BY Liam O’Brien
Blyth Spartans take on Whitley Bay in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round this Saturday as Michael Nelson’s squad get their competitive season underway.
Following seven months without competitive action, Nelson’s men face two games in three days – beginning with the small matter of an FA Cup occasion.
The clash at Hillheads brings some extra added spice with the two clubs less than seven miles apart and with a rich history in the competition.
Spartans come into the game on the back of a 4-2 behind closed doors friendly defeat at Spennymoor Town on Tuesday, though took plenty of positives – especially the first-half display.
But now results are all that matters, and that is exactly what Nelson is looking for in his first competitive game in charge.
THE OPPOSITION
Whitley Bay beat Garforth Town before a positive coronavirus test at Dunston UTS handed Bay a bye into the First Round Qualifying.
However, Whitley showed they are more than capable of producing an upset after winning against higher league opposition in Witton Albion a few weeks ago.
In terms of the Northern League, Whitley have opened the season with wins against Bishop Auckland and Sunderland RCA and defeat to Stockton Town on Tuesday.
They have however, faced the disappointment of exiting the FA Vase following a shock 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle University.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
Speaking ahead of the tie, Michael Nelson told BSAFCTV: “It’s going to be a tough one.
“They are probably ahead of us in terms of games – they’ve had a full pre-season and are into the league season whereas we’ve been pretty much stop-start.
“I am happy with where we are. I’m really comfortable with the team I can put out on the pitch.
“They’ve just got to be professional, honest and hardworking enough to get the job done. “
You can watch the gaffer’s interview in full HERE.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Bay joint-manager Tony Fawcett spoke to The Chronicle last week when the draw was made and said: “I said after the game against Witton on Tuesday that we would love a home tie against one of the North East sides left in the competition.
“Obviously, you hope to get that, but it rarely happens, so we are over the moon that we will be facing Spartans.
“They have a great history in the competition, and everyone knows about that – but we have history of our own in the FA Cup and I am sure that we would love to add a little bit more.
“Looking at the bigger picture, it’s a great tie for the North East and I am sure it will attract plenty of attention around the region and beyond.”
LAST TIME WE MET
Spartans faced Whitley Bay at Croft Park as part of last season’s pre-season schedule.
Blyth won the match 2-1 thanks to a brace from Michael Sweet.
LIVE STREAMING
We’ll be running a live stream at a cost of £8 (VAT included).
All you need to do is register with the Insight4 website and purchase the game via the following link below:
https://insight4.azurewebsites.net/stream/cjNBVXkx
The live streams have been tried and tested during pre-season and while we don’t anticipate any problems, we ask you are patient with our media volunteers.