Webster double seals win

Mar 31 2008 The Journal

Blyth Spartans2

Kettering Town0

INCONSISTENCY has been the hallmark of Blyth Spartans’ performances throughout the season and Saturday’s Blue Square North game at Croft Park was no exception, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

After claiming only a point from their previous five games and being sucked into the relegation dogfight, Harry Dunn’s side were the underdogs against Kettering Town.

A win for the visitors and the right results elsewhere could have crowned them champions, but Spartans were triumphant and Kettering’s celebrations were put on ice.

A crowd of 465 braved the rain and wind and were cheered after 20 minutes. Stephen Birks, Robbie Dale and Ben Christiensen combined in a fast-flowing move, and when the ball was delivered to the near post, Adrian Webster fired past Lee Harper.

Andy Robinson should have done better than shoot straight at Blyth goalkeeper Adam Bartlett but the home side belied the big points gap between the sides and increased their lead before the interval.

Again, it was Webster who struck. Christiensen played a ball over the visitors’ defence and Martin Houlahan didn’t give up the chase.

He centred for Webster to score his second.

Spartans had the wind to their advantage in the second half and dominated but most of the play was in midfield. The best chance fell to the visitors but captain John Dempster headed at Bartlett.

In injury time a sweeping move involving debutants Ged Dalton and Richard Follett ended with the latter seeing his goalbound saved by Kettering keeper Harper.

Blyth Spartans: Bartlett, Christiansen, Boyle, Leeson, Williams, Brown, Webster, Alex Gildea, Dale, Birks, Houlahan. Subs (not used): Snowden, Hedley, Dalton, Follett, Fenton.

Goals: Webster 20, 35.

KETTERING: Harper, Eaden, Jaszczun, Dempster, Branston, Solkhon, Brady, Bridges, Beardsley, Robinson, Westcarr. Subs (not used): Graham, Marna, Kemp, Mills, Bussey.

Attendance: 465 Referee: BC Sygmuta (N’allerton)