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Three clubs finished on 50 points last season and made the great escape from relegation with just a single point separating them from relegated Kettering Town; one of those was Blyth Spartans. Twenty-one games into the current season and the Spartans sit fourteenth, seven places and five points above the relegation spots, which is a markedly better outlook. Recently, the side from the north east have had two notable 1-3 away victories, firstly at Warrington Town in the FA Trophy to set up this afternoon’s fixture, and last weekend at Rushall Olympic, the site of our worst away defeat in recent seasons.
Just three weeks ago Chorley made the long midweek trip to the Spartans’ Croft Park home and nearly left with all three points, but for a stoppage time equalizer. Today, Blyth make the return journey to Victory Park for this Trophy fixture having won passage to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup last season with a 0-1 victory. A plum home tie was picked out of the hat for them with Wrexham the visitors and a 1-1 draw earned a replay at the Racecourse Ground before they went down 3-2. Victory Park is a ground they are familiar with in recent seasons and one that they are comfortable on, having not lost here since April 2018. But the road to Wembley continues today, and what better time than now to end that hoodoo…
Blyth Spartans’ playing record in the National League North for 2022/23 was:
19th. Played: 46. Won: 12. Draw: 14. Lost: 20. Goals For: 49. Goals Against: 62. Points: 50.
Head 2 Head:
16th August 2022 – Chorley 1-1 Blyth Spartans
01st October 2023 – Chorley 0-1 Blyth Spartans – FA Cup
07th February 2023 – Blyth Spartans 1-2 Chorley
Incoming:
Finn Cousin-Dawson – 21 years old, centre back. Season long loan from Bradford City.
JJ Hooper – 30 years old, centre forward. Recently with South Shields and Gloucester City.
Cedric Main – 26 years old, striker. On loan from York City.
Harrison Clarke – 20 years old, midfielder. Previously with Gateshead.
Jack Bodenham – 24 years old, centre back. Had a loan spell with Blyth before, previously with South Shields.
Elliot Forbes – 24 years old, midfielder. On loan from Gateshead.
Mikael Ndjoli – 24 years old, centre forward. Short term loan deal from Hartlepool United.
Will McGowan – 21 years old, midfielder. Rejoined the Spartans on a permanent basis.
Rio Joisce – 18 years old, midfielder. Had a loan spell with North Shields earlier in the season.
Billy Gordon – 18 years old, midfielder. Previously with York City.
Charlie Aitkin – 17 years old, midfielder.
Joe Oliver – 21 years old, right back. Previously with Newcastle United U-21s
Lewis Knight – 25 years old, striker. On loan from Gateshead.
Harry Arnison – 21 years old, midfielder. Previously with Aberystwyth Town.
Michael Hogan – 18 years old, goalkeeper. Previously with York City. Currently on loan with Bedlington Terriers FC.
Stats and information compiled by Martin Ramsbotham are correct at the time of publishing.
Trust Matchday Information:
We are looking forward to welcoming the fans of Blyth Spartans, and we hope they have a pleasant trip to Victory Park.
We have a comprehensive matchday Visitor Guide which can be consulted here.
At our matchday headquarters we sell:
- Trust Membership - It's just £10 per year, or you can purchase online.
- 50/50 tickets - These can also be purchased online here.
- Golden Goal – Today’s Golden Goal sponsor is: Crowberry Consulting & Energy.
- Pin Badges – Also available online here.
Visit our online store to see what else we can offer.
We’d like to express our gratitude to Crowberry Consulting & Energy for sponsoring today’s Golden Goal draw. If you enjoy your match day experience, tell your friends and bring them next time. If you don’t, tell us and we will do our best to make sure your next visit is what you would have expected the first time.
Part of our role is to ensure the supporters are happy around Chorley Football Club and Victory Park.
Enjoy the game.
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