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Saturday 18th February - Frickley Athletic  2-2  Blyth Spartans (aet - Blyth win 5-2 on penalties)

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The Blues suffered penalty heartbreak for the third time this season as they went out of the UniBond League Chairman's Cup 5-3 on penalties to Blyth Spartans. Alex Callery had twice given the Blues the lead from the penalty spot during normal time but on each occasion Chris McCabe equalised with well taken headers. Callery missed a third penalty on 81 minutes and Blyth had Alex Gildea dismissed for a second caution after 94 minutes.

With Nicky Heinemann suspended Neil Ashley came in at left back whilst Andy Evans partnered Rob Pell up front with Chris Adam being ill. Ritchie Butler joined James Stansfield and Richard Tracey on the subs. bench to be involved for the first time since suffering his serious injury against Prescot Cables in September.

Andy Evans had the ball in the net for the Blues after 17 minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside. The Blues took the lead on 43 minutes when Martyn Woolford was brought down inside the box as he latched on to a flick on from Rob Pell. ALEX CALLERY stepped up to score from the spot. However, within 2 minutes Blyth equalised when they exploited the Blues' lack of a recognised left full-back to chip the ball to the far past where Chris McCabe rose unchallenged to head past Gary Ingham.

The Blues re-took the lead on 71 minutes from a second penalty after Pell's cross had been handled by Alex Gildea. CALLERY again confidently tucked away the penalty. Pell then broke clear but was beaten by the pitch as he struggled to control the ball but he still managed to get in a shot which hit the outside of the right hand post. A good break from Callery then saw him play in Woolford was was again bundled over inside the box. However, this time Callery put his penalty over the bar after 81 minutes. This was to prove costly as two minutes later McCabe got his head to a deep free-kick to steer a header just inside the post with Gary Ingham appearing to think the ball was going wide. Minutes later Ingham was the Blues saviour as he pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to block a Blyth shot from just 6 yards out.

Just 4 minutes into extra time Alex Gildea was sent off for a second bookable offence and shortly afterwards Pell again found himself clear but again he struggled to control the ball and was crowded out. With neither side managing to snatch a winner the game was decided on penalties.

Blyth took the first kick which Richard Forster scored. Rob Pell then scored for the Blues before Anthony Lowther scored for Blyth. Neil Ashley then scored via the left hand post for the Blues to tie the scores but Graham Fenton but Blyth ahead with Richard Tracey seeing his spot-kick well saved by Craig Turns. Andrew Leeson put Blyth in the driving seat but Alex Callery kept the Blues in the hunt by scoring his kick but Craig Price scored Blyth's fifth spot-kick to put Blyth through to the final.