Preview | Boston United (H) | National League North

Monday, 7 December 2020

In association with LV BET

Blyth Spartans host Boston United in their third National League North game in just six days on Tuesday evening (December 8).

Michael Nelson's men returned from an enforced 17-day break last Wednesday against York City before travelling to Kettering Town on Saturday.

Those brought back-to-back defeats for Blyth, who will now look to put that right when last season's play-offs finalists visit Northumberland.

Team News

Olly Scott has joined Spartans' growing injury list after being carried off just before half-time against Kettering.

Aaron Cunningham, Kieran Charlton, Liam Agnew, Panos Katsamagkas, Connor Thomson and Paul Blackett also missed the game at Latimer Park.


THE OPPOSITION

Craig Elliott's men have played the joint-lowest number of fixtures this season (7), alongside York City, Darlington and Hereford.

Boston are without a win in three games, losing to AFC Fylde and Chorley - the first game at their new stadium - and drawing away to Gloucester City.

The Pilgrims were unbeaten in their opening four matches, beating Leamington, AFC Telford and Southport, while sharing the points with Guiseley.

Elliott's side are still waiting to hear the outcome of their game at Darlington last month. They were leading 2-0 before the game at Blackwell Meadows was abandoned late on.

Form (last seven matches): WWDWLDL

What We're Saying

After making his Blyth debut, JJ O'Donnell said: "When you come to a team like Kettering, Paul Cox's side are renowned for long balls and when you have someone like Kyle Perry upfront, it's something very different.

"We were warned before the game but it's the way it is, we conceded two set-pieces as a team but we've got to put that right and only us as players can do that."

What They're Saying

Pilgrims boss Craig Elliott, speaking after watching his side lose to Chorley via two penalties, said: "That's all you can in this league and in football (is bounce back).

"There are going to be a lot of setbacks for a lot of teams this year but it is how you respond.

"We've got to come out fighting and show the quality we've got. We've had a good chat in the dressing room, so we'll see what happens moving forward."

Last Time We Met

Blyth lost 1-0 to Boston at Croft Park in February after Jay Rollins' 67th-minute effort.

Spartans: Hemming, Evans, Wilson (Devitt, 11), Hunter, Sanders, Thackray, Lambert (Scott, 55), Hawkins, Harmison (Sweet, 52), Waddington, Dale (C). Subs not used: Mullen, McKeown.

Boston United: Crook, Penny, Whittle, Platt, Ainge, Shiels (c), Rollins, Thanoj, Knowles (Wafula, 88), Thewlis (Jackson, 90+1), Mulhern (Wright, 85). Subs not used: Garner, Woolford.

Goal: Rollins (67)

Attendance: 576

Referee: Adam Williamson

Match Programme

Issue #6 of our digital matchday programme SPARTANS is available to purchase now!

For just £1, you can read:

  • The gaffer's pre-match thoughts
  • What happened on this day
  • Spartans All Around the World
  • Talking points
  • Plus much, much more!

Programmes are available via our online club shop.

50/50 HALF-TIME DRAW

Supporters wishing to take part must do the following:

  • Transfer £1 for each entry to the Club's bank account. (Sort code: 30-95-76. Account No: 01912440)
  • Enter 50/50 as the reference

We will accept entries up to the referee's half-time whistle.

The draw will be made at half time and announced during the second half of the match.

It will also be posted on the website and social media.

The cash prize will be made by bank transfer.

Live Stream

Streaming passes are priced at £8, with both Blyth and Boston supporters welcome.

To watch, all you need to do is register with our streaming partner Insight4 - if you haven't done so already - and purchase the game via the link below:

https://streaming.insightfour.com/stream/dnY2b2JF

Once purchased, you must visit the same link to access the game. If you already created an account, please sign in with your username and password.

Please be sure to keep a note of your login details as you will be required to log on with the same details to watch the match.

Our live coverage gets underway 15 minutes before kick-off, with commentary coming in the company of Blyth Live.