Stourbridge 0, Blyth Spartans 3

THE Glassboys were well beaten by a better Blyth Spartans side who should have won by a wider margin, writes Nick Pullen.

Spartans set the tone from the word go when top marksman Rob Dale got behind full back Luke Connelly and then squared the ball across an open goal, but nobody could get a touch on the ball.

It was an early let-off for Stourbridge, who tried to hit back.

Leon Broadhurst delivered a wicked inswinging corner on nine minutes which finished up the wrong side of the post.

Then new signing from Rushall Olympic Chris Lait put Kayelden Brown in the clear, but Spartans goalkeeper Nick Thompson was alert to the danger and saved bravely at Brown's feet.

Spartans steadily assumed control of midfield and should have taken the lead on 14 minutes when Ryan Hutchinson sent striker Danny Maguire racing through when he was brought down by Glassboys goalkeeper Dean Coleman and referee Mark Howes awarded a penalty.

However Dale's spot kick was ballooned so high, it finished up closer to the tea bar than the net.

It was only a stay of execution for Gary Hackett's men as Spartans duly opened their account on 22 minutes.

A moment of pure quality from Steve Turnbull saw him curl a free kick around the Stourbridge defensive wall and into the net with Coleman rooted at the opposite post.

It could have been worse, but the dangerous Jarrett Rivers rammed a fierce shot straight at Coleman on the half hour mark and then on the stroke of half time, Maguire, who was proving a constant handful, tried to lob a stranded Coleman, but the ball landed the wrong side of the crossbar.

Maguire then had a goal ruled out for offside on 49 minutes, but Spartans didn't have to wait long for a second, Dale delivering a splendid crossfield pass to set up Rivers to rifle home past Coleman at the near post on 52 minutes.

That strike effectively sealed the result and Spartans should have added a third moments later when Michael Richardson missed a sitter in front of goal.

Stourbridge could have snatched a goal back on 71 minutes from a well worked free kick routine but Junior Smikle's shot was cleared off a crowded goal line by Matt Wade.

Stourbridge had looked at their most dangerous from Broadhurst's dead ball delivery, so it was something of a surprise when he was replaced moments later by Jordan Fitzpatrick.

But there was no stopping Spartans who then added a third goal on 81 minutes when substitute striker Danny Hawkins was put in the clear by Richardson to fire past Coleman.

Hawkins could have netted a second in stoppage when he again found himself clear in front of goal, but this time he was denied by an excellent Coleman save.

It now means Stourbridge have gone eight games without a win and they will be desperate to buck the trend on Tuesday night when they entertain relegation threatened Ramsbottom United at Amblecote.

Stourbridge: Coleman; Smikle, Canavan, Williams, Richards ( Morgan-Parker 58), Miles, Connelly, Broadhurst (Fitzpatrick 72),Benbow, Lait (Quaynor 72), Brown. Subs not used: Hales, Wint.

Blyth Spartans: Thomson, Nicholson, Mullen, Hutchinson (Hooks 82), Parker (Watson 70), Turnbull, Rivers, Richardson, MaGuire (Hawkins 68), Wade, Dale. Subs not used: Wearmouth, Lynch.

Referee: Mark Howes.

Attendance: 384