Trafford vs Blyth Spartans – Match Preview

EVOSTIK PREMIER DIVISION
Venue: Shawe View, Flixton (M41 5DL)
Date: Tuesday 21st April 2015
Kick Off: 19:45

SCORE UPDATES / MATCH COMMENTARY
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ADMISSION
£8.00 for Adults
£4.00 for Concessions
£1 Under 18’s

DIRECTIONS
– Head soundbound on the A1 and take the junction 42 exit towards Manchester/Bradford
– Continue onto the M60
– At junction 10, turn off towards Urmston, at the roundabout, take the third exit onto Barton Road
– Go over one roundabout and on the next one, take the third exit onto Hayeswater Road
– 0.5 miles ahead turn right onto Moorside Road
– At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Bowfell Road
– Turn left onto Flixton Road
– Take first right onto Pennybridge Road, the ground is on your left

TEAM NEWS
Earlier in the season when Trafford visited Croft Park in December, Spartans were recovering from a famous 2-1 win at Hartlepool 4 days previously, which also saw Blyth sitting in the bottom half of the league table. Four months later and it’s a different picture for Tom Wade’s side, who still mathematically can finish 3rd but may Blyth fans will not be too bothered where we finish, whether it be in the bronze position or 5th, the last playoff position come 4:45pm on Saturday afternoon. Tonight’s fixture is vital for the outcome of Saturday’s fate, with four points required to catch the leading pack, with six remaining up for grabs.

Dan Maguire’s ‘gifted goals’ on Saturday at Witton Albion lifted him up to 21 league goals this year, he will be looking to contribute once more as he goes hunting for a highest finish in the Evo Stik Premier Division goal scoring charts. Sunday night saw captain Robbie Dale named Player of the Season, voted by the league’s managers. He will be looking to show everybody why exactly he won his reward with another great performance. Craig Lynch scored his first Blyth Spartans goal on the road on the weekend, he will be hoping his showing at Witton Albion impressed Tom Wade to maybe give him a starting position. A Blyth win would see us move to within one point of Ilkeston, with one game remaining. Ashton United also play tonight, at home to Witton Albion, a win for them will secure a play off spot, leaving two up for grabs. A defeat for Spartans certifies the play offs to the current teams.

OPPOSITION MANAGER
Graham Heathcote – Took over the club in January, failed to keep the Manchester side away from relegation. This will be his last home game as manager as he is due to retire at the end of the season.

DANGER MAN
Mark Derbyshire – the Trafford man has scored two goals in the last three, including one in the 3-1 win over Grantham Town on Saturday.

LAST TIME WE MET
Blyth Spartans 1-0 Trafford – 9th December 2014
http://blythspartansafc.co.uk/new_php/?p=11891

RECORD AGAINST OPPOSITION
Played – 4
Won – 2
Lost – 2
Drew – 0

Scored – 4
Conceded – 5

MUTUAL FRIENDS
Steve Raffell

OFFICIALS
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Assistants: Daniel Bruce & Christopher Clarke

Posted by BSAFC Admin