Hopson spot on as Blyth secure victory

AN early Dale Hopson penalty was enough to send Blyth Spartans into the second round of the FA Trophy with last night’s 1-0 win over AFC Telford.

Spartans can now look forward to another home tie in the secondround on January 13th against National League side Bromley.

Manager Alun Armstrong said: “That is a tie we can look forward to, this one was a non-event, but a good result.

“I can’t remember either side having a shot on target, but we defended very well against a decent Telford side.

“We’ve pulled in £11,000 in prize money in the Trophy so far, and it’s great to make further progress.”

Blyth got off to the perfect start with a goal after just nine minutes – it proved to be the winner.

Dan Maguire exchanged passes with Hopson from a corner, with Maguire going down following a challenge in the box.

Spot-kick specialist Hopson sent Bucks’ keeper Jaz Singh the wrong way from 12-yards to delight most fans in a crowd of 474.

An uneventful first half saw Telford almost equalise when Elliot Newby’s deflected free-kick came back off the post.

Hopson was replaced 10 minutes into the second period by Gateshead loanee Kieran Green, but the final 45 minutes proved to be as dull as the first as both sides struggled to produce goalmouth incident.

Spartans – who are back on league duty at York City on Saturday – are the only local side definitely through to the last 32 with Gateshead and Spennymoor’s ties again postponed; the Heed are now at home to Guiseley tonight. ■■THREE goals in the last five minutes helped Whickham to a 3-0 home win against near-neighbours Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.

The game looked set to finish goalless only for the Lang Jacks to take the points thanks to late strikes from John Martin, Kyle Wharton and Steven Aiston.

That win moves Whickham into the top five of the Northern League Division Two table.

Consett took their time to break down some stubborn resistance from Sunderland West End in their Durham Challenge Cup tie.

However, once they got an opener through Nathan Lawrence on 40 minutes, the Steelmen blew away their Wearside League opponents with five more goals in the second-half to win 6-0.