Match Preview | Ashton United (H)
Friday, 7 December 2018
[caption id="attachment_34359" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Spartans against Ashton United in August 2016.[/caption]
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
Venue: Croft Park, Blyth
Date: Saturday 8th December 2018
Kick Off: 3.00pm
SCORE UPDATES / MATCH COMMENTARY
Blyth Live
ADMISSION
Adults - £12 (£2 extra for Stand Transfer)
Concessions - £7 (£2 extra for Stand Transfer)
Under 16's - £5 (£2 extra for Stand Transfer)
Under 10's - FREE with a paying Adult (£2 extra for Stand Transfer)
Reciprocal
Season Ticket Deal - £7 for Ashington AFC Season Ticket Holders
By Stuart Dick
Alun Armstrong's side return to Croft Park to face second from bottom Ashton United in the Vanarama National League North this Saturday, looking to extend their winning run to five games.
Blyth's recent form has moved the side up to 11th in the National League North just four points off Kidderminster who currently occupy the final lay-off spot. In their winning run Spartans have netted at least three goals in every game, ensuring you'll get value for your money when you watch the team in Green & White.
The Opposition:
Having won promotion last year from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division, Ashton have secured some encouraging results, beating the likes of Leamington, Hereford and Guiseley in the league this season.
However, in their last nine games they have lost seven, won one and drawn one, conceding 26 goals in the process. Ashton have lost their previous four games away in the league and sit 21st in the National League North table.
The tale of the tape:
This will be the 21st meeting between the two side since they first met in December 1994, a 4-1 victory for the visitors this weekend in that one.
Spartans have won 10, drawn five and lost five against Ashton United in all competitions.
Since that 4-1 defeat, Ashton have failed to win at Croft Park in eight attempts, although they have picked up a point in their last three visits.
Midfielder Lewis Horner scored his only Spartans goal in 3-3 draw away at Ashton in 2014.
The Manager:
Prolific goalscorer with Football League experience; signed as front-line cover for Ashton in 2015 and scored with his first touch as a Robin - returned to the club in the summer of 2016 after a brief return to former club Radcliffe Borough and was appointed player-manager in September 2016, initially alongside Will Haining for the remainder of the season before being granted sole charge of playing affairs for the start of 2017-18. Jody Banim Managed to get the club promoted to the National League North in his first season solely in charge.
The Key Man:
Bradley Jackson is the man in-form for the visitors this weekend having netted five goals this season in the Vanarama National League North.
Bradley Joined the Robins at the start of the 2018/19 season. Bradley settle in very we and has come up with some very important goals.
Spartans Team News and Milestones:
Robert Dale is now just two goals away from 200 in a Blyth Spartans shirt.
Damen Mullen could make his 200th appearance in a Blyth Spartans shirt this afternoon.
Dan Maguire is now just four goals away from 150 in a Blyth Spartans shirt.
Peter Jameson and Sean Reid are the only ever-presents left this season having played in all 24 games to date, Jameson playing every minute of the campaign to date.