Toon’s fightback all in vain as Spartans claim Cup honours
NEWCASTLE United Under-23s suffered defeat to Blyth Spartans in their own backyard on a tough night for Elliott Dickman’s side.
In front of watching first-team boss Eddie Howe, the young Magpies suffered a nightmare start to the Northumberland Senior Cup final and were 3-0 down after just 32 minutes.
They did fightback in the second half - but by that time they had too much to do.
United’s youngsters, drubbed by Blyth in pre-season, were looking to sign off for the season in style.
Vanarama League outfit Spartans had just staved off the threat of the drop in the sixth tier and were also looking for a big night at St James’ Park beneath the lights.
It was the Croft Park side who had the first glimpse of goal after 10 minutes when Rhys Evans crossed from the right for Corey Mckeown - but his effort was deflected wide before Newcastle cleared their lines from the resultant corner at the Gallowgate End.
With 20 minutes gone, it was the non-league side who grabbed the lead after Newcastle failed to stop a right-wing cross and left Sado Djalo unmarked in the box to head home.
Three minutes later Blyth doubled their advantage with a cheeky goal from Robbie Dale.
A left-wing corner was whipped in and as Newcastle’s defence froze a second time the ball spun awkwardly past Max Thompson to make it 2-0.
Blyth were 3-0 up on 32 minutes when Dale’s corner was floated on to the head of Nathan Buddle, who powered home another first-half goal.
Shell-shocked United responded eventually with a shot on target from Jay Turner-cooke but Alex Mitchell was equal to it.
After the break Blyth dared to cause more damage but Mckeown’s effort curled wide of the target.
The Magpies pulled a goal back three minutes into the second half when Turner-cooke delicately chipped the ball over Mitchell.
Moments later former Newcastle youth team star Lewis Mcnall made a good run down the left but his shot was gathered by Thompson.
Thd Spartans brought on former Blackburn Rovers youngster Connor Thomson for goalscorer
NORTHUMBERLAND SENIOR CUP FINAL: NEWCASTLE U23S
BLYTH SPARTANS
Djalo just before the hour mark. Thomson made an instant impact when he danced around three Newcastle defenders and powered into the final third before slicing wide.
Seconds later he dropped a neat ball into Mcnall’s path with the striker cutting inside and sending an effort wide of the upright.
Dickman brought on Santiago Munoz and Joe Oliver for the closing stages with Josh Scott and Nathan Carlyon making way.
The Mexican U23 international did not take long to make an impact as he broke free in the box and sent an angled effort across the six-yard box and into the bottom corner.
Mckeown raced down the left before curling a powerful shot at Thompson with 20 minutes left but the Toon stopper pulled off a brilliant save to turn it away from danger.
Blyth threw both Dan Maguire and Jordan Hickey for the closing stages as they looked for fresh impetus.
Yet it was JJ O’donnell who could have sealed it for the non-league side when he was presented with a close-range header but he tamely headed at Thompson.
Dale slipped in Blyth legend Maguire time ticking down but he could only strike it straight at the goalkeeper at the Leazes End.
Spartans roared forward once more as Maguire found Hickey but Thompson flicked away his low effort with just four minutes of the match to go.
They held on in the closing stages but also used the ball intelligently when they needed to.