Darlington 1883 vs Blyth Spartans - Match Preview

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER DIVISION

Venue: Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland (DL14 9AE)
Date: Monday 31st August 2015
Kick Off: 15:00

SCORE UPDATES / MATCH COMMENTARY

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ADMISSION

£10 - Adults
£7 - Concessions
£4 - Children

TEAM NEWS

We are now five games into the season and have reached the Bank Holiday Monday fixture against newly promoted Darlington 1883. With no defeats to log in the campaign for Blyth so far, we take confidence into the match, currently sitting top of the league. The home side have had a mixed bag of results in their start to the season, with victories over Barwell, Frickley and Colywn Bay but with defeats to Buxton and Workington. A tough match is inevitable at Heritage Park, with victory for either side key to the push towards being closer to the top of the table.

Robbie Dale scored his third goal of the season at home to Nantwich on Saturday. He will be looking to adding more to his tally. A strong performance from the back four and goalkeeper Adam McHugh is also going to be required to hold back the quality of attacking options in the names of Armstrong and Thompson. Blyth have an impressive record on the road of late, not something which has been common in recent years but two clean sheets against Barwell and Ashton shows the strength and togetherness the current squad have. One of the hardest tests of the season will face them on Monday but confidence is high.

DIRECTIONS

- Head south on the A1 until you reach the Spennymoor/Bishop Auckland/Peterlee turn off (A177/A688)
- At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit up the A688
- Drive 1.6 miles, approach the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, continuing the A688
- Drive 8.3 miles through Spennymoor and into the centre of Bishop Auckland
- At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Fylands Drive
- Drive straight over one roundabout, at the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit and the ground should be ahead.

IN THE AWAY DUG OUT

Martin Grey - Has been in charge of the club since 2012. Gain promotion from Northern League to Evo Stik Premier Division.

DANGER MAN

Phil Turnbull - very strong player for Evo Stik League level. Moved from Gateshead in the close season.

LAST TIME WE MET

Blyth Spartans 3-0 Darlington 1883

- FA Cup 2015

RECORD AGAINST OPPOSITION

Played - 3
Won - 1
Lost - 1
Drew - 1

Scored - 4
Conceded - 5

MUTUAL FRIENDS

Mark Bell
Gary Brown
Alan White
Harry Dunn
Craig Turns
Chris Emms
Shaun Reay
Jack Norton
Stephen Harrison
Carl Jones
Paul Robinson
Graeme Armstrong

OFFICIALS

Referee: Barry Gordon
Assistants: Anthony Pattison and Jonathan Wood