By Stephen Burton
Blyth Spartans take a break from league action this weekend as they travel to the LNER Community Stadium to take on York City in the FA Trophy second round.
Blyth will be buoyed after they ended a nine game losing streak with a 1-0 home win over Guiseley, under interim-boss Michael Barron. Sean Reid, on his 200th Spartans appearance, grabbed the only goal of the game as they earned a vital three points to move from the foot of the National League North table.
OPPOSITION
York’s own interim-boss John Askey, saw his side slip to a disappointing home defeat to Kettering last time out in his first game in charge. The Minstermen have inconsistent start to the campaign and currently sit in midtable in National League North.
The 2017 Trophy winners have lost their last two home games, with their last victory being the 4-0 win against Blyth at the end of October.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
Speaking to BSFCTV after the victory over Guiseley, Barron said, “It’s good, I’m pleased for the lads. They’ve worked hard and never stopped working hard when Nelse was here. I’m pleased for the fans and the rest of the staff, it’s always hard when you’ve been on a losing streak.
As soon as Alex saved it (the penalty), it galvanised the team and gave us more impetus and gave us a big lift.
First half I thought we were a bit shaky but second half we were more solid and the last ten minutes I thought we defended really well.”
The interim boss was also full of praise for the fans who he felt helped the team to the three points. “At half-time I didn’t think we played particularly well, but we were in the game and we got a good round of applause. But at full-time it was like we won the World Cup! To celebrate one win like that was magnificent and it was nice for them to be able to go home with their heads held higher than recent weeks.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Speaking to the York City media team, Askey said: “I’m very disappointed in the performance, we must do better. We gave ourselves a lot to do going 2-0 down, but we didn’t produce enough. I want people who are going to compete, and first and foremost, work hard.
Cup games always give you a chance, it’s all about performance on the day. It’s a chance to get to a final, if you win a few games all of a sudden you’re there.”
LAST TIME WE MET
As mentioned, Blyth’s last trip to York was a miserable 4-0 defeat in the league at the end of October.
Overall Blyth have endured a miserable run against York, with six defeats out of the last seven games with just a solitary win. Blyth are currently on a run of five straight defeats, and haven’t managed a goal in any of them.
That 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.