Rovers end Blyth's dream

Blackburn brought non-league Blyth Spartans' FA Cup dream to an end with a 1-0 victory at Croft Park.

Villanueva free-kick books another trip to the North East

Blackburn Rovers brought non-league Blyth Spartans' FA Cup dream to an end as a second-half Carlos Villanueva free-kick secured a 1-0 third-round victory at Croft Park. Ahead of kick-off, Blue Square Conference North side Blyth - who had already dispatched Shrewsbury and Bournemouth - dared to imagine that they could upset their Premier League visitors from 118 places above them in the English football pyramid. Villanueva, though, ended any such hopes of cup romance on the Northumberland coast as in the 58th minute the Chile international delightfully curled a 25-yard free-kick to book a fourth-round trip to Sunderland. Rovers manager Sam Allardyce changed his entire side from the 11 players who had faced Manchester City last time out and it showed as his men lacked a lethal edge in front of goal and the first half ended in stalemate. Blackburn had, predictably, enjoyed the better of the opening possession but Allardyce's charges did not have a goal to show for their efforts after a deflected Matt Derbyshire bicycle-kick was ruled out for offside. However, 13 minutes after the interval Villanueva, who is set to leave Rovers in January following an unhappy loan spell at Ewood Park, beautifully curled past Blyth goalkeeper Mark Bell. Blyth's Andrew Wright had the chance to become a hero and earn a replay in the final 10 minutes, but the substitute side-footed a volley agonisingly wide when unmarked at the far post. A team made up of students, roofers, electrical engineers and physiotherapists did themselves proud on a night when the FA Cup once again provided an intriguing contest.

Struggle

With so many Newcastle fans among the Blyth squad and supporters, Allardyce was never likely to be afforded a warm welcome, and that extended to his players on the pitch as his team dominated but struggled to kill off the non-league side's brave resistance. Indeed, while Spartans keeper Bell was comfortably the busier of the two, it was opposite number Mark Bunn who had cause to look on with the greatest concern when he found himself all at sea 26 minutes into a compelling contest. The home side had not threatened the Blackburn goal at all until Bunn, for reasons best known to himself, came from his line to confront a posse of players converging on a loose ball and was beaten to it by Aaron Mokoena. The defender's poor clearance arrived invitingly at the feet of Jed Dalton, the man whose last-gasp strike against Bournemouth in the last round had booked his side their big night. But with Bunn scrambling desperately back towards his line, he missed the target from distance and the men from the top flight breathed a huge sigh of relief. They had enjoyed the better of what had gone before with midfielder Keith Treacy forcing a good 11th-minute save from Bell, but his clean sheet was in danger on several more occasions before referee Andre Marriner signalled the end of the first 45 minutes. Allardyce knew there was face-saving to be done after the break, while opposite number Harry Dunn could not have asked for much more from his battlers. There was a real sense of expectation inside the packed ground as the second half got underway with Rovers struggling to make their greater pedigree count.

Challenge

However, Spartans were reminded of the challenge they faced within six minutes of the restart when Villanueva worked his way into a promising position 25 yards out and curled a left-foot shot just wide, with Bell anxiously trying to get across to his post. But the Chilean made no mistake when presented with a second opportunity with 58 minutes gone. Villanueva had been barged to the ground by Chris McCabe, and took full revenge when he curled the resulting free-kick high into Bell's top-left corner to ease his side in front. It proved to be his last touch as Allardyce instantly introduced Jason Roberts and Keith Andrews, and the latter might have made his mark immediately had he not fluffed his lines in front of goal. Blackburn would have been home and dry had Treacy's 61st-minute shot crept under, rather than on to, the bar after flicking off full-back Kenny Boyle with the visitors finally flexing their muscles. But as time ran down, Spartans threw everything they had left at the visitors and, came agonisingly close to snatching a replay. Wright fired inches wide of the post with Bunn beaten with five minutes remaining and an unmarked Gildea headed over two minutes later as the Premier League side rode their luck.

Blyth Spartans	Team Statistics	Blackburn Rovers
0	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
1	Shots on Target	2
4	Shots off Target	10
2	Blocked Shots	4
2	Corners	8
12	Fouls	17
0	Offsides	1
0	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
49.8	Passing Success	67.7
39	Tackles	25
74.4	Tackles Success	80
36.5	Possession	63.5
41.2	Territorial Advantage	58.8