The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Second Round Proper
Saturday 29 November 2008
Winning clubs will receive £30,000 from The FAClick here for all the Second Round ResultsBlyth Spartans will take their place alongside the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in the Third Round draw after holding League Two side Bournemouth 0-0 at Saltergate.
In a day of surprises, Mark Bell was the hero as the Blyth 'keeper kept Darren Anderton and co. at bay.
Nobody can deny the part-timers from the Conference North their place in the hat for Sunday's Third Round draw and boss Harry Dunn will be forever grateful for his 'keeper after Bell's heroics ensured a replay at Croft Park.
Bell said: "I played my part in the game. But it was a team effort - it was a very big pitch but the lads put their fitness levels to the test. Without doubt this is the best game I have played in my career.
"I will definitely enjoy tonight."
Bell is right - there's going to be some celebrations in the north-east tonight - and down south, too.
Richard Pell added: "We will be having a few shandies tonight - we will stay down here and then get the bus back tomorrow before another day at work on Monday morning."
Boss Dunn paid tribute to his heroes but warned there will be no sore heads in the morning.
He said: "Our keeper was exceptional, this is probably the best moment in my career. There's a few tired legs out there and there will be a few tired hands from holding all the drinks tonight - but we'll make sure they're in bed by 10pm."
The part-timers are allowed to dream - and Pell is doing just that. He added: "The FA Cup is something special - we all raised our game. We're in the hat for the next round and as a Manchester United fan it would be great to draw them."
Despite fielding former England international Anderton in their starting line up, Bournemouth failed to threaten in the early stages as the Saltergate crowd became restless as early as the 20th minute.
When the ex-Spurs ace passed the ball back towards his own goal, the home crowd whistled in disgust as the League Two strugglers failed to find a way through in the opening first-half.
For the Blyth fans who made the 372 mile trip to the south-coast, the exploits of Eastwood Town and Forest Green would have provided ample inspiration - if any were needed in the first place.
Playing in only their first Second Round tie for eleven years, Dunn's men did not look overawed in the slightest. And with influential skipper Gareth Williams pulling the strings, the visitors knew they had a chance of upsetting the odds.
Lee Bradbury was his usual combative self for the Cherries but on the off chance he escaped the clutches of the visiting defence, goalkeeper Bell was in sensational form to stop him.
Twice in the closing stages Bell was called upon - and he didn't disappoint. After an outstanding save at point blank range to deny Bradbury the first time, the 'keeper was at it again with four minutes of normal time to go.
Shaun Cooper's cross swung over from the right and Bradbury looked to have killed the Spartans off but Bell sprung into action and superbly stopped his goal-bound header.
With the visiting fans biting every last one of their fingernails down to the bone, Blyth held on to force a replay - and Dunn's men will certainly fancy their chances against Jimmy Quinn's strugglers.
Ahead of the intimidating replay-tie at Croft Park, Bournemouth boss Jimmy Quinn said: "We should have nicked it, we dominated the game without producing the goal.
"Their keeper pulled off some great saves but the main thing is that we're in the draw.
"It's disappointing but it's not the end of the world. We will have to battle up at Blyth."
Log on to TheFA.com on Sunday at 2.15pm for details of the Third Round draw ...