Solihull Moors 1, Blyth Spartans 1
Nov 9 2009 by Steve Brown, The Journal
WATCHING The Football Factory on the long road home, Mick Tait continues to build his own.
The former Hartlepool and Darlington manager has revolutionised Blyth Spartans, manufacturing a slick passing side, and if they continue to be cursed by inconsistency, disappointment at a draw away from home is a telling sign of progress. After all, Blyth did score three goals.
Trailing to Dean Lea’s opener, Paul Brayson had a goal chalked off for offside and after he did equalise legitimately, Ian Graham struck a would-be winner only for the referee to ignore the advantage and take the game back for a free-kick following a foul on the goalscorer.
Hence – between films on the bus journey home – Tait’s downbeat demeanour.
“We’re a bit disappointed, having had two goals disallowed,” he said.
“(Paul) Brayson was ruled offside for one, which was marginal. Then Ian Graham was fouled, we all heard the contact from the bench, but he stayed on his feet, twisted and scored. Then the referee took it back for the free-kick, not even playing the advantage.
“The ref knew he’d made a mistake, he wouldn’t speak to us after the game. They were poor decisions, the crowd was absolutely stunned. They scored off the only chance they created, they humped a lot of long balls into the box. For the most part we coped pretty well.”
Not least because of debutant Rikki Bains, on loan from Darlington. “He did very well,” Tait added. “We were down to three defenders so we needed him in there.”
SOLIHULL MOORS: Crane; Khela, Stapleton, Daly, Street, Faulds, English, Downes, Douglas, Lee, Campion. Subs (not used): Gardner, Beswick, Pugh, Dempster, Edwards.
Goal: Lee 30.
BLYTH SPARTANS: Bell, Harrison, Boyle, Tait, Williams, Bains, McCabe, Turnbull, Brayson, Graham, Webster. Subs (not used): Todd, Gillies, Alexander, Brackstone, Norton.
Goal: Brayson 69.
Attendance: 212.Referee: G Law (Leicester).
