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Tuesday 7th October - Frickley Athletic 2-1 Blyth Spartans

A much improved performance earned the Blues three valuable and richly deserved points following a 2-1 win over Blyth Spartans. Phil Sharpe brought in newly signed midfielder Nick Richardson from Ossett Town and recalled the fit again Mark Vickerage up front. 

It was Blyth who managed the first shot on goal when after just 30 seconds Anthony Woodhouse turned inside Karl Colley some 30 yards out before controlling the ball and seeing his low 25 yard shot go just wide of the right hand post. The Blues went close on 9 minutes when Blyth keeper Michael Walker pulled off a great one handed save to dent Vickerage from 15 yards whilst two minutes later Phil Lindley shot just over following some persistent Blues' pressure.  The Blues went on to dictate most of the play over the next 15 minutes or so but were unable to break through the resolute Blyth defence until the 25th minutes when Vickerage's 25 yard shot was well caught on the line by Walker. Blyth looked dangerous on the counter-attack with former Premiership star Graham Fenton usually at the heart of their attacks. On 35 minutes Mark Samways was forced to save a low swerving 20 yard shot frpom Gareth McAlindon whilst on 38 minutes Samways came out to the left of his box to clear a long ball but completely missed the ball but Fenton's attempted shot struck Colley and went out for a corner. On 40 minutes the Blues got the goal they richly deserved following a foul on Lee Morris some 25 yards out. Gary Hatto touched the ball to RICHARDSON and the former York City and Halifax Town player fired a low shot just inside the right hand post. Two minutes later it was almost 2-0 when a Blyth defender's wayward pass back to Walker rolled just wide of the left hand post. The Blues had a let off on the stroke of half time when Antony Jackson tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick when under pressure from Fenton but Fenton managed to keep the ball in as Jackson fell over. Samways tried to pounce on the ball but Fenton knocked the ball back but Woodhouse's shot on the turn from 15 yarsd went just wide of the right hand post.

Blyth drew level ten minutes after the break when Fenton chased Jackson as he tried to guide the ball back to Samways but between them Jackson and Samways got caught out leaving Fenton to tap the ball in from almost on the line. On 57 minutes Hatto's free-kick from the left was met by Lindley but his header was deflected inches over the bar. The resulting corner saw VICKERAGE turn the ball in following a scramble after 58 minutes to put the Blues back in front. On 76 minutes Samways pulled off a good one handed save to deny Woodhouse from 15 yards whilst on 80 minutes Michael Laws put a 30 yarder just wide of the left hand post. Substitute Dan Sheriffe threatened to increase the lead on 84 minutes when he robbed a defender down the rightbefore breaking into the box but he was denied by a brilliant tackle.

Frickley Athletic : Samways, Kamara, Hatto, Pugh, Jackson, Colley, Richards, Richardson (Sheriffe 77), Morris, Vickerage (Hurrell 79), Lindley. Unused sub. McCargo

Blyth Spartans : Walker, Dixon, Crutwell (Bell 73), Laws, Forster, McAlindon, Williams, Richardson, Fenton, Woodhouse, Alkinson. Unsued subs. Smith, Graham

Att: 171

Ref : Mr N. Murphy  

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