This article is a regular feature in the matchday programme. Due to printing deadlines it was omitted from this Saturday’s programme, rather than SpartansFans missing out we have decided to post the article up here.
I will start this article with a trivia question today. Which football league club are nicknamed the Bulls? (answer at the end of this page)
What a cracking game that was last week against AFC Telford. A good travelling support and a vocal home crowd made for an atmospheric match. The lads played well in all departments and could have scored s few more goals. Telford also missed a couple of chances in the 90 minutes but overall Blyth were the far better team. I wish we could have done the same in our previous FA cup encounter this season when we were held to a 0-0 draw last October. In the reply down at the New Bucks Head, we went out 4-0 so it was great to reverse that result last Saturday.
In January of this year we were down at Northwich Victoria, today’s opponents, and crashed 5-1 despite taking an early lead. Lets hope we can make amends for that defeat at today’s match. Northwich Victoria used to play at the Drillfield which was thought to be the oldest ground in the World. However they now play at the Victoria stadium which is just over the Canal opposite their fierce rivals Witton Albion. Both grounds are on an industrial estate right outside of Northwich and how they both manage to survive I do not know.
Talking of old grounds and old clubs I tried to see Sheffield FC two weeks ago when the Hinckley v Blyth game was off. I already had a train ticket so rather than waste it I went to Sheffield instead. I got to Dronfield (just outside Sheffield) and the game had been called off. The second time for me getting there to find the match postponed. Sheffield FC are the oldest club (not the oldest ground as they have had a nomadic existence) in the World and Blyth played them last year in the FA cup before the Shrewsbury game.
It was an unexpected and pleasant surprise to see Chris MaCabe at the match last week. Broken leg and crutches or not he was still here to get behind the lads. I for one and a few others I know will take our hats off to him for his commitment to the club. It will be next season before any comeback and I cannot wait to hear the cheer he will get once he graces the Croft Park turf again.
Last Tuesday we were away to Workington where we lost 3-1. It could have been worse as they missed a penalty. I do not think for one minute we were as bad as the result showed as Blyth must have had most possession in the match. We play them again this coming Tuesday so we have a quick chance to make amends. The clocks change to British summer time three weeks today and it will not be long until the season is over once more. Matches will be coming thick and fast now until the end of the season with games just about every midweek.
(Trivia answer-Hereford United.)
Enjoy the match and get right behind the team. Malcolm Stephenson (supporter)