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

By Ben Lightfoot

Blyth Spartans face Chorley at Croft Park, which will be their first of three consecutive home games in quick succession.

The Spartans won their first league match away from home since 22nd November last time out as Sam Hodgson scored his first Blyth goal in a 1-0 win over Leamington.

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

Nathan Buddle, Lewis McNall, Rhys Evans and Michael Richardson remain out, however Nicky Deverdics is set to return after a 3-match ban. Toby Lees will be assessed after he missed Saturday's win at Leamington.

Opposition

After 29 National League North matches this season Chorley currently are in the playoff places as they sit 7th on 43 points.

The Magpies are on a poor run of form as of late winning just one of their last five matches. Most recently Chorley lost 2-1 at home to 11th places Southport.

What We're Saying

After Sam Hodgson's penalty was the difference against Leamington, Sam Hodgson said: "We haven't played that well. In terms of how the conditions suit the two teams, it suits them better.

"We had to dig in the first half and show resilience as they put the pressure on and to be fair they're good up top, the big lad is a hand full and he had runners around him, so we had to stick in, certain parts of the game we did that and we showed the one moment of quality in the first half.

"Michael [Spellman] done ever so well to get through, I thought it was a harsh decision by the ref to send him off [Joe Clarke], I thought it was a penalty and a yellow card.

"But look we've got a bit of luck today that we need so there's that, their keeper having to go off injured, sometimes you just need that little bit of luck and today we've had it."

What They're Saying

Following a 2-1 defeat at home to Southport, Andy Preece said: "Well, we're all shaking our heads now. You know another game against Southport where we've managed to find a way to lose a game that we shouldn't be losing.

"The crowd was fantastic, to get 1500 through the gate is something that we've needed, it's fantastic, they're getting behind the team and got behind us right till that last whistle and they must be shaking their heads.

"But it's our own doing, it's not something that Southport did you know, they changed their system slightly in the second half and we were so dominant but we were getting through that and it's taking responsibility at set pieces and its as simple as that and it's not got anything to do with tactics, its to do with desire."

Last Time We Met

At Victory Park in August the sides endured a 1-1 as Lewis McNall's 65th-minute equaliser recovered the Spartans a point after Connor Hall's opener just after half-time.

However, at Croft Park last year the Spartans fell to a 2-0 defeat due to goals from Connor Hall and Millenic Alli.

Media Coverage

Join us on Blyth Live from 7:30pm.

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