Stafford Rangers(h) Match Preview

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

After Wednesday's heavy defeat away to Worksop Town, Spartans will be hoping to make the most of home comforts as they return to Croft Park to face Stafford Rangers. Paddy Atkinson and everyone connected with the club will be looking for a reaction following the embarrassing loss to the Tigers and look to make it four games unbeaten on their home patch.

Craig Farrell returned to the starting lineup after being unavailable for the home win over Frickley Athletic last Saturday but Atkinson will be without the injured Jordon Mellish, who is still suffering from the facial injury sustained in the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Workington in late September. News is awaited on the fitness of winger Damon Mullen. Carl Jones(above) made his first start for two months in the midweek defeat at Worksop and also scored his first goal for the club in the process.

Stafford Rangers currently sit one place above Spartans in thirteenth position with eighteen points from their fourteen games. Their away form has seen them turn into draw specialists with four draws in their seven away fixtures in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. Their only away win coming at Worksop Town in mid September whilst they have been beaten at Frickley Athletic and Marine. Just like Spartans top scorer Craig Farrell, Rangers top scorer Danny Quinn has seven league goals this season although Quinn has two penalties to Farrell's one in his tally.

Spartans in quotes

Paddy Atkinson-

"In terms of Saturday it is down to the players and it's in their heads. Some of us might not be here, some will be, but we need players who will die for the cause and show the fans what it means to us to play for this club."

Weather Info:

Cold, wet and chilly

Match info

Last time out:

Wed 31st Oct ESNPL: Worksop Town 8-1 Blyth Spartans(Jones)

Tues 30th Oct ENSPL: Stafford Rangers(Quinn) 1-0 Chorley

Previous Meeting:

13/02/2010 Conference North Blyth Spartans(Pell, Graham) 2-2 Stafford Rangers
Spartans side: Mark Bell , Steve Harrison, John Brackstone, Michael Tait, Gareth Williams, Darren Craddock, Chris McCabe, Mark Doninger, Paul Brayson, Ian Graham, Robbie Dale Subs: Kenny Boyle, John Alexander

Odds Checker

Match Odds:

Blyth Spartans 11/10, Draw 13/5, Stafford Rangers 17/10 (Paddy Power)

Spartans on this day:

03 Nov 1906 East Northumberland League: Choppington St Pauls A 1-0 Harrison
03 Nov 1920 Aged Miners Homes Cup: Preston Colliery A 1-1 Donaldson
03 Nov 1923 North Eastern League: Scotswood A 0-1
03 Nov 1928 North Eastern League: Hartlepool United Reserves H 4-3 Duffell, Sanderson, Graham, Richmond (p)
03 Nov 1934 North Eastern League North Shields H 5-1 Gill 3, Kennedy, Robinson
03 Nov 1951 North Eastern League: Ashington A 0-2
03 Nov 1956 FA Cup 4th Qual: Annfield Plain H 3-0 Sowden, Machin, Langland
03 Nov 1962 FA Cup 1st Round: Morecambe H 2-1 R Smith, A Smith
03 Nov 1973 FA Cup 4th Qual: Netherfield H 2-0 Lister (p), Slane
03 Nov 1979 FA Cup 4th Qual: Marine H 2-2 L Mutrie, Houghton
03 Nov 1981 NL Cup 1: Consett H 1-1(3-2 pens) Rafferty
03 Nov 1990 Northern League Division 1: Ferryhill Athletic A 1-2 Cuggy
03 Nov 1992 Northern League Division 1: Ferryhill Athletic H 7-0 Howie 2, Middleton, N Walker 2, Plaskett, Teasdale
03 Nov 2001 FA Trophy 1st Round: Burscough H 2-0 Robson 2
03 Nov 2007 Conference North: Kettering Town A 0-1

Don't forget to pick up your match programme for all of the information on our visitors, an interview with Spartans' newest centurion Wayne Buchanan and the usual columns from Paddy Atkinson, Ian Evans and Malcolm Stevenson as well as the match report from last weeks win over Frickley Athletic