Preview | South Shields (H) | National League North | 2023/24

Blyth Spartans face South Shields for the second time in five days, this time closing out 2023 at Croft Park.

The Spartans defeated South Shields 3-1 on boxing day, which elevated Blyth up to 14th in the National League North.

With Graham Fenton being relieved of his managerial duties at the Club, Jon Shaw has been appointed as first-team manager on a contract running until the end of the 2024/25 campaign. Subsequently, he called time on his playing career and will take charge of his first game since stepping up from his prior assistant manager role to lead the team as the Club's manager.

Ticket Information

You can buy tickets with cash or card at the gate on the day or online here. All ticket information is as follows:

• Adults - £15 standing
• Concessions (over 65) - £9
• 11-16 Years & Students - £6
• Under-10s are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

To be seated in the Port of Blyth main stand, an extra £2 cost will be incurred for each category.

Segregation will be in place, meaning away fans must only enter the ground via the Plessey Road turnstiles with the entrance situated next to Gino's Fish and Chip shop, as access to other areas of Croft Park will not be permitted.

If any away fan requires a seated ticket or disability access, please notify [email protected] or speak to a steward at the gate.

Team News

Lewis Knight, Harry Arnison, Alex Mitchell and JJ O'Donnell who will face a spell on the sidelines with a shoulder injury will be unavailable due to injury for Saturday's encounter.

A late decision will be made on the fitness of Mikael Ndjoli who was withdrawn during Boxing Day's 3-1 win over South Shields.

What We're Saying

After defeating the Mariners at the 1st Cloud Arena, assistant manager Jon Shaw said: "It's a place I know very well, it's a very well-run club and an expensive squad accumulated and they're good and you have to be wary of that.

"I spent a lot of Christmas Day yesterday, looking at them and seeing how we can play our game against them and the lads were absolutely outstanding.

"Probably didn't expect the scoreline in the first half, you know I'm sure people in the ground would say we probably could have got another couple of goals by halftime, so the credit to the players is as high as I can possibly give."

Opposition

The Mariners dropped to eighth in the National League North following their 3-1 defeat to Blyth Spartans at the 1st Cloud Arean in what would be Julio Arca's last game in charge before his departure.

Elliott Dickman will take charge of South Shields in their travels to Croft Park following the departure of Julio Arca and his assistant Tommy Miller.

He will be assisted by Lee Picton, the Club's sporting director, along with goalkeeping coach Phil Naisbett and head of medical and physiotherapy Andrew Morris.

What They're Saying

In a recent update provided by South Shields ahead of their trip to Croft Park, Elliot Dickman said: "We've had some good conversations with the group, collectively and individually.

"The conversations have been productive and hopefully that will help us to improve and get the team back to the level it was at earlier in the season.

"The group is very talented. There are some really good players here and it has been a difficult time in terms of results.

"We need to try to help build confidence within the group and from what we've seen in training, they're definitely responding positively."

Read the full article here.

Last Time We Met

On Boxing Day, the Spartans ran riot in the 1st Cloud Area as they defeated The Mariners 3-1 as Nicky Deverdics, Cedric Main and Finn Cousin-Dawson all scored for Blyth within 35 minutes before Paul Blackett grabbed a consolation goal in the 87th minute.

Media Coverage

You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms and BlythLive on Mixlr from 2:45 pm.