Emley AFC v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 14 February 2026 - 15:00 | League

Spartans will be looking to play their first league match since January 24 after three consecutive postponements.

Despite sitting at the bottom of the league, Blyth have games in hand on the teams above them and will be looking to rediscover the form they had shown through January.

The gap to safety has stretched to six points due to the Spartans' lack of games over the last three weeks, but a big away win could halve the deficit on Saturday afternoon.

Matchday Information

• Adults - £8
• Concessions - £5
• Under 11s - £1

The Hosts: Emley AFC

The hosts find themselves third in the NPL East, having played fewer games than the teams below them and look certain to be in the playoff positions at the end of the season.

The West Yorkshire outfit has been in fine form recently, and they remain unbeaten in 2026, winning three out of their four games played.

Emley AFC have scored eleven goals and kept two clean sheets across that period, showing their extensive ability at both ends of the pitch. Their potent attack, combined with steel and solidity in defence, has caused them to be an awkward opponent for many teams this season.

The Visitors: Blyth Spartans

Blyth have to turn to their away form once again in their search for safety in the NPL East, having won two of their last three on the road.

Spartans played out a well-earned stalemate against Emley earlier in the season at Croft Park, with neither side able to make a breakthrough over the 90 minutes.

Marc Nash's side will be looking to go one further in this match with the attacking threat they have shown since the turn of the year.

Last Time Out: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Emley AFC

Blyth came into the match on the back of four consecutive league defeats and were instantly put under pressure by the visitors as Manasse Mampala raced into the 18-yard box looking to fire past Callum Dobson, but could only blaze his effort high over the bar.

Emley posed a threat from set pieces in the first half, with their physicality playing a big part in the Spartans' area. Dobson was alert to corners, making three vital saves to keep Blyth level.

Spartans' best opportunity from the opening 45 fell to Charlie Wood, a deep cross was met at the back post by Wood, forcing the goalkeeper to spill the ball in the goalmouth, but Blyth were unable to capitalise, and the tie remained level at half-time.

Half Time: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Emley AFC

Spartans looked more dangerous at the beginning of the second half with chances falling to Jake Dobinson and Benji Shodeinde, but the visitors were able to clear their lines and keep the score level.

Emley grew into the second half and created a wonderful opportunity, a ball across the six-yard box was not capitalised on by the forwards, and Jesse Gomez poked the ball clear, freeing Spartans from falling behind.

Both sides pushed for a winner late into the second half, with Spartans having a corner desperately tipped away by the visiting goalkeeper, and Gomez denied Mampala of a one-on-one with Dobson at the other end. The game remained a stalemate at full-time in Northumberland.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Emley AFC

Team News

Defenders Paddy McClafferty and Andy Evans have picked up injuries and join Noah Millington on the sidelines for Blyth as they prepare to make the trip to West Yorkshire. In more positive news, Jesse Gomez has returned to training but won't be ready for Saturday.

Media Coverage

You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms and BlythLive on Mixlr from 2:50pm.