By Ben Lightfoot
Blyth Spartans host third-place Kings Lynn Town in the National League North at Croft Park.
The festive period wasn’t too nice to the Spartans as North East rivals Spennymoor Town did the double over Blyth on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
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.
CLUBHOUSE
The Spartans Clubhouse will be open as usual from 12pm, with Shy’s Pies on sale courtesy of the Green Army.
Newcastle United’s FA Cup tie away to Sheffield Wednesday will also be screened in the Clubhouse after the match, kick off is at 6pm.
TEAM NEWS
There are no fresh injury concerns, but Spartans remain without Nathan Buddle and Lewis McNall, wth the fitness of Rhys Evans, Jack Bodenham, Alex Nicholson and Michael Liddle to be assessed. Jordan Hickey returns following his suspension.
OPPOSITION
The Linnets currently place third in the league table, just three points off leaders Darlington, however, Kings Lynn have four games in hand on the Quakers.
Kings Lynn have won three of their last five league outings, with two of their wins being against rival Boston United over the Christmas period.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
After back-to-back defeats against Spennymoor, Graham Fenton said: “Yeah, obviously massively frustrated because we played better than we did on Monday, lots of improvement in different areas, but ultimately it’s a waste of time all that effort if you can’t defend set-pieces.
“So, we’ve been dug out by two set pieces, conceded and at the other end we’ve been in so many good situations and we just cannot have player thought processes to pick the right pass, the right run, the right finish, the right cross whatever it might be.
“We are just lacking that killer instinct to go and score two, three, four because it was there today to go and do, we played through the thirds well at times, once we got to grips with the shape they’ve obviously changed and lots of pleasing stuff, but like I say what’s the point if you get beat.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
After his side won both fixtures in the Wash Derby, Tommy Widdrington said: “Brilliant end to the year, excellent start to the year, we just have to try and keep, like we’ve been really good at home for some time now, so we’ve got to keep doing that, we’ve got to keep moving the points up now at home and like I said to you on Boxing Day we have to take things where to performance warrants.
“I didn’t think we warranted anything from Farsley Celtic, I did think we deserved to win the game at Boston and we got to Blyth in good spirit.”
LAST TIME WE MET
The sides met at the beginning of the season at The Walks where Kings Lynn got the upper hand over Blyth after a 2-0 was secured by Gold Omotayo and Theo Widdrington.
Last time at Croft Park in January 2020, the Spartans suffered a 3-0 defeat against Kings Lynn after two early goals from Adam Marriot and Rory McAuley’s second-half strike left the travelling side with three points.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Join Ben Lightfoot and Phil Castiaux on Blyth Live from 2:45.
Alternatively, you can follow the game via our social media platforms.