Armstrong’s half-time pep talk puts sparkle back into Spartans
ALUN Armstrong watched his highflying Blyth Spartans side come from behind to beat Darlington 3-1 and believes the club can go to the next level.
A crowd of 1,554 – a third of them from Darlington – saw goals from Adam Wrightson, Sean Reid and Robbie Dale turn the tables on the Quakers.
David Syers’ goal on the half hour had given the visitors an advantage they held until half-time.
Blyth, without injured top scorer Dan Maguire, hit back superbly and remain third in the table, seven points behind leaders Harrogate Town.
Armstrong said: “We were pedestrian in the opening 45 minutes and it was definitely a game of two halves.
“Darlington got the goal, sat back and were happy for us to have the ball and we couldn’t get through them.
“I didn’t rant and rave at half-time, I just said we were much better than that and had to reach our levels.
“In the second half, we moved the ball quickly, got the early goal and could have scored five or six on the chances we created.
“After we got the equaliser, the lads’ came to life, the place lifted and we were by far the better side in the second half.” If Blyth can maintain their current standards, they will be in the shake-up for the end of season play-offs – and the chance to reach the top flight for the first time. “I had to see where the club wanted to go. I’m ambitious, just as I was as a player, and if I can get Blyth promoted again, then great.”
Spartans have a free week before they travel to travel to bottom-half side Bradford Park Avenue.