Preview | Kettering Town (h) | National League North | 21/22

Blyth Spartans will be looking to bounce back from their midweek derby defeat as Kettering Town make the trip to Croft Park.

Terry Mitchell's side had an evening to forget at the International Stadium on Tuesday as Gateshead ran out 3-0 winners, as well as seeing Rhys Evans and Michael Liddle having to leave the pitch due to injuries.

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

Evans and Liddle are both doubtful after both being forced off due to injury against Gateshead.

Opposition

Kettering currently occupy the last of the play-off places with 36 points, with the Poppies unbeaten in their last four matches. It caps a good start under new manager Ian Culverhouse who only took charge of the club in mid-January, and has just experienced on defeat in his first five matches.

Last time out they played out a goalless draw away to Alfreton Town on Tuesday night. The blustery conditions led to a scrappy game with both sides mustering just the one shot on target between them during the 90 minutes.

What We're Saying

Assistant manager Graeme Coulson spoke after Blyth's defeat to Gateshead. "Well you have to be honest, the better team won. We started second-half well and created some chances, but we conceded the second goal and that killed us. Injuries can happen, so it's no excuse, we need to be better and we need to learn to adapt as a team.

We talk about it as a squad all the time, you're going to go through adversity in a game of football, and throughout the season. It's about how you react as a management team, and how you as players react to get through it. We need to stay together and we go again Thursday in training to get ready for Kettering on Saturday."

What They're Saying

Speaking after the draw against Alfreton, Culverhouse was at getting a point on the road, "Once the game was flowing we were very good. I thought our backline was superb. Overall I'm really pleased for the boys, we've come away from home and ground out a result.

It's a hell of a long trip (to Blyth) and an early start for us, but we'll go there in good spirits that's for sure."

Last Time We Met

The sides last met in November, with Kettering running out 4-0 winners at Latimer Park.

Prior to that, the teams last met in December 2020 when the hosts won 2-1, as Kurt Russell grabbed a late consolation for Spartans.

The season before in November 2019, the sides played out a remarkable 4-4 draw. Spartans led 3-0 at the break through a Callum Roberts double and a Ryan Hutchinson strike. Then, despite Roberts completing his hattrick, the hosts mounted a heroic second-half comeback and snatched a dramatic point in injury time.

Media Coverage

Join Niall Bromley and Phil Castiaux on Blyth Live from 2:45.

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