Spartans draw in Dale’s last game

ROBBIE Dale bid an emotional farewell to Blyth Spartans as his side ended their season with a 2-2 draw at Gloucester City.

The long-serving winger was named among the substitutes and watched on as Connor Thomson fired his side into an early lead.

Terry Mitchell’s men continued their positive performance with the likes of JJ O’donnell and Angelo Cappello both going close to doubling their lead ahead of half time.

That momentum spilled over into the second half as Spartans penned their hosts back into their own half and continued to 2 2

create chances. O’donnell headed over from a Nicky Deverdics free kick and striker Dan Maguire saw a shot deflected narrowly wide.

The Tigers spurned an opportunity to get back into the game when Kevin Dawson struck the crossbar with a penalty just after the hour mark.

It would be a temporary reprieve for Spartans as Gloucester turned the game on its head as Fabien Robert and Lucas Tomlinson both scored in the space of two minutes. But Spartans would not be denied as Dale came to the fore with the clock ticking down.

The Spartans stalwart was denied the opportunity of a fairytale finish in the last minute – but he played a part in a dramatic equaliser as his deflected shot found its way to JJ O’donnell and allowed the midfielder to earn his side a point with a simple finish.

GLOUCESTER CITY: Wiles-richards, Leadbitter, James, Harrison, Martinez (Hill), Hall (King), Tomlinson, Dawson, O’sullivan, Hulbert (Robert), Green Subs: Armstrong, Derrick

BLYTH SPARTANS: Mitchell, Buddle, Maguire (Dale), O’donnell, Deverdics, Lees, Thomson (Djalo), Barlow, Almond, Robson, Cappello Subs: Reid, Watson, Mckeown