Morpeth Town v Blyth Spartans | Tuesday, 15 July 2025 - 19:30 | Friendly

Date: Tuesday, July 15

Stadium: Craik Park

Time: 7:30pm KO

Ticket Prices:

Adults - £8

Concessions - £4

Under 16s - £2

Blyth Spartans head into match three of the 2025/26 pre-season campaign on Tuesday evening with a trip to face Morpeth Town at Craik Park.

With a victory over Tow Law Town last week and a spirited display against National League North side Darlington at Croft Park on Saturday, attention turns to a clash with the Highwayman in a rematch of last term's Northern Premier Division - Premier League showdown.

For Colin Myers' new-look side, a trip to Morpeth offers a great opportunity to lay down a real marker for the upcoming campaign.

The Opposition: Morpeth Town

Established in 1884, Morpeth Town have a rich history of winning having claimed the Northern Alliance crown twice in 1984 and 1994, before really kicking on since the turn of the millennium.

This includes winning the 2016 FA Vase final in front of 46,781 fans as they beat Hereford FC 4-1 at the home of English football.

As well as winning the Northumberland Senior Cup on three occasions, the Highwaymen won the Northern League Cleator Cup in 2017, before winning the Northern Premier League Division One East title in 2019.

Finishing eighth in the Northern Premier League - Premier Division last term, Morpeth will be keen to kick on and challenge for promotion this time around.

One to Watch

Blyth fans will spot two familiar faces in the Morpeth line-up with Billy Gordon joining the Highwaymen last month.

The 20-year-old midfielder will be keen to make a big impression against his former club, much like Sam Hodgson.

The 23-year-old made just 12 appearances for Blyth, scoring one goal, but earned a permanent move to Morpeth after hitting 32 goals in 64 games across three prolific loan spells.

With Nic Bollado and Luke James also in contention, Morpeth's attack will strike fear into their Northern Premier League - Premier Division rivals this term.

From the Dugout: Craig Lynch will be leading Morpeth into the 2025/26 campaign - his fourth in charge of the club after taking the head coach's position in October 2021.

Just 33-years of age, Lynch started his career with Sunderland after coming through the academy and even played in the Premier League when handed his debut against Fulham on April 30, 2011.

He later played for Hartlepool, Rochdale and Spennymoor, before spending nine months with Blyth Spartans in 2015.

After moving from playing into management with Seaham Red Star, Lynch became assistant manager with Morpeth, before stepping up as the main man two and a half years later.

What has been said?

Blyth assistant manager Steve Bowey: “We don't want to complicate things. We've got a lot of young lads who have got a lot to learn in terms of how we want to play but we'll get there.

“We've got four or five weeks until the start of the new season and hopefully we can keep building.

“We'll get to know the players better and we just have to kick on on Tuesday night.”

Asked about the challenge of Morpeth, he said: “It'll be a difficult game again and it's all about recovery.

“I say that you've got to sacrifice certain things and if the players want to do well for the club and for themselves as well then, they've got to sacrifice - eat well, drink well and get ready for the next game.

“It was a hot day against Darlington and it'll be another difficult game against Morpeth who are in a higher league than us but if we perform like we did (against Darlington) in terms of attitude, work ethic, discipline and desire then we should be in for another good game.”