Preview | Gloucester City (h) | National League North | 22/23

Blyth Spartans host Gloucester City this Saturday as fan favourite Graham Fenton returns to the dugout at Croft Park.

After being announced as First-team manager on Tuesday afternoon, Fenton was straight in the thick of it as his Spartans' side battled to a 1-1 draw away to Chorley. Lewis McNall scored a stunning equaliser for Blyth to register their first league point of the season.

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

It's hoped Alex Nicholson and Nicky Deverdics will be available after picking up knocks in the match against King's Lynn. There are still doubts over the fitness of Danny Barlow.

Opposition

Lee Mansell's Gloucester City side have enjoyed a strong start to the season. After losing their first game, the Tigers have bounced back with two straight wins - a 2-0 win at home to Boston, before enjoying a 3-1 success over Peterborough Sports - with Matt McClure and Sion Spence getting the goals.

Spartans will have to be watchful of dangerman McClure who has scored four goals in his last two games.

What We're Saying

Fenton was delighted with what he saw in the draw with Chorley, "I'm pleased with lots of things really. We went in with a different formation, we give the lads little bits of information, and it wasn't going to be tactically brilliant (with only just arriving at the club). But it was more to do with the determination, resilience, fight and scrap - all the things you look for to see if the attitude and mentality of the players is right - and I couldn't ask for more."

What They're Saying

Mansell is understandable happy with his side's start to the season, "It's really pleasing, it's the first time since I've been here that we've managed back to back wins here so it's a massive positive.

We want to make this place a fortress, with Brackley still to come here. But before that we've got a tough Blyth test."

Last Time We Met

The sides last met on the final day of last season, in what was Robbie Dale's final appearance for the club. With little to play for, both teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Meadow Park, with Connor Thomson and JJ O'Donnell getting on the scoresheet.

Prior to that the teams last played at Croft Park in January, with Spartans coming out 2-0 winners - again with O'Donnell and Thomson grabbing the goals.

Media Coverage

Join Liam O'Brien and Phil Castiaux on Blyth Live from 2:45.