Saturday 7th August 2004 - Blyth Spartans 3 Carlisle United 0

Blyth, played host to pre-season Conference favourites Carlisle United on a very hot August afternoon. Paul Baker again intorduced a few new faces with Steve Harrison and Andy Armstrong making their first starts fro Blyth at Croft Park and Mike Sheeran (ex Darlington and Whitby) starting up front with Steve Preen. The Carlise side was mainly made up of youth players, along with first teamers Paul Arnison, Will McDonagh, Adam Rundle and Lee Hamilton.

  
 
 

Blyth started the brighter of the 2 sides and had a few efforts blocked by the Carlise defence. Gareth Williams then delivered a perfect free-kick into the penalyth area and Steve Preen just failed to connect, which would have put Blyth ahead.

 
 
 


Blyth made the breakthrough on 15 minutes when Sheeran lifted the ball over the goalkeeper after a scarmble in the penalty area. The Carlisle goalkeeper was then forced to make 2 good saves, one down low from a Wayne Phillips effort and then turning the ball out for a corner after Steve Preen crashed a thunderous shot from outside the area.

  
 
 

Blyth continued to press the Carlisle defence and made it 2-0 on 30 minutes with a rare headed goal from Gareth Williams. On 35 minutes it was 3-0 after a brilliant build up, Sheeran flicked the ball through to Graydon to score.

  
 
 
The second half astarted with Carlise trying to get back into the game, however a good svae from Craig Turns and a miss by Rundle kept Blyth 3-0 up. Withthe heat taking effect both sides made changes, but Blyth continued to press and had good chances from Graydon, Preen, Crutwell and Leeson.  
   
Overall a much better display from Blyth and hopefully a good morale booster for the coming season.  
     

Blyth Team:

Turns, Harrison, Atkinson, Leeson, Armstrong, Graydon, Williams, McAlindon, Preen, Sheeran, Phillips

Subs (all used): Neil, Summers, Barrett, Telfer, Crutwell, Booth,

 
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