Preview | Banbury United (h) | National League North | 22/23

By Ben Lightfoot

After advancing to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup, Blyth resume National League North action at Croft Park against Banbury United

Last Saturday saw the Spartans triumph in the FA Cup after Josh Gillies last minute winner against Chorley sealed a 1-0 win at Victory Park. The Spartans have been drawn to face Wrexham at home in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying on October 15th.

Ticket Information

• Tickets can be purchased in advance via our online system.
• If you do not have online access, you can purchase your ticket by ringing the club office on 01670 352373 and paying with a debit or credit card. Your ticket can then be collected from the social club on match day.
• We will operate a cash turnstile. However, we strongly encourage you to purchase your ticket in advance.
• Tickets purchased in advance must be printed or stored on your phone. Without proof of ticket, you will not be permitted into Croft Park.
• Advanced tickets can be bought up until 2pm on a matchday.
• Should you wish to sit in the Port of Blyth Stand, you should purchase in advance

Team News

Nathan Buddle will be out of action due to the head injury he suffered away at Chorley on October 1st. Lewis McNall and Alex Nicholson will be assessed ahead of the game having both missed the previous two matches, as a will Corey McKeown. Danny Barlow remains out, however there is some good news on the injury front as Toby Lees is back in contention after returning to training in midweek.

Opposition

Banbury are a newly promoted side to the National League North this season and has hit the ground running as they currently place second in the league, one point off league leaders, Kings Lynn Town.

The Puritans also advanced to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup after they won 2-0 at home against Berkhamsted FC.

What We're Saying

After a sensational late victory in the FA Cup, Graham Fenton said: "It's a really good atmosphere, the complete opposite of Tuesday night, it just shows the emotion of the game as we played well on Tuesday and came away with nothing.

"We've been good at times today and really poor at times and come away with a win. It's a strange old game at times so I just think the way the lads went about their business today was magnificent.

"We were short of bodies as we has six or seven out today, Buds coming off after 10/15 minutes doesn't help the cause, but everyone just stuck at it, dug in and ultimately we came up with the one bit of quality to win the game."

What They're Saying

Following Banbury's victory over Berkhamsted, assistant manager Craig Pead said: "The first half is 45 minutes I can't get back ever, it was poor, no energy or urgency. It just felt like a training game to some of them out there.

"Credit to these boys, they know thats not them and they gave us a reaction at half time and like always they do react which has never been an issue in this group so they upped it to a certain energy in the second half and you can see we controlled the game a lot more.

"But it just come through a little bit more urgency, bit more work rate, landing on the second ball instead of being second to the ball."

Last Time We Met

This will be the first time that the two sides will face off against each other.

Media Coverage

Join Niall Bromley and Phil Castiaux on Blyth Live from 2:45

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