Blyth Spartans or Goole will play host to NPL Premier Division side Halesowen Town in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday 12th November.
Should Spartans see off the Vikings at the second time of asking on Tuesday evening, their reward will be a home tie against Midlands opposition. Halesowen made it through to the next stage of the competition with a 2-1 victory at ten-man Rushall Olympic, Jordan Goddard netting the winner after Marlon Walters’ dismissal.
The two teams have already squared off this season, with Spartans running riot at The Grove back in August. Matty Pattison had already opened the scoring prior to Daniel Bragoli’s dismissal on the stroke of half-time, and the visitors took full advantage thereafter, with further goals from Pattison, Ryan Hutchinson and Daniel Maguire (2) helping Blyth coast to victory.
To set up a November tie against the Yeltz, Alun Armstrong’s men must first overcome Goole, who proved a stern test at the weekend. Bobby Johnson’s second-half spot kick cancelled out Matthew Wade’s opener – a sublime curling strike from twenty yards – and the Vikings will arrive on Northumbrian shores full of confidence after Saturday’s performance.
The First Qualifying Round replay will be held at Croft Park on Tuesday 1st November, 7.45pm kick-off.