Blyth Spartans 3-2 Workington Reds

Workington went down at Blyth after a heartening first-half effort had put them ahead at the break.

But two early second-half goals swung the game Spartans’ way before Scott Allison headed an equaliser.

Then, Jason Maguire’s diving header ten minutes from the end gave him his hat-trick and earned Blyth the win.

Although most of the local Northern League matches had been called-off because of frozen pitches, Blyth’s Croft Park was in perfect condition.

The Reds were returning to the scene of their finest hour last season when they won 4-3 in the play-off semi-final.

Workington had to make changes after Elliot Newby was recalled by Barrow and Joe McGee ruled-out with a foot injury.

It meant Dave Symington and Anthony Wright came back into the starting line-up as the Reds management trio tweaked the formation.

Blyth, fifth in the table, came into the game after two recent defeats against Altrincham in the FA Trophy and to Whitby in the league.

Workington almost got off to a flying start when James Earl put a long ball forward for Scott Allison.

He held off one challenge, went across the defenders and hit a low shot inches past the post.

Blyth responded with a free-kick from Stephen Turnbull, which was headed over under pressure by Kyle May. Aaran Taylor held the next corner cleanly under pressure.

Taylor was brought into action almost immediately when he went down to hold onto a shot from Robbie Dale.

Blyth were happy to play the ball around at the back but Workington were keeping them under pressure so they never looked completely comfortable.

Workington had two claims for penalties in quick succession but didn't even earn a free-kick off the referee.

Blyth had their best moment so far after 22 minutes when Jarrett Rivers cut in from the right, along the byline and eventually a low cross was blocked. It fell to Dale but Taylor saved well on his line.

Then, Luke Armstrong was lined-up for a shot eight yards out but Conor Tinnion made a great sliding tackle.

That sparked a great spell of Workington pressure. Earl tried his luck from 25 yards and Paul Woolston had to make an acrobatic save to turn it over the bar.

Then Earl hit the bar and, when the rebound fell to Tinnion, his shot was blocked on the line.

Workington were playing some impressive football and they deservedly went ahead on 36 minutes.

Allison broke down the middle and, although crowded out, managed to find Tinnion in support. He couldn’t find room for a shot but set up Rob Wilson, who scored with a well-placed shot from just inside the area.

Armstrong had the first shot of the second half but Taylor went down to save easily.

But on 51 minutes, Blyth were level. A free-kick was headed back across goal by Dale and Daniel Maguire slid in the equaliser.

Four minutes later Blyth were in front. Dale’s long cross field ball was allowed to run by Gari Rowntree and Rivers got in to tee-up Maguire, who grabbed his second.

Workington finally got going and Earl tried his luck from distance but Woolston went down to save.

Then, Simpson put in a dangerous cross which seemed to have deceived Woolston but dropped on the roof of the night.

Blyth came back and a sweeping move ended with Armstrong hitting a first-time shot, which Taylor got down to save.

Workington had finished the first half on top and playing well but they appeared to have been knocked out of their stride by the two quick goals.

But on 68 minutes Reds were level. A cross by Symington was headed on by Tinnion and Allison was there to head home.

A good cross from Symington soon afterwards beat everyone and, as Tinnion arrived late to fire at goal, his shot was blocked at the expense of a corner.

Both teams were now going for it and there looked to be at least one more goal left in the game.

There was danger for Workington when hat-trick seeking Maguire stretched to reach a Rivers cross but headed wide.

But Maguire did get his reble with a diving header on 80 minutes. He got on the end of a Dale cross to flash it beyond Taylor into the bottom corner.

Rowntree was booked after 86 minutes with a badly timed tackle on Rivers as time was running out for the Reds.

Blyth were in no hurry when they won a corner but Reds did get the ball and, when they broke down the right, a fierce shot from Simpson was blocked by a defender.

Dale broke away down the left and was finally brought down by the pursuing Calvert who was shown a yellow card.

It was virtually the last action of the game as a promising early effort from the Reds failed to produce anything from the game.

Blyth: Woolston, Atkinson. Liddle, Mullen (Reid 74), Hutchinson, Pell, River, Turnbull, Maguire, Armstrong (Pattinson 74), Dale. Subs – (not used) Bell, Cartwright, McHugh.

Workington: Taylor, Simpson, Rowntree, May, Calvert, Wright, Symington, Earl (Ryan 74), Allison, Wilson, Tinnion. Subs – (not used) Waterston, Hebson, Douglas, Henderson.

Referee: Helen Conley

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