United's penalty blow (From Redditch Advertiser)

United's penalty blow

11:38pm Tuesday 31st March 2009

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Blyth Spartans 1, Redditch United 0

By David Lawrence

SOLID defending from ten-man Blyth denied the Reds a share of the spoils from their trip to the North East.

The home side had Gary Brown sent off six minutes before the break for a two-footed tackle on Lucan Spittle but still managed to hang on for a victory that keeps Redditch teetering just above the drop zone.

The visitors should have opened the scoring inside two minutes when Owen Story ran onto an Aaron Daniels pass only to fire his shot at keeper Mark Bell.

For the hosts, Alex Gildea was to prove a handful all game and he twice went close on eight and 13 minutes.

But it was Redditch who seemed to settle into their stride as the half wore on and Ryan Beswick forced an excellent save from the Blyth keeper on 24 minutes, Bell doing well to turn his free-kick around the post.

Five minutes later and Gary Hay’s long-range effort dropped just over the crossbar while Jack Byrne sent an effort inches too high moments later.

Two minutes before the break and the woodwork came to Blyth’s rescue when a Mark Hands effort skimmed the crossbar.

But after dominating the chances, the Reds came unstuck on the stroke of half-time. Asa Charlton brought down Mark Walton inside the area and Robbie Dale slotted home the penalty.

The Blyth defence, well marshalled by Richard Pell, shut up shop in the second half as Gary Whild’s side tried to find an equaliser.

Gildea sent an effort inches wide of the Redditch upright on 48 minutes and then another over the crossbar midway through the half.

Redditch’s best opportunity to salvage a point came nine minutes from the end when substitute Carl Heggs got on the end of a Beswick cross only to send his header against the crossbar.

Reds: LEWIS 8, Spittle 7 (Heggs 77), Charlton 7, Briscoe 7, Rowe-Turner 7, Byrne 6, Hands 6, Story 7, Hay 6, Daniels 6 (Ford 73), Beswick 7. Subs (not used): Oliver, Robinson, Rose.

Referee: Mr M Dicicco 5

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