Spennymoor Town FC spent a brief time atop the Vanarama National League North at the weekend after winning their early kick off against Bishop’s Stortford at The Brewery Field.
An own goal just before half time proved the difference between the sides, although Jamie Chandler’s men were good value for their win having had all the better of the chances against the division’s new boys. The decisive moment arrived on 43 minutes. Sam Fielding whipped a delicious ball in from the left and Taylor was waiting in the middle to pounce before luckless visiting defender, Ollie Peters, got a glancing touch with his head which saw the ball flash past Giddens.
Moors had an opportuity on Bank Holiday Monday to cement their position at the top when they travelled north to take on Blyth Spartans. But it was not to be as the side fell to a 2-0 defeat, slipping back to third in the table. A Nicky Deverdics penalty in first half stoppage time and a clever finish from Will McGowan midway through the second half were enough to ensure it was Spartans who took the honours in Northumberland.
In first half stoppage time, a prolonged Spartans attack saw numerous shots blocked before the ball fell to Will McGowan, who cleverly turned away from Josh Doherty before being upended. The referee pointed to the spot and Deverdics fired his penalty past Montgomery to hand Blyth a half time lead.
At the other end, Sam Fielding’s corner from the left caused chaos inside the home side’s six-yard area before being smuggled clear, while Main had another chance on goal but got crowded out. However, Spartans went 2-0 up on 68 minutes. Moors failed to clear their lines effectively and, when the ball was worked to McGown on the right side of the area, he cleverly jinked on to his right foot to chip a neat finish past Montgomery.
Defeat leaves the Moors one point off top spot alongside a clutch of other sides on 12 points. In fact, just three points separate the top eight in a tightly contested division after half a dozen games.
Next to visit The Brewery Field will be Chester this Saturday (2 September) before Moors travel to Cantilever Park to take on Warrington Town on Tuesday evening at 7.45pm. They then return home to host Hereford on Saturday 9 September before a two week break from league action.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
