Blyth Spartans 1, Hucknall Town 2
Mar 17 2008 by Macolm Pratt, The Journal
BLYTH Spartans failed to take advantage of Hucknall Town being reduced to 10 men for 42 minutes and suffered a damaging defeat in the Blue Square North relegation scrap at Croft Park.
Spartans trailed by two goals but depleted Hucknall gave little away in defence and it was not until eight minutes from time that Blyth reduced the deficit.
Blyth thought they had scored as early as the sixth minute when a through-ball from Chris McCabe was volleyed home by Michael Hedley but the referee disallowed the effort for offside. Hucknall then shocked the majority of spectators in a crowd of 440, scoring twice in seven minutes.
In the 25th minute Bobby Wilson switched play to the left wing and when Eric Graves centred, Peter Knox slotted the ball wide of the advancing Adam Bartlett. If Blyth were shocked at conceding the lead, another blow was quick to follow and again it was Knox who was the marksman.
A well-taken free kick by captain Ian Robinson was headed home leaving Spartans with a mountain to climb. Their hopes were raised in the 48th minute when skipper Robinson was sent off following an incident with Ben Christensen.
But following this setback Hucknall defended deeply to thwart numerous Blyth raids.
Martin Houlahan had an effort saved by goalkeeper Steve Dickinson but chances were few and far between until the 82nd minute when, following an attacks involving Adrian Webster and Stephen Birks, Christensen fired into the top corner.
Harry Dunn’s side continued to throw men forward but failed to claim an equaliser and remain too near the bottom for real comfort.
BLYTH SPARTANS: Bartlett, Christiansen, Leeson, Snowden, Williams, Brown, Hedley, McCabe, Houlahan, Stephenson, Alex Gildea. Subs (not used): Birks, Webster, Johnson, Boyle, Fenton.
Goal: Christiansen 82.
HUCKNALL: Dickinson, Asher, Sucharewycz, Ellis, Haran, Galloway, Robinson, Wilson, Knox, Ward, Graves. Subs (not used): Manshif, Maveso, Knapper, Smith.
Goals: Knox 25, 32.
Attendance: 440
