as the visitors’ home county. Blyth showed little of the resolve and aptitude evident in recent games and failed to rouse a disappointingly low crowd.

Manager Harry Dunn was left confounded as Gainsborough were allowed to get back in the match following a freekick when the break was beckoning. “We have experienced players and they’re all told time and time again about being cautious once we’ve scored in terms of the opposition possibly catching us out immediately afterwards. Plus at the minute we just can’t defend set pieces. At every free kick or corner kick we look vulnerable. It seems like we’ve stopped putting our heads in or feet in and are always likely to concede.”

Dunn added, “Giving away that goal was the turning point and after the game was really our old story of winning the first half of games and losing the second. We’re not getting a full 90 minutes from the players at the minute and that’s what it was like when I first came to the Club. “ Supporters must wonder what goes on in our dressing room at half time – is someone putting sleeping pills in the players’ tea?”

The second half saw a ball fall to Gainsborough’s lively Mallon and despite a deft finish Dunn was again annoyed with the way he was allowed to be in space to attack the home defence.

He did however have positive words to say about two of his substitutes.
“Young Andy Johnson looked good and could have scored plus Kenny Boyle’s shot which hit the bar could have won the game for us.”
Recent signing Martin Houlaghan put in another determined performance and, although he could have finished better in the first half after rounding the goalkeeper, was deservedly nominated as the Drager Man of the Match.

Losing Chris McCabe with a heel injury at half time robbed the Spartans of their predominant midfielder and Dunn hopes he will be fit again for the replay at Gainsborough. “Chris is important to us but either way we will defend down there as best we can, try not to give bad goals away, and see what happens. They were lucky to beat us at their place in the FA Cup so we’ve still got a chance.”

Next Saturday sees Blyth travel to take on AFC Telford in the Blue Square North.
Dunn mused on why his team seem to be producing their better performances away from home. “I’m not sure why but we seem more relaxed maybe. Or possibly we concentrate better away. It ‘s also the case that Adam Bartlett in our goal has a quieter time at away games. Either way it’s something we must put right.”

Dunn must be hoping that in front of Telford’s impressively large home crowd, which can reach the 2000 mark, that Bartlett does indeed see little of the action, and that the half time tea is free of any alien substances