Match Preview | Prescot Cables (A) | Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division | 2024/25

Blyth Spartans resumes Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division action as they face Prescot Cables

The Spartans advanced to the Second Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Wednesday evening as the defeated Campion AFC 3-1 after extra time thanks to two goals from Joao Gomes and one from Harry Gardiner.

MATCHDAY 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 – £12
  • Concessions – £8
  • Under 18s – £5

Directions to Auto Safety Centre Stadium – L34 6HB – from Croft Park – NE24 3JE – 182 miles, 3 hours 45 minutes.

Start at Croft Park, Blyth, NE24 3JE and take  A189, A19 and Leam Lane/A194 to A194(M) in Tyne and Wear – 16.4 miles, 25 minutes.

Then take A1(M) and M62 to Liverpool Road/A57 in Prescot. Take exit 2 from M57 – 165 miles, 2 hours 41 minutes.

And follow A57 to Eaton Street and arrive at the Auto Safety Centre Stadium – Prescot Cables – L34 6HB – 1.1 miles, 4 minutes.

TEAM NEWS

Harrison Clark and Ryan Donaldson will likely miss out. Lucas Reed, Dan Savage and Michael Woods are close to a return.

New signing Greg Halford is in contention to make his debut for the club on Saturday.

WHAT WE’RE SAYING

After defeating Campion after extra time, David Stockdale said: “I walked into the dressing room after the game and the lads were having a little chat and it didn’t sound like we won the game.

“And it was the first win in 200-odd days and the first thing I said to the lads was I wrote off all the stats from the home performances in 2024 and said that wasn’t going to manage anymore.

“The football we played on Saturday wasn’t what I wanted, but I understood what Campion was going to do and the pitch it was going to be so I can understand the frustration from Saturday.

“But we’ve been planning all week to play like that because that’s what I want to play like because we’ve got the players for it and with a few additions and a few back from injury we will be marching on.”

David Stockdale’s post-match assessment of Wednesday’s FA Cup victory over Campion AFC

OPPOSITION

Prescot Cables were promoted to the NPL Premier Division following winning the playoffs of the NPL Division One West, where they defeated Bootle 1-0 after extra time in the semi-finals and City of Liverpool 2-0 in the final.

However, in the NPL Premier Division, they currently occupy the first place of the relegation places, sitting 21st in the league standings having won just one game this season, when they defeated Warrington Rylands 1-0 during the Bank Holiday Monday fixtures.

In their last game, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle Benfield in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

LAST TIME WE MET

The sides last met in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the season when Blyth won the league with 89 points, in March 2006 at Croft Park, when Blyth Spartans emerged 2-0 winners.

In the reverse fixture at Valerie Park, Blyth Spartans secured victory on the road as they won 3-1.

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.

Posted by Ben Lightfoot