JJ’s stunning match-winner a cause for celebration all around

BLYTH Spartans manager Terry Mitchell hailed match-winner JJ O’Donnell after his stunning overhead kick gave his side a narrow win at title-chasing Brackley Town.

Mitchell’s men battled their way to all three points to eradicate any concerns over relegation and ensure they will spend next season in the National League North.

O’Donnell’s effort caused as much of a celebration at former club Gateshead as it did in the away end of St James Park on Saturday afternoon as the goal meant the Heed only need one point to secure a return to non league’s top tier.

But Mitchell insisted O’Donnell’s main priority was getting a win to aid his current club, rather than his former employers.

He told the Chronicle: “It was fantastic, absolutely fantastic and the lads were magnificent.

“Everyone of them were fantastic and it was a great day for the supporters to see us secure our status.

“JJ has had a fantastic season and he did it first and foremost for Blyth Spartans. He has an affinity with Gateshead, of course he does, but he loves being at Spartans and he did that for our club and our supporters first and foremost.”

Spartans will now round off their home league fixtures for the season when Curzon Ashton visit Croft Park today after switching their focus to Thursday night’s Northumberland Senior Cup Final against Newcastle United Under-23s.

Spennymoor Town kept alive their hopes of snatching a play-off place with a narrow home win against

Hereford.

Jordan Thewlis grabbed the only goal of the game as the Moors claimed a win that puts them three places and two points shy of the play-off spots ahead of today’s visit to bottom of the table Guiseley.

Darlington’s play-off ambitions were brought to an end by a goalless draw at Bradford Park Avenue.

Alun Armstrong’s men will hope to complete their home fixtures for the season with a win when Farsley Celtic head to Blackwell Meadows today.