Preview | Southport FC (a) | National League North | 22/23

By Ben Lightfoot

Blyth Spartans face a 362-mile round trip on Tuesday as they travel to Haig Avenue to face Southport.

The Spartans held then top-of-the-league AFC Fylde to a goalless draw to continue their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions.

TICKET INFORMATION

All ticket information can be viewed here.

TEAM NEWS

Spartans remain without Nathan Buddle and Lewis McNall, but there are no new injury concerns after Saturday’s game.

OPPOSITION

Southport, who currently sit 17th in the National League North, have won just one of their last 10 league fixtures.

Most recently they suffered a 1-0 away defeat to fourth-place Brackley Town after a Sam Smart goal in the 68th minute.

WHAT WE’RE SAYING

Following a goalless draw to Fylde, Graham Fenton said: “Very good first half, resilient second half I think.

“We weren’t great, we stopped what gave us success, yes they changed around a little bit which caused us a few problems, that they’re going to do as they’re at the top of the league for a reason, they’re a good team, good players and they play a certain way and are effective.

“They have some threats at the top of the pitch which we dealt with very well, obviously Alex [Mitchell] had two very good saves, one at the end of the first half and one at the end of the second half.

“But again it’s a game we feel we could have won with that based on some of the chances we created and some of the officiating we’ve seen yet again.”

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Speaking after their defeat against Brakcley, Liam Watson said: “We just have to carry on playing like that as if we play like that we will win a lot of games between now and the end of the season.

“Attitude, application, we’ve seen the lads at the end and they didn’t deserve it because I think we’ve been the better team/

“But we’ve come away from home and missed three glorious chances in the first half and that’s basically been the run we’ve been on, were missing chances, not scoring goals and then we concede.”

LAST TIME WE MET

Earlier this season at Crfot Park, Blyth Spartans overcame Southport in January after Cedric Main’s strike after 33 minutes was enough to take the three points for Blyth.

Last season at Haig Avenue a five-goal thriller was seen as Blyth got the upper hand in Merseyside after goals from Patrick Almond, JJ O’Donnell and Lewis McNall secured the victory.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Join us on Blyth Live from 7:30pm, alternatively, you can follow the game via our social media platforms.

Posted by Ben Lightfoot