Preview | North Shields FC (a) | Techflow Marine Northumberland Senior Cup | 22/23

By Ben Lightfoot

At the third time of asking Blyth Spartans are finally set to start their Northumberland Senior Cup defence at the Daren Persson Stadium as they face North Shields in the quarter-finals.

The Spartans, who have won the Senior Cup 22 times, won their third game in a row following a 1-0 victory against AFC Telford United on Saturday.

Ticket Information

Tickets can be purchased at the gate and it is cash only, prices are as follows:

• Adults - £9
• Concessions - £6
• Juniors - £3

Team News

Spartans remain without long-term absentees Nathan Buddle and Lewis McNall. JJ O'Donnell will be assessed but otherwise there are no new injury concerns.

Blyth however still face selection issues, as a cup registration rules means that several first-team players will be ineligible.

Opposition

North Shields currently play in the Northern Premier League - East division and place 13th in the league table.

The Robins, who have won three of their last four fixtures, won 3-0 at home against Pontefract Collieries as Callum Larmouth scored twice and Nathan Kidd joined on the scoresheet.

What We're Saying

Following three wins in a row for the first time since April 2019, Graham Fenton said: "[Delighted] with the result, not with the performance.

"But listen, at this stage of the season we're talking about it with the lads we want to do certain things within the game, but by hook or by crook we want to come away with three points and start climbing the table and that's what the lads have done.

"So I don't want to pick the bones out a bit at the minute other than saying well done to them and the fact they can get on a bus at 8 o'clock this morning and travel. It's an unbelievable effort to do that, to get three points away from home from a team, yes they're at the bottom of the league, but they are fighting and scraping for everything and we had to dig in.

"We got lucky today there are no two ways about it with their chance in the first half where Rhys [Evans] had made a little mistake even though he was very very good today and then the penalty of Alex's [Mitchell] save, so we're delighted with the win, but we got away with it I think."

Last Time We Met

The Spartans and Robins faced each other in a pre-season friendly in August at the Daren Persson Stadium, where North Shields managed to win 2-1.

The sides last met in the Northumberland Senior Cup final back in 2017 where Blyth managed a 3-2 win.

Media Coverage

Unfortunately there'll be no Blyth Live, however, you can follow the game via our social media platforms.