Blyth Spartans 0 Gateshead 2
by Ricky Butler at Croft Park
Two goals in five first half minutes was enough to send in-form Gateshead into the semi final of the FA Trophy at the expense of a spirited Blyth Spartans at Croft Park on Saturday.
The Tynesiders arrived on the back of a six game winning run that has seen them emerge as outsiders for a place in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs, and they started full of confidence.
Phil Turnbull had already seen a volley saved by Blyth goalkeeper Dan Lowson when former Gateshead defender Chris Swailes, who was released by his home-town club last summer, had the misfortune of slicing a cross from Michael Liddle into his own net after just 13 minutes.
The tie was then as good as settled five minutes later when James Curtis turned the ball home from close range after linking well with his central defensive partner Ben Clarke inside the six yard box for his first goal of the season.
The hosts from the Blue Square Bet North battled hard after that but the closest they came to some late consolation was when captain Paul Brayson fired an effort against the crossbar, while Robert Dale then saw his follow up saved by Gateshead goalkeeper Tim Deasy.
But the visitors always looked in control and could have added to their total in the closing stages through the free-scoring Nathan Fisher, who was first denied by Dowson before firing a far post volley wide of the target.
Manager Ian Bogie was relieved to see his side through to the semi final. he said: "In cup football when you are playing against your local rivals it's all about getting through to the next round, so to come away with a clean sheet and score two goals was very pleasing.
"At 2-0 it looked comfortable but I always felt we had another gear. To be fair we got a bit complacent in the second half, some of our passing was very sloppy and the chances they had towards the end were of our own making. Our final ball was poor and it was just a case of seeing the game out." he added.
"It was good to see James (Curtis) get on the score sheet as we have been trying to get him to score more from set pieces and we are hoping he’ll get a few more before the season ends."
When asked about his sides recent good form, Bogie responded by saying, "We have been on a great run, have had a great February but we are not getting carried away and will just be concentrating on Tuesday's trip to York."
The tie had an extra edge to it as twin brothers Stephen and Phil Turnbull were on opposing sides, but it was Gateshead’s Phil, an ex-Spartan, who came out with all the plaudits with a man of the match performance which impressed his manager.
"He was the best player on the park by a country mile. His partner in the middle, Kris Gate, does a great job which enables Phil to express himself and he was outstanding again today."
The draw for the semi final, made earlier today, paired Gateshead with North-East rivals Darlington so a team from the region is guaranteed a place at Wembley. The first leg of the tie will be at the Northern Echo Arena on Saturday March 12 with the return at The International Stadium a week later.
Blyth Spartans - Lowson 7, Groves 6, Cave 6, Deverdics 6, Swailes 5, Buchanan 6, Hocks 7, Turnbull(S) 6, Brayson 6, Alexander 6 (O' Maloney 6), Dale 7. Subs not used - Wright, Smith, Wilkinson, Cunningham.
Gateshead - Deasy 7, Gate 7, Curtis 7, Clarke 8, Brittain 7, TURNBULL (P) 9, Shaw 6 (Wake 7), Nelthorpe 8, Fisher 7 (Winn 5), Liddle 7, Tavernier 8 (Baxter 6). Subs not used - Farman, Gillies.
ATTENDANCE; 2,719
No comments:
Post a Comment