EVO-STIK PREMIER DIVISION
Venue: Croft Park, Blyth (NE24 3JE)
Date: Saturday August 13, 2016
Kick Off: 3pm
SCORE UPDATES / MATCH COMMENTARY
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ADMISSION
£10 – Adults (+u10 y/o free)
£5 – Concessions
+£1 for seat in Port of Blyth Stand.
TEAM NEWS
Croft Park sets the scene for Blyth Spartans’ curtain raiser for the new season and Tom Wade will be hoping that his side can get off to a good start against newly promoted Coalville Town – as Spartans look to go one better than last season’s runner-up spot in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.
Leicestershire-based Coalville were promoted through the playoffs from Division One South, after finishing the season in third place. Their place in the Evo-Stik Premier was confirmed when they defeated our potential Integro Doodson Cup First Round opponents Shaw Lane Aquaforce 3-1 in the final.
New signings Gavin Caines, Michael Liddle, Matty Pattison, Luke Armstrong and Zak Atkinson will hope to make their Spartans debuts during Saturday’s game, while Peter Jeffries, Richard Pell and Jarrett Rivers look to make their first appearances since re-signing for the club in the summer.
IN THE AWAY DUG OUT
Tom Brookbanks – Brookbanks arrived at Coalville after spells in charge of Carlton Town, Hucknall Town, Stamford AFC, Quorn and Loughborough Dynamo. He will lead Town into their first season in the Evo-Stik Premier Division following last season’s success in the Division One South playoffs.
DANGER MAN
Nathan Watson – “Nat” rounded off the scoring in Coalville’s 5-0 playoff semi-final win over Basford United, before inspiring Town’s comeback by scoring his side’s equaliser in the final.
Watson scored 15 goals in total in all competitions last season and Town will rely heavily on him and 2015/16 top goalscorer, midfielder Alex Troke – who scored an impressive 24 goals in all competitions – as they aim to avoid a return to Division One at the end of the season.
LAST TIME WE MET
This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.
RECENT MUTUAL FRIENDS
None
OFFICIALS
Referee: John Matthews
Assistants: Michael East and Owen Easson