Match Preview | Boston United
Friday, 5 April 2019
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
Venue: Croft Park, Blyth
Date: Saturday 6
th
April 2019
Kick Off: 3.00pm
SCORE UPDATES / MATCH COMMENTARY
Blyth Live
ADMISSION
Adults - £12
Concessions - £7
11-16's - £5
Under 10's - FREE with a paying Adult
£2 Stand Transfer Applies
By Aaron Hindhaugh
Blyth Spartans will be looking to build on four solid away performances where they picked up eight points against Altrincham, Ashton United. AFC Telford and Curzon Ashton as they welcome Boston United to Croft Park on Saturday.
Spartans are yet to win in the league this year at home with their last National League North home win coming against York City at the end of December. Alun Armstrong will be hopeful of picking up three points against Boston who are also experiencing some indifferent form.
Boston won the reverse fixture in what was one of Blyth's worst performances of the season as they lost 4-0 at The Jakemans Stadium. Boston are one point and one place above Spartans in the league with both sides having very slim chances of making the playoffs this season.
The opposition:
Boston United find themselves six points behind AFC Telford United who occupy the final playoff qualifying spot, but have played one more game. Boston have had a similar season to Spartans with a lack of consistency costing them of seriously pushing for a playoff spot.
Boston have won 15, drawn seven and lost 15 games this season which sees them sitting comfortably in 10
th
place, just above Blyth. Boston have scored an impressive 16 goals in their last six away games in the National League North.
The tale of the tape:
This will be the 20
th
time the two sides have met with Spartans winning five, Boston winning nine and the two teams playing out five draws over the years.
The best game the two teams have played out came in 2017 in the National League North when Spartans won 5-2 at Croft Park when Dan Maguire got a hat-trick as well as Nathan Buddle and Jarret Rivers getting a goal each.
The manager:
Craig Elliott was appointed manager of Boston United in November 2017 after guiding Shaw Lane to three promotions in four seasons.
Following four successive victories in December 2017 Elliott was awarded the Vanarama National League North manager of the month award.
The key man:
Nicky Walker is the away sides top scorer this season with 11 goals from midfield. Walker has been an ever-present in Boston's team during his third stint at the club having played 38 games this season.
Walker has also spent time at Rotherham United, Wycombe Wanderers and Grimsby Town during his playing career.
Spartans team news and milestones:
Dan Maguire is three goals away from making it 160 for Blyth.
Adam Wrightson is five appearances from joining the 100 club for appearances.
Nathan Buddle is two goals away from 20 goals for the club.