Report: Harriers win well at Blyth

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TWO second half goals were enough to give Harriers a fine 2-1 win at Blyth Spartans on Saturday.

Ryan Croasdale and Emmanuel Sonupé both hit superb strikes in the second half to put Harriers in firm command.

Though Sean Reid did pull one back late on for the hosts, the troops held on to take all three points back to Worcestershire. That sealed a fine second half performance from Harriers, coming after the home side had probably just edged the first.

Blyth’s Dale and Mullen had half chances within the first ten minutes or so, the first Harriers opening coming from Elton Ngwatala as he saw a shot well blocked.

Buddle planted a good header over as Blyth grew into the game, Hopson and Wrightson also going close before, with the best chance of the half, Dale cut inside on 39 minutes before supplying Hopson who hit over.

While Mullen swerved a shot off target just after the restart, the visitors were more commanding in the second period. They started to take control around the hour mark and took the lead on 64 minutes as Ironside’s driving, unrelenting run was rewarded once Croasdale met his low cross with an accurate finish past Jameson into the bottom corner.

Bylth never really recovered from that – though they should have done better a few minutes after the opener as Wrightson fired straight at Hall.

Two minutes later, a superb solo breakaway saw Sonupé steal the ball on the centre circle, drive the length of the Blyth half before, at an angle, dipping the ball beyond Jameson and into the net.

Harriers did a superb job of soaking up pressure as Blyth tried to find a way back into the game. In the end, Reid’s goal from a corner with just three minutes left of normal time was nothing more than a consolation as a dogged reds’ side saw the remaining minutes out.

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