Spartans make the journey to newly-promoted Warrington Town on Saturday afternoon for the first away fixture of the 2023/24 Vanarama National League North campaign.
Graham Fenton’s side made an excellent start to the season last weekend as JJ Hooper, Jordan Hickey, Nicky Deverdics and Lewis Knight scored a goal apiece to cap off a team performance against Gloucester City, winning 4-2 at Croft Park.
TICKET 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 online or £15 at the turnstiles
- Concessions (over 65) – £8 online or £10 at the turnstiles
- Under-16s – £3 online and at the turnstiles
A £1 booking fee transaction applies to online tickets.
TEAM NEWS
Harry Arnison was the only player to miss out due to injury last weekend – question marks remain as to whether the 21-year-old midfielder will be in contention to feature against The Yellows.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Jon Shaw post-Gloucester said: “I’ve been to Warrington quite a few times over the past few years with my previous club. We know what it’s like, we know it’s a hard place to go, they’re a good side, it’s a tough place to play, it’s a tough pitch to play on.
“We’ll prepare the lads as best as we possibly can for that and we’ve got full confidence we can go there and put another good performance in and hopefully get a positive result.”
OPPOSITION
Warrington Town won promotion to the National League North via the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs having finished second in the division on 77 points, eight points behind champions South Shields.
The Yellows initially defeated Matlock Town 4-1 in the semi-final before triumphing 1-0 over Bamber Bridge in the final courtesy of an Isaac Buckley-Ricketts 90th-minute goal.
They kickstarted their National League North campaign with a 4-0 win away to Southport.
Midfielder Luke Duffy, who scored in the 4-0 win against Southport, has recently departed to join Macclesfield, however, Warrington have acquired the signings of Aaron Bennett and Lewis Sinnott, with the latter being loaned out to a Northern Premier League side.
Warrington have also brought in the likes of Peter Clarke who has been vastly experienced within the Football League throughout his career as well as goalkeeper Dan Atherton and Matt Grivosti.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Manager Mark Beesley commented post-match last weekend: “A good start to the season, we’re pleased with that.
“To come to a ground like this (Haig Avenue), score four goals and keep a clean sheet is a good achievement for us and we’re happy in there, but it’s just the first game isn’t it, it’s a start and that’s it.”
Beesley also told the Warrington Guardian: “For me, there should be loads of supporters there giving the players a rousing ovation for the first home game after promotion.
“It will be good to see a full ground as best we can. We’ve got unbelievably talented footballers at this club – in my opinion, it’s the best there’s ever been here given the level we’re at. Come and join us – come and watch them.
“It’s not going to be perfect every week and there’s going to be bumps in the road, but come and enjoy it with us.”
LAST TIME WE MET
Spartans last faced Warrington Town in the 2016/17 season of the Evo-Stik Premier Division as goals from Luke Armstrong and Dan Maguire secured three points on the road, making it eight consecutive wins to the new year as the side would go on to win promotion to the Conference North after racking up 101 points.
MEDIA COVERAGE
You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms and Blyth Live on Mixlr too.