Blyth Spartans round off their Easter double header with a crucial trip away to relegation rivals Farsley Celtic on Monday.
It was a day of frustration for Spartans on Good Friday as they drew 0-0 with North East rivals Darlington at Croft Park, despite twice hitting the woodwork.
TICKET INFORMATION
Ticket information can be found here.
TEAM NEWS
There are no new injury concerns following Friday’s game.
THE OPPOSITION
Farsley currently sit just outside the relegation zone in 20th place, three points ahead of Spartans. Despite picking up a vital win at home to Brackley in midweek, the lost 4-0 away to fellow strugglers Boston United, who in turn seem to have put their relegation worries behind them.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
Speaking after Friday’s game, Graham Fenton said, “It was decent to a point. I thought we competed really well and showed good intensity for a lot of the game. But we just couldn’t get it over the line unfortunately, we had two one-on-ones with the keeper and hit the bar twice. Our decision making wasn’t as good as we’d hoped, so it wasn’t even the quality today, it was the decision making and being able to pick that pass to give us that goal and get ahead.”
Looking ahead to Monday, he added, “The lads need to get their minds right it’s going to be a completely different game. I went there on Tuesday to have a look at them against Brackley and they have their style of play that is difficult to play against. You’ve got to stand up and be counted and show character and personality when you go there to get three points.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Following his side’s defeat against Boston, Farsley boss Russ Wilcox said, “First and foremost, credit to Boston. Not looking for excuses at all, but they were the better team. We can’t dwell on it too long, we’ve got a massive game on Monday. It’s not over, we’re still in the fight and still above that line and hopefully we are at the end of the season.
It’s a big game. What I said to the lads, we’re in a lot better position this season compared to last season. We know every game is massive from here on in, our home form is really good and that stands us in good stead for Monday. Blyth have had a lot of clean sheets lately, so they’ll be hard to beat and hard to break down.”
LAST TIME WE MET
The sides last played each other in September at Croft Park, with Lewis McNall scoring an injury time equaliser as the game finished 1-1.
In what is hopefully a positive omen for Monday, the sides also met last Easter, with JJ O’Donnell heading in a late winner to secure a 2-1 win and a vital three points that helped Spartans avoid the drop.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Join us on Blyth Live from 2:45
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