Six of the best – as Blyth progress

BLYTH Spartans continued their fine form as they eased to their sixth win in a row, at Lancaster City, to secure a place in the FA Trophy second round.

The Dolly Blues had beaten Spartans’ National League North rivals Guiseley in the previous round, but there was never any danger of a repeat as they were put to the sword by Alun Armstrong’s men.

Connor Oliver and Michael Liddle had gone close in the opening 10 minutes, and the latter broke the deadlock on the quarter-hour mark.

The Spartans left-back curled a sublime free-kick beyond City keeper Aiden Stone and into the right-hand corner of his net.

It was no more than Spartans deserved after a fine start to the game.

In-form striker Dan Maguire almost LANCASTER CITY BLYTH SPARTANS 0 3

doubled their lead on the half-hour as he rolled a shot just beyond the near post, and moments later sent a similar effort wide from 12 yards.

There were chances for the hosts to get back in the game early in the second half as Ryan Winder and Tom Kilfilin both went close.

But Spartans quickly got back on top and it was third time unlucky for Maguire, who hit the post just before the hour mark.

He didn’t have to wait long to finally get his goal though as he raced on to a Sean Reid pass and finally got himself on the scoresheet. Five minutes later Jamie Holmes stretched the lead to three with a close-range finish after Reid had again been at the heart of Spartans play.

That broke the resistance of the hosts, who ended the game with nine men after defenders Craig Stanley and Paul Dugdale were dismissed for professional fouls late in the game.

So it’s six wins in a row for Spartans, who will find out their second round opponents tomorrow lunchtime.

In this form, they will be one side to be avoided.

LANCASTER CITY: Stone, Fensome, Dugldale, Williams (Jarvis), Hudson, Stanley, Russell (Bailey), Wills, Blinkhorn (Winder), Wilson, Kilifin Subs: Henry, Lonsdale BLYTH SPARTANS: Jameson, Horner, Liddle, Mullen, Buddle, J Watson, Rivers, Oliver, Maguire, Reid, Holmes Subs: Fewster, I Watson, Wrightson, Green, Nicholson