Goals:
1-0: Franks (32, header from close range from an Austin cross)
1-1: Turnbull (56, sublime curling 25-yard free-kick)
1-2: Rivers (90, ran at the defence who backed off and he finished low)
Bookings: None
Referee: Andy Madley (Osset): Could have booked Lanzoni first half, relied on an assistant for help with the goal that wasn’t 5
Attendance: 3,735 (1,111 Blyth)
Entertainment: PPPP
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):
5 Flinders: He’s had busier games, but could do absolutely nothing about the leveller;
4 Austin: Shifted to right-back, lack of confidence is clear and struggled in the second half when Pools were second best
3 Lanzoni: On this performance it’s clear why Cambridge weren’t worried about letting him be cup-tied
4 Bates: Needless foul for the free-kick which brought the leveller, backed off Rivers for the winner
5 Jones: Comfortable and well-balanced on the left, without standing out;
6 Woods: Busy, bright, and good on the ball, but tired in the second period
6 Featherstone: When Pools were on top first half, he was on top of his game, but like so many other second-half was a non-event
4 Walker: Started promising, but a blood and thunder FA Cup tie isn’t the game for him;
4 Franks: Another close-range header against a non-league team, but final ball and delivery was again questionable
6 HAREWOOD: Put himself about, could have been given a second-half goal. Needed more support from his team-mates
4 Schmeltz: In and out of the game, not fit and it showed later on before he was replaced.
Subs:
Compton (for Schmletz 75)
(not used): Maxtead (gk), Holden, Hawkins, Richards, Smith, Campbell.
BLYTH SPARTANS (4-2-3-1): Jeffries 8; Nicholson 7, Buddle 8, HUTCHINSON 8, Watson 7; Turnbull 8, Hawkins 5 (Mullen 68, 7); Rivers 8, Wade 6 (Richardson 76), Dale7 (Wearmouth 90); Maguire 6. Subs (not used): Dixon, Parker, Hooks, Harrison.
MAN OF THE MATCH
RYAN Huthchinson – shaded his centre-half compatriot Buddle for the honours
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