By Ben Lightfoot
Blyth Spartans enter the third round of the Isuzu FA Trophy as they travel to the LNER Community Stadium to take on York City.
The Spartans have had their last three games cancelled due to weather conditions, with their last game being played on December 2nd against Chester in a 1-0 defeat.
TICKET INFORMATION
All ticket information for Saturday’s cup tie can be viewed here.
TEAM NEWS
Spartans remain without Nathan Buddle, Lewis McNall and Josh Gillies. Jordan Hickey is suspended after his sending off against Chester.
OPPOSITION
York City secured their first win in two months last weekend with a 2-0 victory at Woking in the Vanarama National League.
John Askey’s side secured promotion last season to the National League after winning the playoffs. This season in the National League York have managed 28 points from 23 games as they sit 16th.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
After our previous match, assistant manager Andy Inness said: “99% of the game we are really pleased with, we came away from home and dominated large spells of that game with really good possession.
Our Achilles-heel continues to be a really untidy goal which was avoidable again, but the lads are not for the ones to try and rectify the sloppy mistakes and at some point, we are going to have to cut them out of our game, otherwise, we are going to be chasing games rather than trying to lead them.
But on the whole tonight we were very good in spells but just lacked any real clear-cut opportunities.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
After ending a nine-game winless run, assistant manager Michael Morton said: “I’m just absolutely delighted for the lads, delighted for the gaffer and everyone who’ve been involved with the first team in the last couple of weeks.
“I think it was a big ask coming here and beating an in-form team, but this week has thrown us a lot of curve balls with the gaffer being ill and a few players coming down with it, so it’s been difficult to train.
“So it makes it all much better, it felt like our backs were against it, even this morning trying to do the prep there was a power cut at the hotel and couldn’t do the presentation, but we rally together and the lads put in a shift and did sort of the ugly side of the game which was nice to see.
“I’m just delighted for them and the fans coming down and what support from them, but I’m just chuffed to bits.”
LAST TIME WE MET
Both sides met last season in the competition in the Second Round after the Minstermen secured a 1-0 victory after Mark Beck scored the only goal of the game.
In the National League North last season York secured a 4-0 win at home over the Spartans and when they travelled to Croft Park the following April they left with the three points after a 3-0 victory.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Unfortunately there’ll be no Blyth Live available, however, you can follow the game via our social media platforms.