Blyth Spartans suffer midweek defeat against Pontefract Collieries

Blyth Spartans were punished for not taking their chances in West Yorkshire on Tuesday evening as two set-pieces either side of half-time handed Pontefract Collieries an important 2-1 victory.

Ewan McGowan scored for the second consecutive game for the visitors, but his header was cancelled out a minute later by Colls captain Jack Greenhough, with Connor O’Grady sealing the win early in the second period.

With little quality shown in front of goal during the opening exchanges, the game broke into life five minutes before the break when Pontefract forward James Morris forced a fingertip save out of Callum Dobson before Jack Vann hit the post with a header from the resulting corner.

Marc Nash’s side would then open the scoring in the 43rd minute as a devastating counter-attack against the run of play saw Jack Foalle’s attempt cleared off the line, only for McGowan to head the rebound into the roof of the net.

Spartans’ lead would not last long, however, with Pontefract whipping an inviting free-kick into the box which was subsequently attacked by an unchallenged Greenhough, levelling the game before half-time.

Jimmy Williams’ hosts then claimed the first goal after the restart. A Pontefract corner was flicked on to the back post where O’Grady was waiting unmarked to smash his side ahead.

From there, Spartans did look to put Pontefract under pressure, and should have capitalised when the ball was laid off to Jordan Hickey inside the 18-yard box, but his effort was blazed over the bar.

And with 10 minutes left on the clock, Blyth created their best chance of the second half - substitute Rio Joisce fired a shot towards goal which was excellently stopped by Harry Christy before Kuba Zmich headed towards goal on the rebound, only to be denied by the post. As such, a brave display ended in a disappointing loss under the lights in West Yorkshire.

Over the weekend, Spartans enjoyed a much more successful outing, beating Wythenshawe 4-0 in the FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying. A first-half flurry saw McGowan, Jordan Hickey, and Dan Lanning get themselves on the scoresheet before Joisce sealed a rampant victory after the break. The hosts would also be reduced to 10 men partway through the second period.

Marc Nash’s side have been rewarded for their success in Greater Manchester with an away trip to face Workington AFC in the next round on Saturday, September 26th.