Blyth Spartans defeated by Blackburn Rovers

Jan 6 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

BLYTH’S FA Cup fairytale came to an end last night – but the defeat failed to silence the non-league side’s fans.

Former Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers won a close run encounter 1-0, but the town’s people remained justifiably proud of their team.

The Spartans were centimetres from earning a replay at Ewood Park with a flurry of late chances including one that shaved the post.

The ground was packed, as were pubs around the town and the Blyth Spartans Social Club next to the ground.

When the game started a few early tackles were met with roars of approval inside the ground and among the fans congregated in the social club.

The odd venture by the team into Blackburn’s defensive third was enough to get people out of their seats and when their own attacks weren’t forthcoming the Blyth fans delighted in ironic cheers for every Blackburn effort that came to nothing.

Blackburn got into their stride after about 10 minutes and the Blyth fans were out of their seats again when goalkeeper Mark Bell was called into action.

On 25 minutes a defensive mistake by Blackburn gave second round goal hero Ged Dalton Blyth’s first chance. He snatched at the shot but the opportunity lifted the fans and the atmosphere, and Blyth started to pose a threat going forward.

Corners and throw-ins near the Blackburn goal were greeted with cheers, which were so loud they could well have greeted an FA Cup winning goal at Wembley.

As the half progressed conversation turned to the possibility of holding out until half time. But the fans were soon nervously sipping their pints again after Blackburn had a goal ruled out – an acrobatic effort that was deemed to be offside.

It was seeming only a matter of time before Rovers scored and the atmosphere in the social club reached its most anxious as a close range volley hit a Blyth defender flush in the face to keep the scores level at half time.

A standing ovation was given to the players as they left the field at half time, not just at the ground but also at clubs and pubs – and maybe even in a few living rooms – around the town.

Half time talk at the bar was that a positive result was not out of the question. But Blyth’s resistance only lasted until around the hour mark when Blackburn finally broke the deadlock courtesy of a well struck free kick to momentarily bring stunned silence in the social club.

The team and the club’s supporters were not to be deterred, however, and an intricate passing move with around 15 minutes to go once again lifted fans from their seats.

Spartans had two great opportunities to get back on level terms with a half volley from close range narrowly missing the post and a header from a free kick which flew over.

A lot of the fans in the social club thought the first of those efforts had hit the back of the net and where up on their feet celebrating when the replay showed the ball had gone agonisingly wide.

Testament to Blackburn’s respect for Blyth was the fact that Rovers players ran down the clock towards the final whistle much to the frustration of those watching on big screens throughout the town.

The final whistle was met with some disappointment but overall a great sense of pride and achievement.

Everyone in the social club joined supporters at the game itself in getting to their feet to applaud, and a chant of "We are Blyth" soon started up.

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