By Ben Lightfoot
Blyth Spartans tackle their second away game in a row as they face Leamington FC at the New Windmill Ground.
The Spartans suffered a 3-1 defeat on Tuesday against Kidderminster Harriers as Matty Dopson scored his first senior goal for Blyth.
There will also be a minute-long clap in the 54th minute in remembrance of Cannock-based Blyth Spartan fan Lee Hulme. Who sadly passed away last August.
TICKET INFORMATION
All ticket information can be viewed here.
TEAM NEWS
Nathan Buddle, Lewis McNall, Rhys Evans and Michael Richardson remain out, as does Nicky Deverdics who faces the last of his three-match ban.
However there could be a debut for on-loan defender Finn Cousin-Dawson who arrived from Bradford City earlier this week.
OPPOSITION
The Breaks sit six points ahead of Blyth in the National League North and are two points ahead of the drop zone.
Leamington lost 3-0 at home in their last outing to top-of-the-league Kings Lynn Town, leaving them winless in their previous 12 league games.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
After the defeat to Kidderminster, Graham Fenton said: “A disappointing result again. Improvement from Saturday, but that’s not hard because it was so bad on Saturday and we’re kind of patching up a team to get out on the pitch as we’ve got a couple of injuries and another couple tonight.
“So on top of the difficult result, we’ve got Toby [Lees] whose struggling, Cedrid [Main] is hobbling, Troy [Chiabi] is hobbling, so yeah it just doesn’t get any better unfortunately.
“But in general terms, I thought the application was better than it was on Saturday, but that’s not hard.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Following a 3-0 defeat to Kings Lynn, Paul Holleran said: “I thought it was a really good game. Conditions were difficult. I said it before the game, and before we played them last time- they’re a really good side because they can mix it up, they can play different kinds of football.
“The first fifteen minutes we struggled with their box system, but when we got a grip of that, I think it was probably the best we’ve played, from about 15 minutes to nearly 70. It was a real good contest – it was end to end, we went toe to toe, but the difference is at 1-0 down we had some good chances and half chances, and the combination of good goalkeeping and better connections from us have stopped the game going to 1-1.
“We were a bit open second half but I wanted us to have a go. You’ve got to be a bit braver in some of these games.”
LAST TIME WE MET
The sides met at Croft Park at the start of November in a 2-2 draw after a Nicky Deverdics’ brace was thought to be enough for Blyth to come away with the three points.
However, a 94th-minute equaliser from Jack Edwards (who also scored a brace) sent the Breaks back to Royal Leamington-Spa with a single point.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Unfortunately there’ll be no Blyth Live, however Leamington will have their own radio coverage which we’ll share on our social media channels prior to kick off.
Alternatively, you can follow the game via our social media platforms.