Blyth Spartans escape the relegation zone.
Blyth Spartans 2-0 Lincoln United
Spartans made it three wins on the bounce at Croft Park with a 2–0 victory over Lincoln United, moving the Northumberland side out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.
Paul Dudgeon fired Spartans ahead in the sixth minute after the ball fell kindly on the edge of the area. Michael Fowler sealed the victory from close range with fifteen minutes remaining.
Marc Nash’s decision to hand Dudgeon a starting role paid off, as the midfielder struck against the run of play to give his side an early advantage.
Dudgeon gave Spartans the lead in the sixth minute when the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the area, His first-time volley flew into the bottom-left corner beyond Heath Richardson – handing Blyth the perfect start with their first attack of the game.
After the opener, it was all Lincoln United. Callum Dobson was forced into an excellent reaction save from close range just minutes later to preserve Blyth’s advantage.
The Whites continued to pile on the pressure and, although the Spartans defended resolutely, they struggled to gain momentum and were sloppy in possession, allowing the visitors to pin them back for much of the first half.
Blyth nearly doubled their lead when Charlie Wood slipped Michael Fowler through on goal, but Richardson was quick off his line to narrow the angle, with Fowler’s effort finding the side netting.
Spartans improved after the break, following the introduction of Rio Joisce and a change of shape. Fowler saw an effort cleared off the line ten minutes into the second half as the hosts began to assert themselves.
Buoyed by the adjustment Blyth continued to push forward, and their pressure told in the closing stages, Wood released Jack Foalle down the right-hand side before his ball across the six-yard box was tapped home by Fowler from a yard out.
After a difficult first half, Spartans reaped the rewards of their improved second-half display to secure a third consecutive home win and climb out of the bottom four. Attention now turns to Tuesday night, when they welcome in-form Pontefract Collieries to Croft Park.
