Match Preview | Newcastle Benfield FC (H) | Pre-Season Friendly | 2024/25

Friday, 12 July 2024

Blyth Spartans are delighted to welcome everybody back to Croft Park on Saturday for our first match of the 2024/25 preseason.

We take on Northern Football League Division One side Newcastle Benfield on Saturday, July 13 at 3pm.

Ticket Information

You can buy tickets with cash or card at the gate on the day. All ticket information is as follows:

  • Adults - £8
  • Concessions (over 65) - £4
  • 11-16 Years & Students - £4
  • Under-11s are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Season ticket holders will have free entry for all home pre-season fixtures.

Matchday Information

Our club store will be open on Saturday from 1pm until 3pm and for 45 minutes after the full-time whistle.

The clubhouse, which has been open recently for the England matches, is open for supporters to enjoy our new range of draft beer, cider and ale which has recently been installed. Due to staff attending a funeral the clubhouse won't be open until 12:30pm.

Season tickets can also be collected from the clubhouse from 12:30pm onwards.

The Fergy Space Stand will be closed on Saturday due to repairs taking place across the stand. We expect the stand to reopen by Friday, July 19 when we host Gateshead FC.

Team News

Michael Hogan, Joe Oliver, Harrison Clark, Nicky Deverdics, Charlie Aitken and Billy Gordon are all inline to feature along with new signings Michael Woods, Ryan Donaldson, Ben Milburn and Lucas Reed. The game will also see a number of trialists feature.

Opposition

Newcastle Benfield have already played three pre-season games so far this season suffering defeats to Heaton Stannington and Bedlington Terriers and were on course to defeat Ryton and Crawcrook, but the match was abandoned after 60 minutes due to the weather.

Former Spartan, now Benfield's player/manager, Paul Brayson led his side to a 17th-place finish in the Northern Football League Division One with 30 points. Throughout the season they also suffered a three points deduction for fielding an ineligible player.

Last Time We Met

Last season, when the sides met in the Northumberland Senior Cup, Newcastle Benfield managed a win on penalties against a Blyth side which was predominantly filled with the under-19s squad after the game ended a 1-1 .

Media Coverage

You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms and BlythLive on Mixlr from 2:45pm.