Hosts Blyth once again impressive
BLYTH Spartans’ impressive form continued when they ended 10-man Chorley’s unbeaten run of five games at Croft Park.
The Magpies, who had Stephen Jordan sent off, had their wings clipped when goals from Nathan Buddle and Dan Maguire gave Blyth a 2-0 win – their fourth on the bounce.
The three points consolidated Spartans place in the top four of the Vanarama National League after seven wins from 11 games.
Manager Alun Armstrong said: “It was the best performance of the season for us. First-half we could have been a couple of goals up. We were outstanding tonight and thoroughly deserved the victory.
“At half-time we had to tell the lads to keep doing what they were doing and playing the way they were and full credit to them they kept going and got what they deserved.
“Maguire is on fire at the minute and he could have scored a couple of more goals. He is causing teams all kinds of problems.
“The team is full of confidence and it is bringing even more out of him – I am chuffed to bits with the displays and results.”
Sean Reid and Maguire tested Matt Urwin before Robbie Dale hit the post in the 21st minute as Blyth enjoyed the better of the first-half.
And the Spartans continued to press with Reid seeing his effort cleared off the line four minutes before the break.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Dale’s freekick was headed home by Buddle for his third goal of the season.
Matt Jansen’s side were reduced to 10-men during the Spartans celebrations as former Premier League defender, Jordan, received a straight red for dissent.
In-form Maguire sealed the win when he pounced on a slip by Adam Blakeman to net his 10th goal of the season with six minutes remaining.