Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — South Shields 8th with 74 points, Blyth Spartans 21st with 50, 24 apart. Scoring rates set the scale: Blyth Spartans 1.43 scored and 1.78 conceded per game, South Shields 1.72 and 1.15, with the league averaging 1.34.
Defeat had followed defeat for South Shields — four in succession. From the last five rounds, Blyth Spartans held 7 points of 15 and South Shields 1.
The venue was Croft Park, with room for 4,435 spectators. On the scoreboard, it was 1-1 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 2-1.
Goal scorers
Blyth Spartans: Finn Cousin-Dawson (28'), Jonathan Hooper (90') · South Shields: Paul Blackett (5')
Key stats
Possession: Blyth Spartans 55% · South Shields 45% · Total shots: 11-8 · On target: 6-2 · Corners: 4-3