Match report by Chris Hudson
On a wonderful day for Team GB at the Beijing Olympics, it was goals for two of AFC Telford United’s golden boys that sealed a second consecutive victory.
Martyn Naylor capped a fine individual performance with the opener just minutes before Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt had shattered the world 100m record over in China.
The incredible Bolt had even been able to ease up over the line on the way to a breathtaking time of 9.69 seconds, and it looked like Telford would be able to do something similar when poacher extraordinaire Terry Fearns added the second early in the second half.
Blyth had other ideas, though, and a fabulous free-kick from skipper Gareth Williams narrowed the gap to ensure a nervy finish, but Telford held on to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
In truth, it was hardly a performance of real quality - and Spartans, who were on top for spells of the game, would have felt a little hard done by as they set off on the long road home.
As against Hinckley last Tuesday, the Bucks looked to have a real threat every time they went forward.
At the back, though, they never looked completely convincing - and may well have been punished had Blyth taken any of the several openings they carved out, especially in the first half.
The visitors started brightly and could have opened the scoring inside three minutes, Gary Brown driving wide when the goal appeared to be at his mercy.
Lively midfielder Ged Dalton was also proving a nuisance for the hosts’ defence, forcing one of several early corners with a deflected shot and then lashing an effort off target from resulting set-piece.
Telford had their chances - Fearns miscuing an early opportunity and Liam Blakeman having a fierce goal-bound drive that took a faint deflection for a corner.
The opener came just short of the half hour, Naylor providing the finish after an unselfish square ball from Blakeman.
Yet Blyth could so easily have levelled within two minutes, full-back Andrew Leesonfailing to connect when set up with a golden opportunity by Robbie Dale.
The Bucks looked set to extend their advantage just before the break, Fearns playing strike partner Andy Brown through, only for keeper Mark Bell to save well with his legs.
As it was, Telford only had to wait six minutes to double the lead in the second half - recovering from a shaky start to break quickly.
Blakeman fed Brown on the right and his cross was on a sixpence for Fearns to head home and put his side on route to victory.
Blyth might have crumbled, but showed admirable grit and determination to keep going.
They gave themselves hope of getting back into it as Williams converted a 22-yard free-kick after a foul by skipper Stuart Whitehead just outside the area.
An equaliser never looked to be in the offing though, and Telford actually finished the game looking stronger than they had at any point.
Midfielder Jon Adams proved to be a key figure and he went close three times - notably inside the last five minutes as he got on the end of a drilled cross from Brown and unleashed a powerful effort that Bell could only smother at the second attempt.
Boss Rob Smith and assistant Larry Chambers were delighted to accept the points, but neither will let that mask what was a far-from-perfect display.
Sides with a better forward line may well have punished them more severely for the frequent wobbles in their backline.
Injuries have made life difficult for them of course, and there will be far more options for the management in a month’s time when the likes of Jimmy Turner, Indy Khela, Asa Charlton and Simon Forsdick should all be back in contention.
Until then, they just need to hold in there. They’ve made a pretty good start.
MATCH FACTS:
AFC TELFORD: Young, Naylor, Jagielka, Cowan, Whitehead, Rodgers, Adams, Nwadike (Fitzpatrick 65), Fearns (Stevens 80), A Brown, Blakeman (Vermiglio 83). Subs not used: Moore, Vaughan. Booked: Brown (53) - dissent, Nwadike (59) - foul, Whitehead (68) - foul.
BLYTH: M Bell, Leeson, Boyle (Poole 75), Williams, Pell, Todd, Dalton, G Brown, Dale, Hume, Wright (P Bell 65). Subs not used: Snowdon, Fenton. Booked: Pell (90+1) - foul on A Brown.
REFEREE: Simon Sparrow (Staffs).
ATTENDANCE: 1,750 (17 from Blyth).
GOAL LOG:
1-0 Naylor (29) - got on the end of Blakeman’s square ball to side-foot in from six yards out.
2-0 Fearns (51) - rose superbly at the far post and seemed to hang in the air to head in off Brown’s precise cross from the right.
2-1 Williams (68) - bent a tremendous free-kick around the defensive wall and into the bottom corner.
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