Blyth Spartans 5, Witton Albion 1: WITTON'S defence, which crumbled last week, collapsed altogether at Blyth Spartans on Saturday.

After providing a solid foundation for a revival, and selecting the only department to remain whole amid the recent changes, they found the pressure just too much.

Witton paraded new signings Darren Hockenhull, Martin Mc-Donald, Dave Whittaker and Mike Bowler but were behind after only 12 minutes before they could settle into their new roles.

A long ball skimmed off the side of Brian Pritchard's head and Scott Bell reacted quickest to fire home under Jon Kennedy from six yards.

Albion escaped further punishment from an already rampant Blyth until the 25th minute when Tom Spearritt, back in defence after heading Witton's first chance over, was beaten by the bounce of the ball and Bell volleyed goal-wards, Kennedy somehow allowing the ball to squirm under his body into the net.

Witton had a good case for a penalty ignored when Whittaker appeared to have been bundled over, but in the 35th minute they were back in contention when a Mark Peers' corner seemed to fool everyone apart from Spearitt, who stabbed the ball home from a just a few feet out.

Albion made an encouraging start to the second half, although Hockenhull blazed over when Moseley found space and picked him out.

But Witton had not steadied themselves at the back and in 52 and 54 minutes they looked hesitant and like complete strangers as Bell and Robert Dale stroked home goals three and four.

Blyth's football then became expansive and they deservedly scored a fifth - Dale aiming true for the top corner of the net - in the 70th minute.

Fortunately their appetites were then sated and Albion were glad to hear the final whistle, with Pritchard going close with a header just before the referee blew.

WITTON: Kennedy, Brownhill, Pritchard, Spearritt, Ness (Bowler 56); Peers, McDonald, Hockenhull (King 75), McNutt (McNamara 65); Moseley, Whittaker.

Att: 402 Star Man: Liam Brownhill, deserved less blame than the rest! Next Best: Martin McDonald Team Rating: 1 Match Rating: 4