SATURDAY 3rd OCTOBER 2009

BLYTH TOWN 2-2 CARLISLE CITY

As the bus doors opened at the Blyth ground, it was evident that a gale-force wind
was blowing straight across the field, and the conditions were to rule for most of the
afternoon. It emerged that the Blyth officials were so concerned about the conditions
that they had made a morning call to the match referee, but it was decided that the
game should go ahead. City started with Steven Bell up front, in place of the
holidaying Scott Priest. Steven Rooke also returned to the side, with Craig Cherry
moving further forward and Jamie Heath starting from the substitutes’ bench.

It was inevitable that the early stages of the game were scrappy as both sides tried to
adapt to the windy conditions. In the 7th minute, Holliday fouled Blyth’s Heath, and a
cracking 25-yard strike from Waugh was parried away by Bradley, with Yallop
lashing the ball clear for a corner. Gladwin’s right-wing kick was headed to safety by
Cherry. City threatened for the first time as Kilgour’s cross from the left was just too
strong for Holliday.

In the 10th minute, Blyth won a corner on their left and, from this wing, corners were
virtually impossible as the ball held up in the teeth of the gale. Two minutes later, the
home side won two corners in quick succession, with both kicks taken by Gladwin.
Hill managed to clear the second cross to safety. After 14 minutes, a fine cross from
Kilgour was headed wide by Holliday.

Blyth went ahead in the 17th minute when Gladwin’s right-wing cross eluded the City
defence and was finished by Robinson at the back post. After 22 minutes, Blaylock’s
high shot from outside the Blyth area finished on top of the net. Blyth pressed again
as Hopwood won a corner off Foster. Gladwin’s kick was awkward for Bradley and
the City keeper did well to tip the ball behind for another corner. Waugh latched onto
the next flag-kick, but his header was wide.

In the 25th minute, a foul on Kilgour gave City a free-kick five yards outside the Blyth
penalty box. Taken by Armstrong, the shot was on target but saved easily by Earle.
After 27 minutes, City drew level as Rooke’s right-wing free-kick was partially
cleared by the Blyth defence but Kilgour whipped in a cross from the left and Bell
beat his marker to prod the ball home from close range. It was the City striker’s fifth
goal in all competitions so far this season.

In the 32nd minute, a promising Blyth attack was thwarted by referee Harbertson’s
whistle as Robinson’s foot was high in a challenge with Hill. In the next minute,
Cherry won a corner for City, and Rooke’s kick was fumbled by Earle, but the ball
was eventually cleared. Foster had to be alert to stop a break from Beresford and, in
the 39th minute, Gladwin’s free-kick gathered pace on the wind and proved too strong
even for the height of Waugh.

After 42 minutes, a Blyth free-kick 35 yards out looked threatening as the ball broke
loose in the City box, but Bradley raced from his line to collect ahead of Robinson.

HALF-TIME- BLYTH TOWN 1-1 CITY

During the interval, league chairman George Dobbins walked onto the field for a chat
with the match officials, possibly to discuss the conditions in which the match was
being played. Two minutes into the second period, Armstrong was fouled in midfield
and the City man took the free-kick himself, only to watch the wind drag his cross
wide of target. In the 50th minute, Waugh was forced to head behind for a City corner.
Rooke was faced with the challenge of crossing the ball from the “impossible” wing,
and his delivery travelled in a perfect arc as it ended up ten yards behind the goal.

City had started the half brightly and Blaylock’s cross had to be cleared by Waugh. In
the 54th minute, another Armstrong free-kick was hit too hard on the wind. More and
more of the play was broken up as the ball disappeared on numerous occasions into
the club car park, being frantically pursued by players.

City did create a good chance to take the lead as Rooke’s long throw from the right
was allowed to bounce by the Blyth defence and Yallop’s header was just over the
bar. In the 57th minute, Holliday and Cherry combined to win a corner off Waugh.
Rooke’s flag-kick was hit too hard and flew across the penalty box. An injury to Hill
stopped the game for a couple of minutes, with the City defender managing to
continue, but still in discomfort. Only seconds later, Armstrong was down for
treatment as he was injured in a tackle.

Cherry played a long ball forward, looking for Bell, but Earle was able to collect.
However, the referee spotted a late challenge on Cherry and a free-kick was awarded.
Foster’s cross was headed clear by Iveson. In the 66th minute, Hill decided he could
no longer play on and he was replaced by Major.

Blyth won a free-kick as Armstrong fouled Beresford 25 yards from the City goal, but
Bradley was able to claim the cross. In the 74th minute, Holliday linked with Major
and Waugh did well to clear. After 75 minutes, there were three substitutions made at
the same time, as Blyth brought on M. Robinson and Rogerson with City bringing on
Amato, in place of Bell.

Amato was soon involved in the action as he won a corner for his side, off Iveson. In
an attempt to thwart the conditions, the kick was taken short, but the ball was run out
of play. After 80 minutes, a decent City move involving Kilgour and Blaylock ended
with Rooke’s right-wing cross clearing the crossbar. In the 82nd minute, Blyth’s
Barnes became the first player to be cautioned despite his side being awarded the free-
kick. The linesman’s flag then drew the referee’s attention, and words were
exchanged with the City bench.

After 84 minutes, City went 2-1 ahead when Amato’s left-wing cross was headed
clear but dropped to Major just outside the area, and the City substitute controlled his
volley perfectly to shoot past Earle- a fine goal, especially given the horrendous
conditions. Blyth wasted an immediate chance to equalise as Hopwood fired over
from a good position.

In the 87th minute, Yallop, Holliday and Amato linked well but Earle was able to take
the cross. Major then pursued a ball bouncing towards the Blyth area, only to be
beaten to it by Earle. The Blyth keeper took exception to Major’s challenge and
brushed chests with the City substitute. Referee Harbertson consulted his linesman
before booking Major, but not Earle, in a hugely contentious decision.

As the game entered the 90th minute, a high ball was swung into the City box and
Yallop seemed to be clambering all over a Blyth striker, with the referee awarding a
penalty. Holliday was booked for protesting about the decision but Waugh stepped
forward to hit his penalty straight down the middle, and past the diving Bradley. As
the ball was retrieved from the back of the net, mayhem ensued as players from both
sides piled into a melee. Once order was restored, the referee was faced with the
unenviable task of identifying culprits and he somehow decided to book Kilgour and
Amato for City, as well as Waugh for Blyth.

The yellow cards were not over as Armstrong was then cautioned for a foul on M.
Robinson, with the free-kick coming to nothing.

City will be frustrated to lose two points so late in the game but, in truth, the wind was
the only winner as the ball spent more time in the car park than on the field. In
hindsight, the game probably should never have taken place but the officials were
faced with a difficult decision once the City side had arrived at the ground.

TEAMS- BLYTH- Earle, Mitchell, Andrews, Iveson, Waugh, Miller, Gladwin,

Hopwood, C. Robinson, Beresford, Heath. SUBS- M. Robinson, Rogerson, Barnes,
Dobson.
CITY- Bradley, Rooke, Yallop, Foster, Hill, Kilgour, Holliday, Armstrong, Cherry,
Blaylock, Bell. SUBS- Major, Amato, Heath, Burton.

REFEREE- J. Harbertson

BOOKINGS- Barnes, Waugh (Blyth), Major, Holliday, Kilgour, Amato, Armstrong

(City)

MAN OF THE MATCH- Waugh (Blyth), Kilgour (City)