| 2009/2010 Season. Match no. 13. Blue Square North match no. 12
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
Blyth Spartans 2, Alfreton Town 0
Match pics album by Dave Purseglove to follow here
ALFRETON Town slipped to a second successive defeat in the Blue Square North when they visited wind-lashed Croft Park on Saturday.
It is the first time the Reds have suffered back to back losses in the league under Nicky Law since April 2008, but, for the third time in four seasons, they had to endure the long trek back from Blyth having lost without scoring.
And Alfreton's search for a first ever win in the league at Croft Park has now been extended to eight games.
The scoreline indicates that the hosts may have won with a degree of comfort, but they were no great shakes as both teams struggled in the atrocious and often farcical conditions.
The Northumbrians only edged the contest through a defensive lapse and a wonder strike while Alfreton reserved their best football for the closing stages when it was all too late.
The Reds introduced new loan signing Mark Dudley from Derby County at left back with skipper Kyle McFadzean occupying the central defender's role vacated by the injured Richard Pell, who was unable to line up against his former club.
Dudley's 11th minute cross from the left just evaded intended target Liam Hearn, with Paul Clayton latching on to it at the back post but unable to direct a shot at goal.
Three minutes later, Anthony Howell's hooked shot flew over from Dominic Roma's delivery, but out of the blue on 20 minutes Spartans drew first blood.
The goal stemmed from Blyth player-manager Mick Tait's run down the right, Howell appearing to intercept and pass square to Aden Flint who completely missed his clearance, allowing the alert Robbie Dale to nip in and rifle a low drive beyond Craig Dootson.
Jordan Hall then unleashed a drive in the 28th minute that struck Clayton and rebounded to safety after good approach work by Anton Brown.
Five minutes later, a mesmerising run from Hearn petered out with Stephen Harrison's clearance, and two minutes after that John Brackstone just managed to head clear as Hall's deep cross swirled in the wind and almost reached Andy Todd.
Three minutes into the second half, Flint's back header was hacked upfield by Dootson, but the ball drifted out to the wing where Dale thumped it speculatively first-time from the half-way line and very nearly succeeded in scoring.
With 58 minutes gone McFadzean's back header held up badly in the wind but Dootson managed to scurry out and clear as Paul Brayson homed in.
A minute later the referee pointed to the spot after Gareth Williams had sent Clayton sprawling, but when he noticed an offside flag raised the official was forced to rescind his decision.
Blyth doubled their advantage on 62 min utes after Brayson's shot had been partially cleared, Dale again striking the ball on the volley to beat Dootson from a tight angle.
The Reds keeper then had to stretch to save from Brayson and appeared to injure his shoulder but continued after treatment, while at the other end home keeper Mark Bell blocked Todd's close-range effort on 71 minutes.
Howell then had a shot cleared off the line from a 78th minute Ian Ross corner, then then minutes later Hearn and Ross combined to set up Brown's header that was also saved by Bell.
Five minutes from time Josh Law's cross was deflected by Darren Craddock and tipped over the bar by the keeper, then from the corner Roma's header was cleared off the line by Williams.
Mattie Burke's 90th minute cross from the left flashed across the face of goal with no takers, then in added time, Ross's ball into the box was headed over by Roma.
Blyth Spartans: Mark Bell, Stephen Harrison, John Brackstone, Michael Tait, Gareth Williams, Darren Craddock, Chris McCabe, Adrian Webster, Paul Brayson (John Alexander 82), Ian Graham, Robbie Dale.
Substitutes not used: Simon Todd, Josh Gillies, Kenny Boyle, Craig Turns.
Alfreton Town: Craig Dootson, Dominic Roma, Mark Dudley, Aden Flint, Kyle McFadzean, Andy Todd (Mattie Burke 77), Jordan Hall (Ian Ross 62), Anton Brown, Paul Clayton (Josh Law 62), Liam Hearn, Anthony Howell.
Subs not used: Paddy Gamble, Matt Wilson.
Referee: M Dicicco of Middlesbrough.
Attendance: 462.
Goals: Blyth Spartans - Robbie Dale (20 and 62).
Bookings: Blyth Spartans - John Brackstone (39, foul on Anton Brown). Alfreton Town - Anthony Howell (52, foul on Stephen Harrison). Anton Brown - (64, dissent).
Reds man of the match: Anton Brown.
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