Match Report: Blyth Spartans 0-3 Ashton United

Ashton's impressive run of form continued with an untroubled victory in the North East seeing them up to third place in the Northern Premier League.

Spartans are in serious danger of a second successive relegation amidst mutterings from the home fans but in the meantime 2 goals from in-form James Hardy sandwiched one from Jason Gilchrist for a bloodless victory.

Within 2 minutes a cross from Alex Byrne had been cleared with the move ending with Callum Rowe steering his effort past the far post and on 14 minutes the opening goal arrived as Darius Osei held possession from Sean Newton's pass and set up Hardy for a fine strike from just outside the area. Hardy's overlap then saw his pullback lead to Osei forcing a low save out of Bancroft before Hardy was flagged offside and a break from a corner saw Byrne' s attempted pass to Remi Effunuga overhit.

Just 3 minutes into the second period captain Luke Burke advanced and saw his shot rebound off Bancroft for half time substitute Jason Gilchrist to turn it home close in and 2 minutes later the home side registered their first shot on target as Dean Briggs gave Eastham an easy save after Newton had blocked his first attempt.

Alfie Docherty then picked up a booking for chasing back Osei and Newton could have done better then to head Burke's subsequent delivery well over the top. Approaching the hour mark Myers' cross was headed against the frame of the goal by JJ Hooper with a possible push on Newton ignored and a free kick won by Simpson dropped to Hooper who brought a low save out of Eastham.

Burke then needed to be alert to block out Aitken as the last man before a break at the other end saw a left wing cross reach Hardy who switched on to his left foot before providing a composed finish. WIth the game being played out Paddy Almond fired a loose ball wide of the far post before he cleared Burke's cross for a corner which ended with Newton glancing Hardy's delivery wide of the far post.