Blyth FC vs Willington Quay Saints
2 - 1
12 May 2018 · Northern Football Alliance League sponsored by The Reeves Group<br>Reeves Independant 1st Division
Away league match played on 12 May 2018.
Kicked off at 2:30 PM
2-1
vs Blyth FC
Away league match
The saints went down to a fifth straight defeat as Blyth FC who on the other end of form table won for the fifth consecutive league game in a close encounter at Cowpen Park.
With the squad down to the bare bones already the Quay lost 2 more players in the warm up as Dale Johnson and Gareth Pugh were struck down by injury, Ryan Ferrier struggling with a back injury himself was promoted to the starting line up.
Peter Lowery was back in goal replacing the injured Ellis Burns and he produced a smart save early on as he denied a powerful strike from the Blyth winger at his near post
Blyth who hadn't conceded a goal for four games were tested by the pace of Joe Connor early on and his cross found Andy Breheny who sent a curling shot at goal that was comfortably dealt with by Blyth keeper Taylor Blaney.
The home side took the lead in the 9th minute as striker Sam Johnson peeled away from his marker to head home an inswinging corner another goal conceded at a set piece for the Quay a recurring theme of late.
Blyth almost doubled their lead with a fluke goal as a left wing cross eluded everybody before crashing against the crossbar and out to safety.
The Saints levelled on the half hour mark with Joe Connor grabbing his 24th goal of the season as he reacted quickest to a loose ball after Dan Coleman's shot had been well saved by Blaney to smash the ball home from 6 yards out.
Lowery then kept the Quay level at the break with another good save at his near post as Blyth looked to regain there lead.
Blyth only had to wait 10 minutes after the break to go ahead as good build up play around the box saw the ball fall into the path of Ryan Priest who fired home leaving Lowery no chance.
Youngster Findlay Rippin headed a glorious chance wide for the Saints after a tremendous ball in from the left from Karl Charlton who then missed a free header from 6 yards out as the visitors looked for an equalizer.
Those hopes were dashed with twenty minutes to go as Connor was forced off with a hamstring injury and with no fit subs at pitchside the Quay had to play ten minutes with ten men until veteran Mark Henderson arrived to play the remainder of the game.
Blyth should of had the game wrapped up when a left wing cross was clipped to the back post their substitute striker somehow lashed the ball over with the open goal gaping a huge let off for the Quay
He almost made an immediate impact but his powerful drive was bravely blocked by a Blyth defender who was left writhing in agony after taking the full force of the shot in the groin region.
Blyth were denied a third by Lowery who saved well with his feet after the Quay had pushed players forward leaving gaps at the back the final whistle went shortly after