Recap
Workington’s poor NPL record at Croft Park continued as Blyth showed plenty of spirit in ending their winless start to the campaign.
Yet for the first twenty minutes, perhaps a bit longer, Reds were as good as they have been with a fast brand of cohesive football, quick accurate passing, chances being created and a performance that was pleasing on the eye.
But compare that to Spartans’ equally impressive start to the second half when they had Reds pinned in their defensive third of the pitch. They made their pressure count and got the crucial first goal, with the Cumbrians left to reflect on their own failings in the Blyth area and an inability to repeat their first half endeavours.
Three more players were drafted in to the squad with veteran David Norris and Carlisle United duo Jake Allan and Aran Fitzpatrick extending the number of players used, so far, to twenty-two! And until the right blend eventually jumps out at us, the inconsistency will remain consistent.
Fitzpatrick’s inclusion certainly added a better balance to the left-hand side and enabled Tom Stephenson a more attacking role with the latter unplayable in the first half. He had a couple of decent shots saved by Harrison Bond and was involved in two or three passages of play which opened up Blyth’s back line.
But his enterprising play came to nothing, David Symington (twice) and Kai Nugent saw attempts narrowly miss the target and Steven Rigg had an effort from distance dealt with by Bond.
And Spartans’ early resilience would prove crucial as they grew stronger – defensively and offensively – the longer the game progressed.
Former Blyth ‘keeper, Alex Mitchell, saved well to thwart Billy Gordon and Nicky Deverdics and luck was on his side when Michael Woods’ attempted lob drifted over the bar and then when a shot from the same player rattled the post.
But he was beaten by Gordon’s cross shot in the sixty-second minute which secured Blyth’s first league win of the season. Ben Milburn was allowed to escape from a tight corner and he laid the ball into Gordon’s path for the well taken winner.
Reds made a diluted attempt to salvage the game but the quality of service didn’t match that from earlier in the game and home ‘keeper Bond wasn’t seriously tested.
Blyth can now look forward to a home tie in the FA Cup on Saturday with confidence restored whilst Reds will be attempting to boost morale at Matlock who, like Spartans, will be looking for that elusive first league win at Workington’s expense!
Blyth Spartans: Bond, Pani, Holvey, Simpson, Halford, Milburn, Gordon, Woods, Savage (Gardiner, 74), Gomes, Deverdics. Substitutes – Aitken, Hogan, Curry, Norvell (not used).
Workington: Mitchell, Galloway, Fitzpatrick, Williams (Norris, 68), Swinglehurst (Little, 80), Wilkinson, Symington, Allan, Rigg, Nugent, Stephenson (Allen, 59). Substitutes – Hubbold, McCarron (not used).
Referee: Tyler Dutton, Durham
Bookings: Gordon, Milburn (Blyth Spartans), Nugent (Workington)
Attendance: 515