Brilliant Blyth are five points from title glory
BLYTH Spartans could win the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League and promotion to Conference North this weekend.
Super Spartans need a maximum of five points to lift the title as they head for Rushall Olympic tomorrow.
Victory in the Midlands, and yet another double, would make Saturday’s home clash with lowly Halesowen Town D-day.
Sean Reid’s goal 11 minutes into the second half on Saturday saw Blyth rack up their 12th away win of the campaign.
A 1-0 victory at Stafford Rangers in front of a crowd of 806 at Marston Road edged Blyth ever closer to the title.
While Stafford ran them close, Spartans did enough to win — Rangers’ boss Neil Kitching crowning Blyth as worthy NPL kings.
He said: “We were beaten by the best team in the division, a really good side who will be promoted as champions.
“Blyth are top of the league for a reason and well clear - they did everything right on the day and it was a proper away performance.
“They did all the basics right and we were beaten by the better side.
“Their game management from the first minute to the last was top-drawer.
“We went toe-to-toe with them and gave them a game but they deserved their victory.”
If Blyth find the net at Rushall they will have scored a century of league goals, just another impressive statistic in a magnificent campaign.
Delighted manager Alun Armstrong said: “It has been a great effort from everyone.
“The finishing line is in sight and we keep going.”