Preview | Buxton (h) | National League North | 22/23

Friday, 27 January 2023

It's a second home game in a week as Blyth Spartans host Buxton at Croft Park.

Spartans are fresh off the back of their first win since November after Cedric Main's first-half goal secured a 1-0 win at home to Southport.

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 6:45pm on a matchday.
  • Should you wish to sit in the Port of Blyth Stand, you should purchase in advance.

Team News

Blyth will be without Nathan Buddle, Lewis McNall, Michael Liddle, Rhys Evans and Michael Richardson in what is still a lengthy injury list. Nicky Deverdics will also miss out due to suspension following his red card away at Gloucester City last Saturday.

The Opposition

Buxton's recent struggles continued as they lost at away at fellow relegation strugglers Farsley Celtic on Tuesday evening. The Bucks currently sit in 20th with just goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone, and three points ahead of Spartans who have the chance to leapfrog their opponents with a win.

What We're Saying

Speaking after Tuesday night's win, Graham Fenton said, "Whenever you play a team like Southport you know you're in for a scrap. They make life difficult for you, they work hard and they're strong, but we dealt with them well for long periods.

Looking ahead to a crucial match on Saturday, he added, "It's another game of football, we're going into it in good spirits with what happened on Saturday (2-2 away to Gloucester City) and getting the three points tonight. But in that last 15/20 minutes we had a lot of tired legs understandably after the effort we put in on Saturday. We'll have a light session Thursday and then dust ourselves down and go again."

What They're Saying

Speaking after his side's defeat against Farsley, Bucks manager Craig Elliott said, "I can't fault the lads second half, we threw everything at them and dominated and unlucky not to score another. Again it's poor goals in the first half that's given us an uphill battle.

We're in a relegation battle, we've got to work hard in the next 19 games to get out of it. I need to try and improve the squad and get us in better nick going into a big game on Saturday. We're down there now, we need to roll our sleeves up and stick together and I'm sure we'll get the results we want."

Last Time We Met

The sides have already met twice this season with Spartans coming on top on both occasions.

Blyth kicked off the August Bank Holiday weekend in dramatic fashion at The Silverlands with Alex Nicholson - who retired this week - scoring two goals in the last five minutes as Spartans came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win.

At Croft Park in November in the FA Trophy, Cedric Main put in an inspired performance as he helped himself to four goals in a 4-2 win.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Join us on Blyth Live from 2:45pm.

Alternatively you can follow the match on our social media channels.