Preview | Rushall Olympic (A) | National League North | 2023/24

Blyth Spartans take on newly promoted side Rushall Olympic for the first time this season on Saturday afternoon.

In their last match, the Spartans lost 3-2 at Croft Park to Peterborough Sports after a 85th-minute winner from Dion Sembie-Ferris sealed a victory for the Turbines.

Ticket Information

Matchday admission prices are, as follows:

• Adult (aged 18-60) - £14 (*£13.50)
• Concession (seniors over 60, 16-17 year-olds, students with valid NUS card, Emergency Services, NHS staff and Armed Forces with a Blue Light Card and other valid ID) - £10 (*£9.50)
• U16 -£6 (*£5.50)
• U12 - £2 (*£1.50)

*All price categories are subject to a 50p reduction if tickets are purchased online before 1pm on matchday: https://rushallolympicfc.ktckts.com/event/rso2324h11/v-blyth-spartans

We retain the right to ask for ID on our turnstiles, so please purchase your online tickets in the correct age categories, otherwise, there will be an extra charge and admission can be refused.

Matchday Hospitality in The Allen Suite is available to away supporters at £50 for adults and £25 for U12s.

Once inside the stadium, the Clubhouse (situated to your right as you enter via the turnstiles) has recently been refurbished and boasts a stylish and modern look. It is accessible for all home and away supporters.

The Pics Pantry serves delicious hot food plus snacks and refreshments (cash only here), whilst the Club Shop (situated to the left of the turnstiles as you enter the stadium) offers a range of merchandise and memorabilia. We have a printed Matchday Programme on sale for £3.

The nearest Railway Station is Walsall, which is situated 3.4 miles away. The 997 bus between Walsall and Birmingham passes by the stadium.

Team News

Harry Arnison was withdrawn from the starting line-up last Saturday in the warm up ahead of the clash against Peterborough Sports at Croft Park, and his availability for this weekend's trip is uncertain.

There is no update on JJ Hooper's current fitness.

Charlie Aitken has joined Whickham FC on a dual-registration deal.

What We're Saying

Following Saturday's defeat to Peterborough Sports, Graham Fenton said: "I would just like to start off by apologising to the supporters who paid good money to come and watch that first-half performance. It was disgusting, nothing short.

"We had, by my account, four players who were at the level we needed them to be and whenever you do that, you have no chance against any team at this level.

"We were poor, we deserved to be in at the break, we created a really good chance at the end of the half, but they were the better team. They looked sharper, quicker, more thoughtful in the first half."

Graham Fenton's post-match assessment of Saturday's 3-2 loss to Peterborough Sports

Opposition

Rushall Olympic sit 20th in the National League North table, level points with Blyth in 19th, with 24 points with a goal difference of minus three leaving them below the Spartans who have a goal difference of one.

In their last outing, Liam McDonald's side drew 1-1 at home to Chester, in a match which saw both sides score a second-half penalty as the points were shared.

What They're Saying

After a second draw in a row, Liam McDonald said: "I thought it was a good game with two good footballing teams.

"We knew it was going to be difficult with the turnover from Boston to Darlington to tonight against a couple of teams that are full-time, so we knew it was going to be difficult.

"I'm just disappointed with the start to the second half, possibly their change in shape, just for that sort of period of time we didn't settle and they scored then, we changed shape then scored and I thought we deserved what we got out of the game."

Liam McDonald's post-match assessment of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Curzon Ashton

Last Time We Met

The sides last met in April 2017 in the Northern Premier League, Premier Division as Blyth Spartans won 1-0 after Dan Maguire scored the only goal of the game after eight minutes.

At Croft Park earlier that season Blyth managed a 2-1 win over Rushall Olympic as Jarrett Rivers scored an injury-time winner to secure three points against the Pics.