Super sub Dalton leads Spartans towards dream cup tie

Dec 17 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

GED Dalton made Blue Square North side Blyth Spartans £200,000 better off last night but the match-winning midfielder was more concerned about collecting £20 from his girlfriend.

The former Carlisle United player came off the bench to score the only goal in Blyth’s FA Cup second-round replay at home to Bournemouth.

His 89th-minute volley set up a live TV third round clash at home to Blackburn Rovers and guaranteed a bumper payout for the Croft Park club.

“I was saying to mates and everyone that I’d score tonight,” the 18-year-old revealed afterwards. “My girlfriend owes me 20 quid because I had a bet with her.”

Dalton’s goal brought a breathtaking end to a match which seemed to be heading for extra time. “Unbelievable wasn’t it?” he said. “What more can you say? I’m happy for the club, the fans, the lads.

“I was praying it didn’t go to extra time and I’d only been on about 10 minutes but I was knackered! When the fourth official put the board up to say there were four minutes to go it was the longest four minutes of my life.

“Now I can’t wait for Monday, January 5. I’ll be thinking about it every time I go to bed between now and then.

“It will be unbelievable to play against Blackburn. We’ve all seen them on telly, but to play against them will be special, particularly at Croft Park.”

Although Dalton is only starting out on his football career, his story so far has largely been one of misfortune. Dalton played for Conference North Scarborough aged 16, only for the Seadogs to go into liquidation. His subsequent spell at Carlisle never got started thanks to knee injuries.

REPORT: Page 62