Preview | York City (h) | National league North | 21/22

Thursday, 3 February 2022

After three weeks away, Blyth Spartans return to home action as National League outfit York City make the trip to Croft Park.

Last time out Terry Mitchell's side won 1-0 away to Morpeth Town in the Northumberland Senior Cup, thanks to Connor Thomson strike mid-way through the second half.

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

Captain Nathan Buddle will be assessed ahead of Saturday, in what is otherwise a clean bill of health for Mitchell's side.

Opposition

John Askey's side currently sit two places ahead of Blyth in 15th place, but with at least two games in hand of many of the teams around them. They've struggled of late, with two bruising 3-0 defeats to both Kidderminster Harriers and Bradford PA in recent weeks. However, last weekend did see an improved performance against Gateshead.

The Minstermen salvaged a 1-1 draw with the league leaders at the LNER Community Stadium, with Clayton Donaldson grabbing a late goal to give the home side a well-earned point.

What We're Saying

Speaking after the clash with Morpeth, Mitchell spoke of the importance of not looking too far ahead in what is a busy month, "We're looking forward to the next couple of games (York and Gateshead), but York is the big focus. Our entire focus was on Morpeth, now we firmly have our eyes on the York game. We give every opponent our respect and plan each game as it comes.

We made four changes tonight, but It was just about freshening up, we've got lots of games, Saturday, Tuesday, then same the next week. We needed to use the squad but we've got some good players."

What They're Saying

Speaking after his side's draw with Gateshead, Askey was pleased to see a response from his side. "It was always going to be a difficult game but I thought we matched them on the day. We've got to push on now, we've had a week where things haven't gone well for us, but now we've got a week to prepare for Blyth.

I think whoever you play in this league, as long as your attitude is right, with the quality we've got, if we have everyone fit we have a chance of winning every game."

Last Time We Met

The teams last met at the end of November in the FA Trophy, as Spartans lost 1-0 away at the LNER Community Stadium. That followed a 4-0 defeat there in the league a month earlier.

It's fair to say that Blyth's recent run against is a miserable, having lost seven out of their last eight matches, and are currently on a run of six straight defeats.

Spartans last win came in December 2017 as Greg Rutherford, Adam Wrightson and current Spartan Sean Reid led Blyth to a 3-2 win at Bootham Crescent.

Media Coverage

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

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