Blyth Spartans v Boston United (Match Preview)

BLUE SQUARE BET NORTH

Venue: Croft Park, Blyth (NE24 3JE)
Date: Monday August 29, 2011
Kick Off: 3pm
Score Updates:

Official Blyth Spartans Twitter feed

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Koast Radio

Admission Details:

Adults - £10.00 (£1.00 extra in 'Port of Blyth' Stand)
Concessions - £5.50 (£1.00 extra in 'Port of Blyth' Stand)
Under 10's - Free if accompanied by an adult (£0.50 extra in 'Port of Blyth' Stand)

Programme - £2

GROUND DIRECTIONS

Available

here

Sat-Navs: The postcode for the stadium is NE24 3JE.

TEAM NEWS

Shaun Vipond is out for around six months with a broken leg, sustained in the 1-3 defeat against Droylsden. Glen Taylor is still four weeks away from recovering from his broken metatarsal, while Phil Bannister is yet to return from his knee injury, which he picked up in the 3-3 draw with Harrogate.

John Alexander returned to Croft Park this week and will hope to be involved, to make his second Spartans debut. However, fellow new signing Sebastien Anzevui is still awaiting International Clearance, so will not be eligible.

Boston will be without the services of joint-manager Lee Canoville (knee) and fellow defender Liam Parker (ankle.) Forward Mickey Stones is also a doubt, with a knee problem.

Latest starting line-ups:

Blyth Spartans (1-3 v Droylsden, September 10): Knight, Groves, Cave, Jones, Coulson (Emms), Buchanan, Forster (Mason), Hooks, Armstrong, Vipond (Slaughter), Phillips. Subs not used: Purvis, Crook.

Boston United (0-1 v Solihull Moors, September 10): Bastock, Fairclough, Ward, White, Jelleyman, Semple, Hall (Milnes 67), Sleath, Newsham, Stones (Holsgrove 50), Suarez. Subs not used: Austin, Wilkinson, Field.

MATCH PREVIEW

Both Spartans and Pilgrims fans will hope that Saturday's encounter is a repeat of last season's corresponding fixture - but with goals added this time around.

The 0-0 draw between the two sides at Croft Park was the perfect advert for non-league football, with both sides putting in fantastic team performances. However, a lack of finishing ensured a no score draw for a game that deserved goals.

Spartans manager Steve Cuggy has said it is "Necessary" for his side to get something out of the game, following last week's 1-3 defeat against Droylsden.

In his programme notes for the game, Cuggy said: "I feel it is necessary for us to take something out of the game, as we need to push away from the bottom three and try and establish ourselves in mid-table."

Meanwhile, Boston will look to bounce back from last week's 0-1 defeat at Solihull and will hope to continue their impressive away form, winning three of their four games on the road so far.

IN THE OPPOSING DUGOUT

Jason Lee and Lee Canoville

When joint first-team managers Rob Scott and Paul Hirst resigned back in March, Canoville and ex-forward Lee were thrown in at the deep end when they were appointed joint caretaker managers for the remainder of the season. They guided Boston into the playoffs, but saw their promotion hopes extinguished when they were beaten by Guiseley in the semi-final.

DANGER MAN

Marc Newsham

Former Rotherham youngster Newsham helped Ilkeston Town to promotion in May 2009 and - six weeks later - became Boston United's latest summer signing - following his release by the Millers.

Newsham grabbed the headlines by scoring 29 goals, as the Pilgrims earned promotion to Blue Square Bet North at the end of 2009/2010.

He scored eight goals in Ilkeston's charge into the Blue Square North and was quickly snapped up for the Pilgrims, but his 2010/2011 campaign was interrupted by a series of niggling injuries.

Newsham currently tops the Boston goal scoring charts this season, with three goals.

MATCH FACTS

Blyth Spartans:

- If selected, forward John Alexander will make his second debut for the club.
- Blyth have had eight unique scorelines so far this season, with no match finishing the same as a previous result.
- Spartans will drop into the relegation zone if they do not at least match Bishop's Stortford's result and/or Workington and Solihull take three points from their respective fixtures.

Boston United:

- Have the third best away record in the league so far, taking nine points from four games, with a 0-2 defeat at Nuneaton Town their only loss.
- The Pilgrims have been a lot more successful on the road than at the Jakerman's this season, taking just two points from their opening four home fixtures.
- Lost to bottom club Solihull Moors last time out, to give Moors their first points of the season.

PREVIOUS CLASHES

2010/2011 - Conference North - Boston United 5-0 Blyth Spartans

2010/2011 - Conference North - Blyth Spartans 0-0 Boston United

2007/2008 - Conference North - Boston United 3-2 Blyth Spartans (Houlahan 2)

2007/2008 - Conference North - Blyth Spartans 2-1 Boston United (Dale, Webster)

1997/1998 - Northern Premier League - Boston United 2-2 Blyth Spartans (Di Lella, Cole)

1997/1998 - President's Cup Second Round Replay - Boston United 2-4 Blyth Spartans (Pike 2, Atkinson, Moat) (after extra time)

1997/1998 - President's Cup Second Round - Boston United 3-3 Blyth Spartans (Atkinson 2, Moat)

1997/1998 - Northern Premier League - Blyth Spartans 0-1 Boston United

1996/1997 - Northern Premier League - Boston United 2-1 Blyth Spartans (Moat)

1996/1997 - Northern Premier League - Blyth Spartans 1-2 Boston United (Walker)

MUTUAL FRIENDS

Steven Raffell (Blyth Spartans: 1992-1997)
Adam Rowntree (Blyth Spartans: 2008-2009)
Chris Swailes (Blyth Spartans: 2010-2011)
Alan White (Blyth Spartans: February-April 2011)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: A Miller
Assistants: I Patton & D Hulme

BLUE SQUARE BET MATCH ODDS

Blyth Spartans win: 6/4
Draw: 13/5
Boston United win: 11/8