Clinical Bulls are too strong for Spartans
BLYTH SPARTANS 0 HEREFORD 3
BLYTH Spartans failed to end a positive week on a high as a clinical display from Hereford gave them all three points at Croft Park.
Michael Nelson’s side went into the game looking to add to the four points they gained from fixtures against Farsley Celtic and Curzon Ashton – but they were left empty-handed as a brace from Tom Owen-evans and a Lenell John-lewis strike gave the visitors a comfortable win.
Spartans started the game in positive fashion and almost got themselves in front as early as the fourth minute.
Recent signing Michael Cain swung in a corner-kick from the right-hand side and Aaron Cunningham was unfortunate to see his powerful header cleared from the goal-line by Bulls captain Jared Hodgkiss.
The on-loan Hartlepool United defender showed his prowess at the other end of the pitch moments later when he managed to block a goalbound shot from Yan Klukowski before scrambling the ball clear.
The chances continued to flow during a lively opening quarter of an hour and Blyth were given their visitors as much as they were getting.
The in-form Paul Blackett was the next to try his luck as he linked up with Connor Thomson before seeing his shot blocked.
The rebound popped up towards Blackett, but he could only divert an acrobatic effort over the bar from around eight yards out.
Despite their positive start, there was always a feeling that Spartans would have to maintain the intensity and organisation that had been the hallmarks of their display during the opening half-hour.
However, they were punished twice in the space of two minutes as the Bulls took full control of some hesitant defending with great aplomb.
Tom Owen-evans was the chief architect of Spartans’ downfall as he edged his side in front with a header at the far-post after the hosts’ defenders had switched off following a scramble in their area.
And moments later, Owen-evans doubled his tally and his side’s lead when he was given time and space to send a deflected volley beyond Spartans keeper Brad Young.
The lively forward should have completed a hat-trick five minutes before half-time when he beat the offside trap but could only send an angled drive past Young’s near post.
Spartans, to their credit, kept pushing to get themselves back into the game as half-time approached and they had a more than credible shout for a penalty waved away by referee Adam Williamson.
Blackett looked to take advantage of a lack of communication between Bulls captain Hodgkiss and keeper Waite before the latter made contact with the Spartans striker as the ball was cleared.
However, any appeals were waved away by the match official and Nelson’s side were left to contemplate an uphill struggled after the interval.
That hill could have become even more steep in the early stages of the second-half when Bulls midfielder Yan Klukowski brought a fine save out of Spartans keeper Young with a powerful shot from 25 yards.
That save sparked something in Nelson’s side and they enjoyed their most productive period of the game as the hour-mark approached.
Defender Matthew Elsdon was left frustrated when his powerful volley narrowly avoided the far post and that
frustration spread even further when Callum Guy wasted Spartans’ best opportunity to get themselves back in the game.
The young midfielder was presented with a clear chance to test keeper Waite after good work from Thomson and Blackett – but lashed his shot high and wide from 12 yards.
Spartans were punished by their visitors’ ruthless nature with 20 minutes remaining as Lenell John-lewis found himself in space midway inside their half and unleashed an unstoppable drive beyond the helpless Young.
All focus now heads towards another challenge for Nelson and his players as they prepare for their first North East derby of the season when they visit Spennymoor Town on Tuesday.