The proverbial game of two halves!
After GR made ten changes, I have to confess I thought that was too many. The good run we have had has been based on a settled side. I accept it is an opportunity to blood a few fringe or stand by players, but to change virtually everyone? Anyway it seems the cool V-necked one knew what he was doing!
HOWEVER, before that it all seemed to be going wrong. Blyth were much the better side in the first half and deservedly went into the break 2 up with a brace from Dale. (Actually could have been 3 if Doyle hadn’t pulled off a good save just on the break).
So the half time talk needed to be conducted, was there anything thrown? Were players pinned to the dressing room wall as GR suggested would happen if we were losing! No I imagine that he quietly and carefully explained EXACTLY what the side needed to do to get back into the game. He showed total faith in the side he picked, by not making a sub at half time.
Blyth were then blown away with a six minute spell that showed the true difference between the two clubs. The 3 goals were scored by Novak and a pair from Thomas. These goals not only put the Blues ahead for the first time in the game, but also seem to suck all of Blyth Spartan’s strength from them. From that moment, Blues controlled the game. There were one or two chances, but they didn’t look like scoring to get a replay.
So Blues progress to the 4th round, however it was NOT straight forward and Blyth deserve a huge amount of credit for the way they played, and the club and their fans should be proud of their performance today.
Hopefully we will get a home draw against a big club next round.
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