Buddle wants more from Blyth Town after narrow win at Spartans
Blyth Town claimed a 2-1 win at Blyth Spartans as the two clubs met in league competition for the first time.
Nathan Buddle insisted the win was all that mattered as Blyth Town claimed a narrow 2-1 victory at Blyth Spartans as the local rivals met for the first time in league competition.
Both sides are sitting deep in the Northern Premier League East Division relegation zone after struggling to find form and momentum during the first half of the campaign - but Town’s hard-earned win at Croft Park means Spartans now sit at the foot of the table.
After a tight and edgy opening 25 minutes, Town took the lead as Adam Johnson beat Spartans keeper Callum Dobson to round off a neat move in clinical fashion. Former Spartans defender Buddle came back to haunt his old club as he headed home from a Cameron Gascoigne corner before the hour-mark and the visitors held on the secure the win despite Michael Fowler giving some hope to the home faithful when he converted from the penalty spot.
Rather than focusing on his decisive goal against his old club, Buddle stressed the importance of three points that have boosted his side’s hopes of extending their step four stay beyond a solitary season.
He told The Gazette: “We knew coming into the game it was about the three points because of the predicament both clubs are in at the moment. We knew it wasn’t going to be pretty and apart from our first goal it was a bit of a cagey affair. It added to the occasion because it’s a derby game but the most important thing was getting the three points and we’ve done that.
“It’s the second time I’ve come back here and scored and I’m not doing it intentionally but when I come here with any club I am going to do my best for them. I’m just pleased to get the three points for us and if it means me getting the decisive goal, it is what it is.”
Performances
Next up for Town is a Northumberland Senior Cup tie at Heaton Stannington on Tuesday night before they focus their attention on a home clash with Brighouse Town on Saturday week. Buddle has stressed the need for his side to take confidence from their Croft Park win and lay the foundations for a push towards safety.
He said: “We had a frustrating December with the first couple of games call off but we have been putting in some decent performances. Obviously, Hallam was really disappointing, particularly in the second half but apart from that, we have done alright. We are in and around it. We did ok at Dunston in the second half and today we have come away with a big three points but we have to kick on from this if we want to stay in the division.”
Blyth Spartans: Dobson, Kinniburgh, Summerly, Anderson, Vaulks, Wood, Foalle, Dudgeon, Fowler, Van Zandvliet, Millington Subs: Chapman, Downey, Simpson, Joisce, Maw
Blyth Town: Hunter, Fil, Fogarty, Gibson, Fell, Buddle, Giraud, Gascoigne, Potts, Franklin, Johnson Subs: Richardson, De Jesus, Atkinson, Sawyer, Taylor