Comfort zone at last for Spartans

Apr 27 2009 The Journal

Burscough 2, Blyth Spartans 3

BLYTH Spartans, who have flirted with relegation throughout the season, finally ended well clear of the drop zone with victory at Burscough.

There was an early chance for the home side, who were already relegated before this last game. Mattie Parry was in a good position but Adam Laidlaw came to Spartans’ rescue with an excellent tackle in the six-yard box. Parry, though, was quickly back in the action and from his centre Ryan Wade turned the ball home at the far post.

Blyth goalkeeper Mark Bell was forced into turning a Josh Hine header for a corner before Blyth equalised four minutes into the second period. Marc Walton’s drive rebounded off the upright and Chris McCabe headed in.

A minute later, misunderstanding in the home defence enabled Jed Dalton to nip in and put Blyth in front but with 15 minutes remaining Michael Yates was left with a simple tap-in for the equaliser.

There were just six minutes left on the clock as Spartans claimed the winner. Robbie Dale and Shaun Reay combined and Reay slotted home past Kyle Clancy.

Blyth finish eighth from bottom, comfortably seven points clear of the last relegation place.

BURSCOUGH: Clancy, Lloyd, Standford, Holland, Evans, Roberts, Parry, Golding, Yates, Hine, Wade.

BLYTH SPARTANS: Bell, Leeson, Laidlaw, Williams, Pell (Brackstone), Webster (Dalton), Todd (Farman), McCabe, Dale, Walton, Reay.

Referee: Mr J Dowd. Attendance: 402.