Preview | Alfreton Town F.C. (a) | National League North | 22/23

Friday, 21 April 2023

By Ben Lightfoot

Blyth Spartans travel to The Impact Arena as they face Alfreton Town in the penultimate National League North fixture of the season.

The Spartans won a crucial game last time out as they beat relegation rivals Farsley Celtic 2-0 after a Jordan Hickey brace helped Blyth move out of the relegation zone with two games to go.

Ticket Information

All ticket information can be viewed here.

Team News

There are no new injury concerns following Tuesday's game.

Opposition

The Reds currently sit one point inside the playoff places as they place sixth in the league table with three games left to play. Alfreton have drawn their last two league games.

Their manager Billy Heath recently managed his 200th game in charge on Tuesday night making him their third longest-reigning manager in history.

What We're Saying

Following a scintillating 2-0 win over relegation rivals Farsley Celtic, Graham Fenton said: "It was as good as we've been in terms of digging in and winning first balls, winning second balls, anticipating things, fighting and scrapping for the three points.

"It is as good as I've seen this team all season.

"And we obviously showed the two bits of quality today, there was never going to be loads and loads of quality due to the magnitude of the game, the pressure both teams are under, the position and the state of the pitch and we did enough to win it."

What They're Saying

After consecutive league draw for Alfreton, Billy Heath said: "It was a tough, tough game to be fair, I think we looked a little yard short all over.

"We never got going, we could never sustain pressure throughout the match and I think we worked hard again, like I said on Saturday it's a lot of heavy legs from the 3G performance.

"We just didn't have that verve about us tonight and what we did do tonight is show real character when we went a goal behind as it looked like it was going to be 0-0. To come back and get something out of the game is just immense."

Last Time We Met

Earlier on this season at Croft Park, Blyth thought they had beaten Alfreton Town up until the 98th minute when Matthew Rhead converted his penalty in the last kick of the game to share the points in a 2-2 draw.

At The Impact Arena last season the Spartans were victorious as former favourite Dan Maguire netted the only goal of the game after 79 minutes.

Media Coverage

Unfortunately there'll be no Blyth Live but Alfreton will be providing full match commentary here from 2:40pm.

Alternatively, you can follow the game via our social media platforms.