BY Liam O’Brien
In association with LV BET
Blyth Spartans host Southport at Croft Park this Saturday in their second home game of the 2020-21 National League North season.
Spartans will be hoping to put the heavy defeat 6-1 at Gloucester City behind them and instead take some positives from their last match in Northumberland, where they earned a hard-fought point against AFC Telford United.
INJURY NEWS
Olly Scott and Rhys Evans are out of this weekend’s clash after picking up injuries last weekend at Gloucester.
Liam Agnew and Paul Blackett are 50/50 – both with a slim chance of featuring against The Port.
THE OPPOSITION
Liam Watson’s Southport side are unbeaten in the league so far.
Southport drew their first game at home 0-0 against Hereford then beat Chorley 1-0 at home last weekend.
They have also visited the North East twice in the FA Cup. Watson’s men beat Morpeth Town 2-1 at home in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round before being knocked out on penalties by South Shields at home.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
Michael Nelson, looking at Southport this season, said “They’re a little bit different from what they were last year.
“We played them first game of the season at Gateshead and they were very direct, got a long throw which they still have. They also got balls into the box very quick, back to front very quickly as well.
“Looking at them this year, you know they’re getting it down and playing it out from the back and they’re playing a bit more football.
“They’ve got a good mix this year compared to last year. They’re not one dimensional, they got a good mix about them. It should be a good game.”
You can watch the gaffer’s full pre-match interview in full.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Southport manager Liam Watson, speaking after their 1-0 win against Chorley, said: “Look, it’s a game isn’t it. I’ve been beaten five and six but won the next game, so I’m reading nothing into that.”
LAST TIME WE MET
When Spartans faced Southport at Croft Park last season, they lost 4-1.
Bradley Bauress, David Morgan, Jack Sampson and Ryan Astles got the goals for Southport.
Evans was on the scoresheet for Blyth that day and you’ll be able to listen to him on commentary duty this weekend.
MATCH PROGRAMME
Issue 2 of our matchday programme SPARTANS is available via our online club store now for just £1!
LIVE STREAMING
Our live streaming coverage will begin from 2:45pm – where Kieran Carr will be joined by Blyth Spartans right-back Rhys Evans.
Passes are priced at £8. To watch, all you need to do is register with Insight4 – if you haven’t done so already – and purchase the game via the link below.