Spartans are on cup duty again this weekend as they play the first of a double header of cup fixtures when they make a second trip of the season to the Help for Heroes Stadium, home of fellow Evo-Stik Northern Premier League side Witton Albion. Tommy Cassidy’s men will be looking to put right the wrongs of the opening day 1-2 defeat as they open their FA Trophy campaign with a Qualifying Round match against Albion.
Cassidy will look to name all of his recent acquisitions for the trip to Cheshire. Recent signings Callum Hassan, Martin Brittain and Neal Hooks will also be in contention. Robbie Dale(pictured) will return to the ground where he brought up a century of goals in a Spartans shirt in that defeat earlier in the season.
Witton Albion come into the game in good form, losing only one of their eight games so far this season. They currently sit only two places above Spartans in the league in ninth position. Their only defeat of the league season came at the hands of Chorley, who beat Albion 3-1 at the Help for Heroes Stadium. Although they were knocked out of the FA Cup with a 2-4 loss at Kendal Town last Saturday.
Spartans in quotes
Conor Grant- “I wouldn’t say revenge as such, but we gave a poor account of ourselves that day and we’re relishing the chance to put that right. I’m looking forward to it, it’s nice to get a break from league games every now and then. Cup games have a different vibe to them and we’ll look to use that to our advantage.”
Weather Info:
Partially cloudy but a bit chilly, quite the contrast from the first day of the season
Match info
Last time out:
Sat 22nd Sept FA Cup 2nd Qual Rd: Blyth Spartans(Berj 90+3) 1-1 Workington
Sat 22nd Sept FA Cup 2nd Qual Rd: Kendal Town 4-2 Witton Albion(Stott 1 and 23)
Previous Meeting:
Sat 18th August ESNPL: Witton Albion(Tuck 10, Gardner pen 90+3) 2-1 Blyth Spartans(Dale 14)
Odds Checker
Match Odds:
To follow
Match Day: Spartans on this day
29 September 1906 Tynemouth Infirmary Cup Bedlington United A 1-2 Williamson (p)
29 September 1923 North Eastern League Carlisle United H 2-0 G Pyke 2
29 September 1928 FA Cup 1st Qual Walker Celtic A 2-0 Hepple, Sanderson
29 September 1934 North Eastern League West Stanley H 2-1 Dunmore, Gill
29 September 1945 Northern Combination Parsons Athletic H 3-0 Yeowart 2, Dodds
29 September 1951 FA Cup 1st Qual Newburn A 1-1 J Turney
29 September 1956 North Eastern League Consett H 2-0 McHale 2
29 September 1962 NELCC Carlisle United Reserves A 3-4 Hogg, A Smith 2
29 September 1971 Northern League Penrith H 2-1 A Young, Alder
29 September 1973 Northern League Billingham Synthonia H 2-0 Scott, Dagless
29 September 1976 Northern League North Shields A 1-1 Dagless
29 September 1979 Northern League Bishop Auckland H 1-1 L Mutrie
29 September 1981 Northern League Durham City H 4-1 Dunn, Brown, I Mutrie 2
29 September 1994 Northern League Division 1 Ferryhill Athletic H 5-2 Hart, Robinson, McFadden, Cartwright 2
29 September 1990 FA Cup 2nd Qual Accrington Stanley A 1-2 N Walker
29 September 1997 NPL Premier Division Emley A 1-1 Pike
29 September 1998 NPL Premier Division Emley H 0-2
29 September 2001 FA Cup 2nd Qual Eccleshill United H 5-0 Radigan, Innes, Stewart, Robson 2
29 September 2007 FA Cup 2nd Qual Radcliffe Borough H 2-1 Forster, McCabe