Preview | Blyth Spartans vs Spennymoor Town | National League North | 2023/24
Monday, 28 August 2023
Like every other National League North outfit, Graham Fenton's side face a quick turnaround to prepare as well as possible for the visit of Spennymoor Town to Croft Park on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.
Spartans suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Buxton on Saturday as a brace from Sam Osborne and a goal from Jake Wright earned The Bucks three points in Derbyshire.
Ticket Information
You can buy tickets with cash or card at the gate on the day or online here. All ticket information is as follows:
- Adults - £15 standing
- Concessions (over 65) - £9
- 11-16 Years & Students - £6
- Under-10s are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
To be seated in the Port of Blyth main stand, an extra £2 cost will be incurred for each category.
Segregation will be in place, meaning away fans must only enter the ground via the Plessey Road turnstiles with the entrance situated next to Gino's Fish and Chip shop, as access to other areas of Croft Park will not be permitted.
There is not a separate ticket category for away fans via the online booking link but it is strongly advised to purchase tickets online to help ease queuing congestion on the day.
If any away fan requires a seated ticket or disability access, please notify [email protected] in advance or notify a steward at the gate on the day.
Team News
Lewis Knight is expected to miss the fixture having pulled up with an injury during the early stages of the defeat away to Buxton on Saturday afternoon.
JJ O'Donnell is still recovering from concussion and JJ Hooper is not expected to return from injury for this fixture either.
Alex Mitchell is absent and it is expected that goalkeeper, Dan Langley will start against his former side having signed on a non-contract basis.
What We're Saying
Looking ahead to the Spennymoor Town fixture post-Buxton, Graham Fenton said: "It's physical and mental recovery from now.
"It's not like we were disgustingly bad (against Buxton), we were naive, I actually said to the lads it was a little bit similar to the game against Spennymoor at home last year; they absolutely killed us on the turnover because we were too expansive.
"It was the same (here at Buxton) first half, second half we were better, but every chance we had was straight at their goalkeeper, we've got to be doing better in terms of composure and quality in the final third."
Opposition
Spennymoor Town currently sit top of the National League North standings on 12 points following their 1-0 win over Bishop's Stortford on Saturday afternoon.
They have won four out of their opening five fixtures, seeing their only defeat coming on home turf as they fell to a 4-1 loss against Tamworth.
What They're Saying
Moors boss, Jamie Chandler post-Bishop's Stortford: "Local games you really look forward to them, you test yourself against the other talent in the area.
"Graham (Fenton) is a brilliant manager and they've got an excellent style of play, we've started to do our research on them, we've watched games, and prepared for it, the important thing is for the players is that rest and recovery (heading into Monday)."
Last Time We Met
Both sides last faced off against each other on New Year's Day at The Brewery Field which saw The Moors complete a league double over Spartans as Rob Ramshaw and Reece Kendall cancelled out Isaac Walker's deadlock-breaking goal.
Matchday Programme Preview
Issue 4 of Spartans will be on sale around the ground which is priced at £2.
Look out for a 'GET TO KNOW' feature with Charlie Aitken and much more!
Catering
Due to unforeseen circumstances and circumstances out of the Club's control, there will be no catering van at either end of the ground for the fixture against Spennymoor Town at Croft Park.
Separate areas for both home and away fans where basic hot drinks and an assortment of snacks will be served.
Local Blyth businesses have come together with Shy's to open their doors on a Bank Holiday Monday and are preparing pies and sandwiches to be sold at the game. Gino's fish and chip shop has agreed to stay open and provide an alternative for away supporters.
Media Coverage
You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms and BlythLive on Mixlr too.
National League TV will also be streaming the match live. Click here for more information on how to purchase a Match Pass.