Spartans’ delight at silver lining to tough season
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, writes MARK CARRUTHERS.
Spartans will 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.
First-half goals from Nathan Buddle, Robbie Dale and Sado Djalo put Mitchell’s men in control against the young Magpies.
They then held off a brave secondhalf 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 to praise his side as it prepared to end their campaign with the visit to Gloucester.
After the game, Mitchell told The Journal: “It’s been a long season but we are absolutely delighted to win some silverware for our supporters.
“It’s been 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 aren’t 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 firsthalf but we knew they would come back and have a go.
“You have to give them credit, they have some 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 was our third game in six days so it was maybe a bit tough on the lads but they battled through. 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.
■ SPENNYMOOR Town will hope to secure a play-off place this afternoon – although they need a number of results to fall in their favour.
First and foremost, the Moors will need to take all three points in their home game with Chorley.
However, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men also need Kettering Town and Boston United to fall to defeats in their respective games at Curzon Ashton and Farsley Celtic and Alfreton Town to fail to take maximum points from their home game with Guiseley.
■ DARLINGTON conclude their season with a visit to Kidderminster Harriers, the Quakers having completed their first summer signing – Whitby Town’s highly-rated striker Jacob Hazel.