Preview | Southport (a) | National League North | 21/22

By Ben Lightfoot

After a postponed game the weekend at Guiseley due to Storm Eunice, Blyth Spartans travel to Southport on Tuesday night as they look to bounce back from four successive defeats.

Last time out Terry Mitchell's side slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Kettering Town. After going behind to an early goal, Robbie Dale levelled the scores with a deflected free-kick, before the visitors got what proved to be the winner just before the break.

Ticket Information

Tickets can be purchased with cash on the gate, alternatively they can be purchased online here.

Admission prices are as follows:

• Adults - £15 Seated/£13.50 Standing
• Concessions (over 65s) - £11 Seated/£10 Standing
• Under 18s - £5
• Under 11s - Free with paying adult

Team News

Michael Liddle and Rhys Evans both missed out last weekend's clash and will miss Tuesday's trip, as will Jordan Watson who was forced off at half-time in the defeat to Kettering and will be out for the next few weeks. Karl Byrne will miss the next game through a groin injury but is hopeful for a return to action on the weekend at home to Flyde.

Milestone

If he plays, it'll be Nicky Deverdics' 75th appearance in a Spartans shirt.

Opposition

The Sandgrounders currently sit sixth in the National League North and are pushing to secure a playoff spot by the end of the season, however they have struggled in recent weeks with just one win in their last five league matches.

Manager and director, Liam Watson, saw his side draw 0-0 with Curzon Ashton last time out.

What We're Saying

Speaking after the defeat to Kettering Town last Saturday, Mitchell said, "we had two injuries from Gateshead, we have seven games in February and we've got to keep freshening the squad up. We'll take it game by game."

Vice-captain JJ O'Donnell added, "We want to have a strong finish to the season, we don't want to be involved in a relegation battle. As the manager says we want to try and send our fans home happy, unfortunately over the last few games we haven't been able to do that."

Last Time We Met

The sides met in December, in what was a 2-1 defeat at home for the Spartans, with Michael Liddle scoring the only Blyth goal on the day.

Blyth's last trip to The Pure Stadium was in December 2019 where the Spartans lost 2-0 in the National League North through two second-half goals.

Blyth's last win against Southport came in April of 2019 in a 2-1 win at home through a Robbie Dale double during the 2018/19 National League North campaign.

Media Coverage

Join Niall Bromley and Craig Dobson on Blyth Live from 7:30pm.

Alternatively, you can follow the game on our social media channels.