Mitchell full of praise for Cup heroes
BLYTH Spartans manager Terry Mitchell was “delighted” to see his side add a silver lining to a challenging season as it claimed the Northumberland Senior Cup on Thursday night.
The Spartans bring down the curtain on their National League North campaign with a long trip to Gloucester City this afternoon after confirming their second-tier status with a win at Brackley Town last weekend.
Another three points were racked up in Monday’s home game with Curzon Ashton and that allowed Mitchell to focus on their Senior Cup final date with Newcastle United Under-23s at St James’ Park.
First-half goals from Nathan Buddle, Robbie Dale and Sado Djalo put Mitchell’s men in control against the young Magpies - and they held off a brave second-half comeback as Jay Turner-cooke and Santiago Munoz threatened to spoil their party.
Spartans kept their cool with a disciplined performance in the closing stages to leave their manager praising his side.
He said: “It has been a long season but we are delighted to win some silverware for our supporters.
“It was brilliant to come to St James Park, to play on an unbelievable pitch and really have a go at winning this cup.
“The lads were fantastic in what they did.
“We are not quite done yet for the season but we have been able to claim the win to repay the fans for their support.
“We got right into them in the first half but we knew they would come back and have a go.
“You have to give them credit, they have some really good young players who were always going to have a bit of a go at us and we managed to see that off to win the game.
“That is our third game in six days so it was maybe a bit tough on the lads.
“However, they battled through and I am absolutely delighted for everyone at the club.”
Mitchell will check on the fitness of several of his players before finalising his plans for the season-ending visit to Meadow Park.
■■REPORTS on this weekend’s football action involving Blyth Spartans and Gateshead willl be in Monday’s Chronicle.