Gateshead FC (h) Match Preview

Following Tuesday's opening pre-season fixture at Ashington AFC, Blyth Spartans will make their Croft Park debut for the 2012/13 season this coming Saturday as they entertain Blue Square Premier Division side Gateshead in their second friendly. Tommy Cassidy's side will take on the Tynesiders in a 3pm kick off as they continue their preparations for their upcoming Evo-Stik Northern Premier League campaign. As well as seeing a number of players who have re-signed for the new season Spartans' fans will get to give new signings striker Craig Farrell, keeper Conor Grant and left back James Novak a warm welcome and also see the return of striker Robbie Dale, after he sealed a permanent return to the club from Whitley Bay earlier this month.

There should be a number of familiar faces in the Gateshead lineup including recent signing Goalkeeper Adam Bartlett. The former Newcastle United reserve team stopper spent three years at Croft Park, in the process making 114 appearances. He was inducted into the Spartans Hall of Fame and was voted the Spartans Supporters Club Player of the Year in 2008. Tynesiders' midfielders Phil Turnbull, James Marwood and Josh Gillies have also worn the green and white stripes during their careers. Ian Bogie's side are certain to provide Spartans with a stern test ahead of the new term and it should be some start to the 2012/13 season at Croft Park.

Following the Gateshead friendly Tommy Cassidy's side will continue their pre-season games with an away fixture at Sunderland RCA on Tuesday 24th July and home games against Tonbridge Angels(Saturday 28th July), Dunston UTS(Tuesday 31st July) and Team Northumbria(Saturday 4th August). All home friendly tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

Match Stats

Last time out:

17 July 2012 PSF: Ashington AFC 3-1 Blyth Spartans (C Farrell)

18 July 2012 PSF: Fleetwood Town 0-1 Gateshead (Hatch)

Previous Meeting:

12 November 2011 FA Cup First Round: Blyth Spartans 0-2 Gateshead (Shaw, Cummins)

Blyth Spartans:

Knight, Slaughter, Cave (Forster 72), Phillips, Groves, Pearson, Mason (Offiong 66), Hooks, Armstrong (Taylor 77), Mole, Emms.
Subs (not used): Anzevui, Crook (gk), Purvis, Hunter (gk)

Gateshead:

Alnwick, Baxter (Henderson 80), Carruthers, Clark, Curtis, Brittain (Moore 69), Cummins (Nix 85), Turnbull, Gate, Fisher, Shaw.
Subs (not used): Deasy (gk), Rents, Mulligan, Gillies.

Referee:

Daren Bond (Burscough)

Att:

2,763

A foot in both camps:

(amongst others) Wayne Phillips, Graeme Armstrong, James Marwood, Phil Cave, Adam Bartlett, Stephen Harrison, Chris Swailes