Dale treble leaves boss Alun happy
A JUBILANT Alun Armstrong praised his Blyth Spartans side after their 3-0 win at Tamworth, calling their performance “a massive bonus” to their season.
After ending a barren run on Saturday, Blyth talisman Robbie Dale silenced the Lambs in their own back yard.
Dale scored all three of the game’s goals, including a fantastic free-kick, to give Spartans an impressive win in the Midlands, though the hosts hit the bar on three occasions.
Blyth boss Armstrong said: “It wasn’t a 3-0 game. I’ll definitely take it though, and it’s a massive bonus.
“It’s another clean sheet and Tamworth is a difficult place to come to get all three points.
“Dale got a bit of luck in the first half with his first goal. He had an advantage because of his height, but he’s done ever so well.
“We knew the pressure would come because Tamworth came into the game and they’re a good side with a new manager. A bit of luck came our way, but we’ll take that.
“I’d probably have taken a point before the game but the lads worked ever so hard to make sure we got all three. It’s the first time for a while we’ve had some luck – it’s long overdue”.
Blyth took the lead after 20 minutes when Tamworth goalkeeper Jack Stevens was unable to hold onto a weak header from Dale.
The striker scored his second of the game on the hour, curling a free-kick – which he won – past Stevens. His hat-trick was completed in injury time.
Despite Dale’s heroics, the victory wasn’t a one-man effort, goalkeeper Peter Jameson making string of superb saves, while the woodwork also came to Blyth’s rescue. The win took Blyth up to fifth in the table, Armstrong’s men at home to fellow play-off contenders Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.