Blyth Spartans edge out Silsden in relegation six pointer

Blyth Spartans edged out Silsden at Croft Park taking a huge step on their march to survival in the NPL East.

A second half strike from Paul Van-Zandvliet was enough to separate the sides on a blustery afternoon in Northumberland.

Blyth were without top goalscorer Jack Foalle for the clash on Easter Saturday and with Michael Fowler still on the sideline they trusted a very youthful partnership to lead the line.

The opening half lacked quality from both sides, producing very few chances however Paul Dudgeon fancied his chances from the edge of the area forcing the visiting goalkeeper to save low.

Spartans ended the half strongest but were unable to convert pressure into clearcut opportunities, missing the presence of a senior forward with a clinical edge seemed to be the decisive factor of the first 45.

Spartans started the second half as they ended the first continuing to dominate territory, a free kick was whipped towards goal by Dudgeon whose effort whizzed across the face of goal.

Spartans were rewarded for their dominance in the 79th minute through Van-Zandvliet, a scrappy goal which summed up the game was eventually poked home by the midfielder who claimed his fifth goal in a Spartans shirt.

Silsden threw everything at Spartans in the final 10 minutes after falling behind and were very nearly rewarded with an equaliser at the death only for the linesman to raise his flag and spare Spartans of despair.

A huge three points means Spartans head into Monday’s game against local rivals Blyth Town knowing a victory would almost certainly secure another season in the NPL East division.