It’s Marske of sorrow as Maguire hat-trick hero
Hat-trck hero Dan Maguire is congratulated by his Spartans teammates A DOUBLE rainbow provided a spectacular backdrop for the FA Trophy third qualifying round tie between Blyth Spartans and Marske United.
It seems unlikely a pot of gold would be found at either end so it’s the National League club that will have to settle for £5,000 in prize money thanks to Dan Maguire’s perfect hat-trick.
But don’t be fooled by the 4-1 scoreline; it was far from easy for Alun Armstrong’s men, who were given a real test by the Seasiders.
Both sides made a tentative opening to the game with half chances falling to Spartans winger Dale and Marske striker Owens, but neither player could seriously trouble the opposition keeper.
Owens should have done exactly that just after the quarter-hour mark when he rose to meet a fine cross from James Fairley but could only send his effort wide of the far post.
That miss was punished on 21 minutes as Maguire fired Spartans ahead with his first goal of the day.
It owed much to a misplaced pass in the Marske midfield that was seized upon by Kieran Green.
The former Gateshead midfielder released Robbie Dale into the righthand side of the area and his sideward pass allowed Maguire to slot the ball past Rob Dean with ease.
The visitors had their purple patch in the moments before the half hour and should have been level as Josh Rowbotham had a shot cleared from the line by Damen Mullen and Craig Gott fired a weak shot at Peter Jameson when he was in on goal.
Again the Seasiders would be punished for their profligacy as Maguire doubled Spartans’ lead with a header after a wonderful cross from the right