BLYTH SPARTANS 6 HINCKLEY UNITED 1

Attendance: 462

By ANDY GIBBS at CROFT PARK

WHAT a difference a week makes. Just seven days ago, The Knitters were basking in the glory of a stunning performance that saw them ease through a tricky looking FA Cup tie, but here they were left to slink away from Croft Park with their tail between their legs after a mauling by Blyth.

Make no mistake, this could have been a much heavier defeat too, the only Knitter to emerge with any credit from a shambolic display was debutant keeper Wayne Connolly. With Chris MacKenzie on compassionate leave, Connolly stepped up and must have wondered what he’d let himself in for as time and again the negligent defenders in front of him went missing and but for some excellent saves from the rookie keeper, it could have been double figures.

The opening goal came midway through the first half, Robbie Dale’s initial effort was well saved by Connolly, but the rebound fell kindly for Michael TAIT to finish. United had a couple of half chances, Andy Hall’s 20 yard shot was saved low to his right by Mark Bell before Adam Webster put his looping header onto the top of the net before Spartans wasted a gilt-edged opportunity to double their lead when Paul Lister was adjudged to have fouled his man in the box, it looked a harsh award and justice was done as Dale pulled his spot kick wide.

Hinckley’s reprieve was only temporary as the floodgates opened six minutes before half time when Blyth scored their second as Stephen HARRISON rifled his shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards. Thereafter, United lost all defensive shape as the passing and movement of Blyth’s attackers cut them to ribbons time and again and a four goal burst in nine minutes either side of half-time left Hinckley’s eight game unbeaten run in tatters.

Mark DONINGER made it three after 41 minutes when he angled his drive home from the edge of the area and on the stroke of half-time, more Mickey Mouse defending left Ian GRAHAM in the clear to pick his spot from 15 yards.

Dean Thomas made a double change at the interval to try and stem the flow, but within three minutes of the re-start, the home side went further in front as once again Connolly was left exposed and though he did well to block Ian BRAYSON’S initial shot, the striker made no mistake with the rebound.

That was the end of the scoring for a spell, though that was more down to heroics from Connolly and wasteful finishing from Blyth rather than any improvement in United’s defensive play and Hinckley managed to pull a goal back with 15 minutes remaining when Andy Gooding’s corner was helped on by Chukki Eribenne for Alex TAYLOR to finish from close range

The last word went to Blyth, and fittingly it was their best player GRAHAM who scored the final goal, a remarkable effort as a cross was going behind him on the edge of the area but he stretched out a leg and back-heeled a volley that rocketed into the corner of the net.

HINCKLEY UNITED: Connolly, Mace, Giddings, Lavery, Collins, Lister (Taylor, 45), Hall (Dillon, 57), Gooding, Webster, West (Eribenne, 45), Cartwright. Subs not used: Hamilton, Roberts.