Avenue is dead end for Spartans

BLYTH Spartans were brought back down to Earth after their derby win over Darlington as they were well-beaten by Bradford Park Avenue.

The hosts made the perfect start as the capitalised on some poor Spartans defending.

With just two minutes on the clock, a miskick from Ryan Hutchinson fell to Adam Boyes and he set up Wayne Brooksby for a simple finish past Peter Jameson.

The lead was nearly doubled on 10 minutes as Oli Johnson was left unmarked from a corner but his header was cleared off the line.

Spartans created an opening as Dale Hopson found Jarrett Rivers and the winger forced Avenue keeper Steven Drench into an impressive stop.

The hosts stayed on top and Spartans were grateful for a lastditch challenge from Nathan Buddle as the defender denied Johnson from adding his second.

However, there was no stopping Avenue in first-half injury time as Nicky Clee found an unmarked Johnson and he tapped in from close range.

Avenue added a third on 53 minutes as Jameson was beaten to a long ball by Adam Boyes.

He pulled it back to Jamie Spencer and his effort found it’s way past two Spartans defenders on the line.

Boyes added a fourth by taking advantage of more poor defending. The only bright spot for the travelling Green Army was a consolation goal from Robbie Dale.