Blue Square conference North

Aug 25 2008 The Journal

Blyth Spartans 3, Workington 1

MANAGER Harry Dunn failed in his bid to bring in two new players before the game but was no doubt pleased with the performance of his existing squad.

Blyth were worthy winners against Workington who rarely threatened.

They declared their intentions from the start taking the game to the Reds and were almost rewarded after six minutes. Robbie Dale, Andrew Leeson and Philip Bell combined and Ged Dalton forced a save from goalkeeper Adam Collin.

Two minutes later Blyth thought they had taken the lead but Dale's header was ruled offside. Reds goalkeeper Collin made another excellent save to deny a Richard Pell header.

From the resultant corner the home side went in front. Simon Todd played it short to Dale who picked out Philip Bell and he turned the ball home.

Blyth went further in front as a Gareth Williams' free-kick wide on the right was headed in by Anthony Hume. On half time Williams added the third, his free-kick going beyond Collin on his line.

Workington got one back when Jonny Wright fired past Mark Bell with 13 minutes left.

BLYTH SPARTANS: Mark Bell; Leeson, Brown, Williams, Pell, Todd, Dalton (Snowdon), Philip Bell (McCabe), Dale, Hume, Wright (Poole).

Goals: Mark Bell 15, Hume 37, Williams 45.

WORKINGTON: Collin, McLuckie, Andrews, May, Kirkhope, Johnson (Vipond), Anthony, Hopper, J Wright, Robinson (Hardman), A Wright (Arnison).

Goal: J Wright 77

Referee: S Stockbridge (England).

Attendance: 451.

Gainsborough Trinity 0, Gateshead 0

MANAGER Ian Bogie handed a seasonal debut to Craig Nelthorpe, on loan from Doncaster but the newcomer was unable to steer Gateshead to victory in the Blue Square North game at Gainsborough Trinity.

This is Nelthorpe's second spell at the International Stadium and there's no doubt he will be an influential player during the next three months.

He played his part on Saturday but the left-sided attacking player was unable to pierce the well-organised Trinity defence in a match when scoring chances were few and far between.

The nearest Gateshead came to breaking the deadlock was when a header by Graham Armstrong hit the post but generally Gainsborough goalkeeper Adam Sollitt was not unduly troubled.

Gainsborough huffed and puffed and the Tynesiders' defence adequately coped leaving goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite to enjoy a quiet afternoon.

GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY: Sollitt, Greenwood, Drury, Ellis, Lukic, Anson, Austin (Ross), McMahon, Marrison, Mallon (Benjamin), Hall (Burley).

GATESHEAD: Muss elwhite; Baxter, Phillips, Gate, Curtis, Jones, Southern (Rae), Turnbull (Harwood), Armstrong, Nelthorpe, Turnbull.

Referee: Mr M Bell. Attendance: 365.