Blyth Spartans 1-5 Brackley Town Saturday 20th April 2024

Brackley extended the unbeaten run to twelve games with a powerful display at Blyth Spartans who suffered a fifth successive defeat and were relegated. A blistering first half saw Saints four goals ahead as Morgan Roberts and Danny Newton each bagged a brace. In a more even second half as Blyth never gave up the fight Dan Turner grabbed a fifth to send Saints on the long homeward journey with third place secure and with a play-off semi-final booked.

“We came out and started fast and the game was won at half-time really,” Gavin Cowan said. “The concentration levels were through the roof which is what was needed in what we knew would be a tough second half and this was good preparation for the semi-final match.”
Blyth keeper Alex Mitchell was called into action to save well from Gaz Dean’s header before the visitors went ahead on 8 minutes, Roberts’ volley finding the net from Newton’s pass. Roberts doubled his tally on 11 minutes as Connor Hall found Roberts who finished well.
Top scorer Newton headed in the third unopposed on 25 minutes and added his second goal of the game and 18th league goal of the season on 31 minutes from Riccardo Calder’s cross. Tyler Lyttle was close to adding a fifth before the break.

Blyth pulled on back on the hour as Nicky Deverdics converted a penalty after Luke James was brought down but on 76 minutes substitute Dan Turner restored the four goal advantage firing high into the net at the far post. Turner almost got his second of the game, rounding the keeper only to see his shot on goal blocked.

“The supporters are incredible with so many making the monstrous effort of getting here to support the team, to say we are appreciative understates it,” Cowan added. “And we know there are others who just weren’t able to make it but will be there next Sunday. To have so many fans supporting us is great so a big than you from all of us.”

Brackley Town: Lewis, Carline, Calder, Dean, Lilly (Gudger 79), Lyttle, Roberts (Armson 46), Bates, O’Sullivan, Newton, Hall (Turner 75). Subs unused: Matwasa, Cross.

Blyth Spartans: Mitchell, Evans, Dawson, Bodenham, Hickey, Hooper, Forbes, Deverdics, James, McGowan, Hasani (Thompson 67). Subs unused: Aitken, Gordon, Shaw, Hogan.

Referee: Richard Holmes Assistants: Sam Bayley and Stephen Birkett
Attendance: 1416