Still not our best, says Tait

Oct 19 2009 by Steve Brown, The Journal

Blyth Spartans 6

Hinckley United 1

BLYTH SPARTANS hit Hinckley for six at Croft Park. Then Mick Tait said his side have played better this season, writes STEVE BROWN.

The Spartans, 11th in Blue Square North before kick-off, were up against seventh-placed United, who had won their last five games.

Yet the hosts emerged handsomely victorious courtesy of goals from Ian Graham (two), Michael Tait, Stephen Harrison, Mark Donninger and Paul Brayson.

Three came inside five minutes, four within nine. They could even afford to miss a penalty, so comprehensive was their superiority.

Blyth did score seven three weeks ago, but that was in the FA Cup against Ossett Albion, struggling two levels of the pyramid below in UniBond North.

This was a different matter altogether, yet Tait insisted: “That is not the best we have played this season. It was a good, all-round, disciplined performance, but we have played better football.

“Sometimes we are not the best starters but we started really well, won tackles and headers, and that led to the goals when they came.

“Before then no-one was really on top, but I don’t mind that because it means you are always competing with the opposition.”

Blyth led through Tait jnr after 23 minutes, then Robbie Dale missed his spot-kick after Paul Lister fouled Brayson in the box.

The final five minutes of the first half saw Harrison hit a screamer from 25 yards, Donninger sidestep Stuart Giddings and fire past Wayne Connolly, and Graham rifle in his first after Lister’s miskick.

Immediately after the interval, Brayson sprang clear and scored at the second attempt after Connolly palmed away his initial effort and, after Alex Taylor headed a consolation goal for Hinckley, Graham applied the cherry to the icing.

Attempting to redirect Harrison’s centre back across goal, he volleyed with the outside of his foot in mid-air and the ball darted back and beyond Connolly.

BLYTH SPARTANS: Bell, Harrison, Boyle, Tait, Williams, Craddock, McCabe, Doninger, Brayson, Graham, Dale. Subs (not used): Todd, Webster, Gillies, Alexander, Norton.

Goals: Tait 22, Harrison 34, Doninger 43, Graham 45, Brayson 49, Graham 81.

Ref: S Stockbridge (England). Att: 462