Blyth Spartans 0 Telford United 1 - Report
Blyth Spartans take their name from the famous warriors who won the battle of Thermopylae against the odds, but it was the Bucks who took a notable victory and a huge stride towards safety in the National League North.
Bucks manager Rob Edwards made four team changes, reverting back to the side that defeated Leamington last Thursday, recalling Jordan Lussey, Henry Cowans, Kane Richards and Marcus Dinanga.
The home team were on a run of six consecutive defeats going into the game, and just three wins in their last 12 league matches.
The Bucks were positive from the outset, and they controlled the first 15 minutes, without really working Pete Jameson in the Spartans goal.
The hosts looked hurried and a little anxious in possession, but they began to get back into the game.
Connor Johnson was booked for a shirt-pull on the lively Adam Wrightson on 15 minutes, putting the right-back on a tightrope for the rest of the game.
It was slightly against the run of play that the Bucks took the lead on 27 minutes, and it was Marcus Dinanga who put them ahead.
The in-form striker controlled a ball played to the right of the area and knocked the ball over the head of home defender Nathan Buddle, outsmarting and outpacing him to get to the dropping ball and toe-poke it past the advancing Jameson, and into the far corner.
Jarrett Rivers went closest for Blyth with a snap-shot from the edge of the box, whilst Henry Cowans struck a fizzing low shot wide of the left post after Blyth half-cleared Lussey’s cross.
Blyth manager Alun Armstrong clearly laid it on the line for his side at the break, and they responded with a strong second-half performance; however, the Bucks held firm, and should have extended their advantage to soothe their fans’ nerves.
Elliot Newby missed a great one-on-one chance when put through against Jameson as Blyth over-committed, the keeper saving with his feet.
Kane Richards, who partnered Dinanga and caused problems for Blyth all night, should have made it safe too, but after a defensive slip he couldn’t beat the onrushing Jameson, who saved with his feet.
Blyth then began to apply more pressure, using the width provided by Wrightson and Jarrett Rivers; Mullen brought a good low save from Ben Wilson, then Blyth veteran Robbie Dale sliced a shot wide after the Bucks were stretched, giving him too much space.
The Bucks introduced fresh legs, changed their shape and survived a nervous four minutes of added time before celebrating a hard-fought victory. A win against Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday will now surely seal their status for another season.
FULL TIME: Blyth Spartans 0 AFC Telford United 1
Bucks: Wilson, White, Johnson, Smith, Sutton (c), Deeney, Lussey, Cowans, Richards (Morgan-Smith 73), Dinanga (Bignot 77), Giles (Newby 55).
Scorers: Dinanga (27)
Unused subs: Singh, Marsden.
Spartans: Jameson, Cartwright (Laidler 80), Liddle, Mullen, Buddle, Atkinson, Rivers, Reid, Wrightson, Hopson (Maguire), Dale (c).
Unused subs: Watson, McTiernan, McDonald.
Referee: Adam Herczeg
Assistants: Mark Ryan, Shaun Hudson.
Attendance: 486
