Spartans’ seven-minute heaven
TWO goals in the opening seven minutes secured a vital three points for Blyth Spartans, on a day they conceded two penalties.
Kieran Green’s second-minute strike was doubled five minutes later by Dan Maguire as Spartans took an early two-goal lead.
The hosts were awarded penalties either side of the interval, the first saved by Peter Jameson in first-half injury time before Colby Bishop netted the second 10 minutes into the second period.
Spartans came into the game on a run of five without a win, but LEAMINGTON BLYTH SPARTANS 1 2
there was no lack of confidence in the opening 10 minutes from Alun Armstrong’s men.
Green picked up the ball in midfield – inside the first two minutes – and ran towards goal before lashing the ball home from the edge of the area to give Spartans the lead.
Maguire doubled the lead when he latched on to an Alex Nicholson assist to finish with aplomb past Tony Breeden five minutes later.
As the game entered first-half injury time, Jameson misjudged a challenge on Ahmed Obeng with the referee awarding a penalty. The keeper guessed the right way to deny Bishop – although there was some debate as to whether the ball had crossed the line.
The Brakes were awarded a second penalty when Obeng scythed down by Louis Laing.
Bishop adjusted his strategy and slotted the ball into the opposite corner from his first attempt.
Leamington: Breeden, English, Gudger, Flanagan (Wilding, Hood, Mace, Mirphy, Gittings (Clarke), Bishop, Edwards, Obeng (Taylor). Not used: Lane, Newey Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Horner, Nicholson, Green, Buddle, Laing, Rivers, Mullen (Reid), Magure (Fewster), Holmes (Wrightson), Dale. Not used: Butler, Oliver