Blyth Spartans - Stourbridge programme by Craig Dobson

O F F I C I A L

M AT C H DAY

M AG A Z I N E

F O R

B LY T H

S PA RTA N S A F C

/ /

I S S U E

B L Y T H

1 1

/ /

SPARTANS v

S T O U R B R I D G E

N O RTHE RN P RE MIE R LE AG U E P R E M I E R D I V I S I ON S A T U R D A Y 2 2 N D O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 // 3 . 0 0 P M K I C K - O F F

Â£ 2

TODAY'S SPONSOR CRAMLINGTON PIRATES M AT C H S P O N S O R & B A L L S P O N S O R

12 18

14 A

W A

C O

T O

BLYTH SPARTANS TODAY'S ISSUE 5 6 8 11 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 27 31 32 34 36

Welcome to Croft Park View from the Bench Commercial news Cup draws Report: Ilkeston Rank & File Press Pass The Visitors Man About Town The Last Meeting View from the Terraces Matty Pattison NPL round-up Fixtures & results Next up: Goole Squads

Andrew Bowron, Steve Frake, Jane Freeman, Steve Ord MEDIA TEAM | Will Reynolds, Glen Maxwell, Craig Dobson, Ross Jackson, Sam Donovan PHOTOGRAPHER | Bill Broadley CLUB HISTORIAN | Ken Sproat PA ANNOUNCER | Ken Teasdale

FOLLOW THE GAME TWITTER @Blyth_Spartans FACEBOOK Blyth Spartans A.F.C.

ADDRESS | Croft Park, Plessey Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 3JE OFFICIAL TEL | 01670 352373 CLUBHOUSE TEL | 01670 354818 EMAIL | generalmanager@ blythspartans.com

YOUTUBE RADIO INSTAGRAM

BSAFC TV Blyth Live blythspartansafc

SNAPCHAT WEBSITE

blythspartans1 blythspartans.com

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 3

4 | BLYTH SPARTANS v COALVILLE TOWN

CROFT PARK General Manager Ian Evans welcomes you to Croft Park ahead of today's game against Stourbridge. Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Croft Park for this afternoons fixture in the Evo-Stik Premier League. May I offer a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Stourbridge FC. Also a very warm welcome also to today’s sponsors a group of local supporters know as The Cramlington Pirates, many thanks for your support. May all of today’s visitors enjoy both a safe and pleasant journey home later today. Having beaten Nantwich in the Fourth Qualifying Round, today’s opponents find themselves in the First Round proper of this season's FA Cup. Well done from Blyth Spartans to all connected to the club from the West Midlands. Funny, but two seasons ago, I think it was the vice Chairman of Stourbridge remarked, just after we had played Birmingham, that they would love a cup run as they had never experienced what Blyth Spartans had experienced. Two seasons on and this is their second consecutive appearance in the final rounds. There's never a dull moment here at Croft Park. After being inspected by the council last weekend in order to retain our safety certificate

this Monday we will be visited by officials of both the FA and NPL who will inspect Croft Park in order for us to retain our required ground grading. So today, please try and find the bins with your rubbish as it will save us a job on Monday morning! At Hednesford last Saturday Andrew Cartwright came on as a substitute midway through the second half, carrying his plastic bottle of vodka and orange (disguised as orange.) He ran across to the far side and as he approached the touchline he threw his bottle intending for it to land inside the parameter fence. Unfortunately, not knowing his own strength, it went sailing over the fence and on to the terracing where, fortunately, there were no supporters. That may have been quite funny but what was hilarious was the sight of a Hednesford steward “screaming” that Andrew’s action should have resulted in a red card, and he was serious! Enjoy the football, IAN EVANS General Manager

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 5

THE BENCH Alun Armstrong is largely delighted with Saturday's showing but, ever the perfectionist, knows where the side can improve...

6 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to tonight’s Northern Premier League Premier Division fixture against Stourbridge. After the win on Saturday, I was delighted for the fans and for the lads – it was thoroughly deserved. Everyone could see that we dominated the game throughout. We probably took our foot off the gas a little too easy. When I was on about seeing the game through and being professional, compact, moving the ball quickly, but we just got too laboured I think and let them back in. They went for broke and threw three, four up top and went really direct. We dropped off which allowed them to pick up second balls. Everything else I’m delighted with. We just need to make sure that once we’re winning a game comfortably like that, we’ve got to understand that we have another game on Saturday and four away games after that. My message to the lads was to see the game through, 2-0 up, we’ll go again and get another three points on Saturday. The game was won, but we let them back in.

“

pleased with a strong performance from the lads. I think the fans have really got to get behind the lads a bit more, giving them a little bit more. We want a high-energy performance again on Saturday, so there’s no point in the lads pushing themselves. I understand the fans want it to be exciting all of the time but at the end of the day three points is the most important thing. That second goal had Robbie written all over it. Hooksy said that’s because he missed the penalty! Everyone’s been waiting for that little bit of magic. Hopefully that will spark him, because he hasn’t been at his highest standards. He is getting older and we’ve got to start looking after someone like that. I contemplated resting him tonight, but thank God I didn’t! We finally got that little bit of magic we’ve been looking for. He could have had a hat-trick. For the third, I knew as soon as Luke was through he was going to score. I say he's lucky, but you're not born with luck. He works his socks off, runs the channels, comes deep and got his reward again tonight. It was a fantastic

That second goal had Robbie written all over it. Everyone’s been waiting for that little bit of magic. I contemplated resting him tonight, but thank God I didn’t!

I’m gutted – I hate conceding goals! That’s why I’ve brought Darren Holloway in. Really disappointed with the goal, to be honest, as it could have been stopped quite easily. We could have had four or five easily as well. To be honest, it was really good. The lads did everything I asked of them. But they went for broke, and we have to deal with that a little better. I had to get some tired legs off. I’m looking at our midfield after the two journeys we’ve had. Our midfielders were absolutely shattered and I don’t have another one to replace them in there. That’s what I’ve been looking at all week, so that’s my first priority. Lidds is tired, too – he’s played a lot recently. Again, that’s another area I’ve got to look at, as we had a right-back playing left-back on Saturday. Those two areas probably need filling more than most, but looking at it, I was really

finish. I was also pleased with Nipa's impact. People probably expected me to start him, but I've got to make sure we keep him fit. Stourbridge will be tough, without a doubt. Every game will be hard, but if we play with our intensity and tempo, move the ball quickly, rather than the slow square passing, you can see that we can beat anyone. We're so difficult to deal with as we've got pace, trickery, willing runners in behind. We've got a good mixture of everything at the minute, and we've got to make sure we keep it going. It'll be difficult, without a shadow, but we need the fans to get behind us, give us plenty of vocal support and push the lads forward. Enjoy the football, everyone.

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 7

B L Y T H

S P A R T A N S

COMMERCIAL NEWS Contact Commercial Manager Mark Scott on 07570 794 374 or email him directly at markscott@blythspartansafc.com.

Blyth Spartans were delighted to have linked up Commissioners Quay Inn, newly opened on Blyth Harbour for Summer 2016 which coincided with the Tall Ships visiting in August. The large billboard adorning the front of the Kingsway end of the stadium has already become a prominent feature with many supporters commenting on the wording and the keenness of the Commissioners Quay to draw on the reputation of the town’s football club. Sean Donkin, Operations Director of the Inn Collection Group, was keen to take up the opportunity to link up with the town’s football club after he met up with Chairman Tony Platten and he was equally impressed with the new development on Blyth quayside: “Once we became aware of plans for the Commisioners Quay we were very keen to speak to them and to see what we could do to promote them in the town. The initial lead came through Arch, a sponsor of ours at the time, which is always helpful. Initial discussions went well and the seeds were put in place before the development was complete.” “I’ve been a number of times since it opened and I’m consistently impressed by what I see and the service we receive. I would recommend it to all supporters and hope we have a long and

8 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

beneficial relationship to both parties.” “The Tall Ships was a huge success for the town of Blyth and away from the water the Commissioners Quay was the undoubted success and helped to showcase the town to outsiders.” The jewel in the crown of Blyth’s impressive harbour development, the sleek new Commissioners Inn makes the most of every inch of its water’s edge location. Overlooking the River Blyth towards the sea, this vibrant and welcoming pub with rooms has all-day, everyday laid back dining, delicious drinks and 40 contemporary en-suite bedrooms. A destination in its own right, The Inn really is the place to eat, drink, sleep and explore in Blyth and has already proved popular with players, committee and supporters of the Spartans. The Inn is just the place to stay if you're looking for bed and breakfast hotel rooms in Blyth, south Northumberland and Tyneside and is ideal for visitors to the area. Bookings are now being taken for Christmas and more details can be found at commissionersquayinn.com or by calling 01670 335060. For those that haven’t been yet the Inn can be found at Commissioners Quay, Blyth NE24 3AF.

GAME

MATCH SPONSOR

BALL SPONSOR

MotM SPONSOR

PORT OF BLYTH

SWINTON INSURANCE

13/08 23/08

COALVILLE TOWN ASHTON UNITED

03/09 10/09 13/09 17/09 27/09

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC SUTTON COLDFIELD MARINE MORPETH TOWN SPENNYMOOR TOWN

04/10 08/10 18/10 22/10

WARRINGTON TOWN MICKLEOVER SPORTS ILKESTON STOURBRIDGE

BLYTH BETIS PENIATO MR ANTHONY FRANCIS CRAMLINGTON PIRATES

12/11 19/11

TBC STAFFORD RANGERS

JELLY & ICE CREAM PLC

03/12

BUXTON

KEVIN SCOTT

PORT OF BLYTH

17/12

BARWELL

MR S ROBSON

02/01 14/01 28/01

WORKINGTON NANTWICH TOWN MATLOCK TOWN

JOHN MAY

TRISH & ALAN / MR K THOMPSON PORT OF BLYTH

11/02 25/02

HEDNESFORD TOWN CORBY TOWN

CANNOCK SPARTANS

PORT OF BLYTH

07/03 18/03 25/03

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC SKELMERSDALE UTD RUSHALL OLYMPIC

08/04 17/04 22/04

HALESOWEN TOWN WHITBY TOWN GRANTHAM TOWN

KEY SPONSORS / PARTNERS

SPARTANS SPIRIT

DARREN ORD DEREK & JOHN

GORDON YOUNG / ALAN McLEAN

RON STRAUGHAN JOHN BARRY/PORT OF BLYTH

BILLY BUDDLE

CRAMLINGTON PIRATES PORT OF BLYTH

IN MEMORY OF DEREK BIRDSEY MATT ROPER IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL BLYTH MR S ROBSON

PORT OF BLYTH/TRISH & ALAN PORT OF BLYTH MR HEDLEY & MR MILLER / RON STRAUGHAN

An opportunity to support a local football club with a great history and tradition. Full match or match ball sponsorship, the choice is yours! From £90 to £450 (exclusive of VAT) or a negotiated price to meet your pocket. Call our General Manager now on 01670 352373, or simply email generalmanager@blythspartans.com.

MATCHDAY £440+VAT

MotM

MATCH BALL

£220+VAT

£90+VAT

Ten tickets in directors' box

Choose the man of the match

Two match tickets

Complimentary drinks before / after match

Use your company’s name within the announcement

Inclusive of all the aforementioned extras

Half-time refreshments

Present the player's award post match

Post-match buffet Matchday programme showing company name

Five match tickets Aforementioned extras

Matchday PA announcements Souvenir gift & certificate presented at the end of the game

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 9

10 | BLYTH SPARTANS v MORPETH TOWN

F A

T R O P H Y

U P

L E A G U E

C U P

F O R

THE CUPS Blyth Spartans' upcoming opposition in the Buildabase FA Trophy and the Integro Doodson League Cup.

BUILDABASE FA TROPHY

INTEGRO DOODSON LEAGUE CUP

FIRST ROUND QUAL.

FIRST ROUND

G OO L E A . F. C .

S H AW L A N E A . F . C .

S AT 2 9 O C T O B E R V I C TO R I A P L E A S U R E G R O U N D S 3PM KICK-OFF

T U E S 1 5 TH N O V E M B E R S H AW L A N E 7. 4 5 P M K I C K - O F F

Spartans will kick off their Buildabase FA Trophy quest on the road this season, travelling down to East Yorkshire to take on Goole next Saturday. The trip down to Victoria Pleasure Grounds will be the first of four consecutive away trips for Alun Armstrong's men. Blyth have reached the quarterfinals on three separate occasions - 1979/80, 1982/83 and 2010/11, falling to Gateshead in the latter fixture. Goole made the news in 2014 when captain Karl Colley was involved in a physical altercation with a fan after receiving a red card; Colley was sacked by the club later that same day. The Vikings are currently struggling in Division One North, having won just two of their opening thirteen league fixtures (more on page 34).

Blyth will be on their travels again two and a half weeks after their Trophy game at Google, this time journeying towards Barnsley to take on Shaw Lane A.F.C. on a Tuesday evening. The four-hour round trip will be the fourth trip away from home in the space of seventeen days, having travelled to Goole, Warrington and Barwell for their preceding fixtures. Previously named Shaw Lane Aquaforce, the hosts were forced to change their name midway through the 2015/16 season due to FA rules in relation to advertising restrictions. Craig Elliott's side are in red hot form, topping Division One South with 25 points. The Ducks have won seven of their opening fixtures, losing just once in the process.

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 11

Photo: Steve Boughen

3 1

D AT E S AT U R D AY 1 8 TH O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 | VENUE CROFT PARK | COMPETITION NPL PREMIER DIVISION | REFEREE L R O B I N S O N AT T E N D A N C E 5 1 1

"I WAS DELIGHTED â&#x20AC;&#x201C; IT WAS THOROUGHLY DESERVED. EVERYONE COULD SEE THAT WE DOMINATED THE GAME THROUGHOUT."

12 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

ALUN ARMSTRONG

Blyth Spartans made it four games unbeaten with an assured 3-1 victory over Ilkeston on Tuesday night, with Matty Pattison, Robbie Dale and Luke Armstrong all among the goals at Croft Park.

referee waved away appeals, before showing a yellow to the number nine for alleged simulation.

on the hour, a twisting run forcing Luis Rose to haul him down in the area. Stepping up to take the kick himself, Dale was denied by a low save by Durrant - but the ball was parried into the path of Pattison, who reacted quickest to slot home.

Armstrong caused more problems on the edge of the area towards the end of the half, charging down an attempted clearance from Haydn Goddard and doing enough to allow Reid a clear sight of goal. The attacker stormed into the box but could only drag his hurried shot well wide of goal.

From kick-off, Blyth's unchanged side looked the more comfortable in possession, but had to wait until the fifteen-minute mark for their first real sight of goal, Sean Reid stooping to meet a Robbie Dale cross but heading harmlessly over.

Desperate to put the penalty miss behind him, Dale more than made amends three minutes later with a goal of the month contender. The 32-year-old slalomed past two defenders, sidestepped a third in the box, then lashed high into the roof of the net to round off a remarkable run.

Rory Coleman tested Adam McHugh for the first time before the interval, the dangerous left-back unleashing a fine drive from range which required a solid parry behind. Nevertheless, Spartans were in the ascendancy - and picked up where they left off in the second half.

Dale was almost the provider again three minutes later when he met Matty Pattison's cross at the back stick and headed the ball across goal. Luke Armstrong was prowling in the six-yard area and stabbed towards goal, but Robins 'keeper Ross Durrant poked out a leg of his own to deny the striker.

Robins manager Paul Holland threw on attacking options and went 4-3-3, and it paid dividends with fourteen minutes to go, Malachi LavelleMoore firing in low at the near post from the edge of the box.

Pattison cut inside from the right and drew another low save from Durrant at his near post, and Dale planted a backpost header straight at the goalkeeper following a good delivery from substitute Daniel Maguire.

Armstrong was unforunate to go into the book not long after, when on another night, he could have won his side a spot kick. Jaylon Bather took a heavy touch inside his own area and was beaten to the ball by the fast-moving forward. Though Bather looked to have clipped Armstrong, the

The sub could have levelled against the run of play in the closing minutes, just failing to get onto a Dexter Atkinson cross-shot, but Spartans would clinch victory soon after. Maguire burst beyond two players on the right and teed up Armstrong, who supplied an exquisite finish to cement all three points.

The skipper created the perfect opportunity for himself to open the scoring

THE LINE-UPS BLYTH SPARTANS Adam McHugh Alex Nicholson 71' < Michael Liddle Matthew Wade Nathan Buddle Ryan Hutchinson 75' < Matty Pattison Stephen Turnbull Luke Armstrong 56' < Sean Reid Robbie Dale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

75' < Jarrett Rivers 56' < Daniel Maguire Michael Richardson 71' < Andrew Cartwright Gavin Caines

12 14 15 16 17

3 6

9 10

2 4

1 5

ILKESTON FC

1 6

11 7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Ross Durrant Danny Gordon > 46' Rory Coleman Ben Morris > 62' Matt Baker Luke Foster Luis Rose Mark Shelton Anthony Dwyer Jaylon Bather > 71' Haydn Goddard

12 14 15 16

Connor Walters > 46' Brandon Clarke Malachi Lavelle-Moore > 62' Dexter Atkinson > 71' 17 Reid Owen

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 13

RANK&

FILE

THE STEWARD

Alan Courtney has been a fixture at Spartans for years. He talks about his favourite memories - and trinkets - from Croft Park.

14 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

What do you do on a matchday for Blyth Spartans? I’m a matchday steward. I help give the tickets out, take the money and showing people to their seats. How long have you been coming to the club? I’ve been here a long time. I’ve been here since the Northern League days. The best season was the 77’/78’ season, with the cup run. I really enjoyed that. When my dad was alive, they played Preston here in 1974, and they wanted volunteers to clear the pitch of snow, so I volunteered and got two free tickets.

on the outskirts of Morpeth, but I’ve lived in Blyth all my life. I love it, I’m happy here. Every time I come in, the players shout, “here’s our number one supporter coming!” Who have been some of your favourite managers over the years? Harry Dunn was a good manager here, and so was Tom Wade. He’s one of my good friends, Tom. Even though he's left, I still keep in touch with him. I’ve been to his house – he even invited me in! And how about the best players?

I said, “Dad, you’re coming with me this afternoon.” He asked where we were going, and I got the tickets out of my pocket. He said, “Where did you get that?”

I cannot think! There have been a canny few. It’s tough to pick. I like nearly all of them. Robbie Dale is good, and so are Nipa and Twinny. They all are.

That game was when Jackie Charlton and Nobby Stiles were playing. We drew 1-1 and Mick Dagless got the goal, but we got beat down there 6-1.

The late Billy Fenwick was brilliant, and so were Brian Slane and Alan Shoulder.

I went to the Blyth-Wrexham replay at St. James’ with my dad and my brother, and the programme cost 20p. I got some of the players – Steve Carney and them – to sign it, and I’ve still got it. Having been part of the setup here as a fan and as a steward for so long, how do you feel about the club? It’s like a second home to me. I just live across there on Third Avenue, around the corner from Broadway. I was born in Hepscott Park

Thinking back, what's the best goal you've seen a player - past or present - score for Blyth Spartans? Robbie Dale, twenty-five yards out, chipped the goalkeeper. It was the best goal I’ve seen Robbie Dale score. I can’t remember who it was against, but it was a good goal. What did you make of the club's fairytale cup run in 2014/15? I went to Hartlepool because when we were here, Colin Blackett gave me and Gary and the matchday stewards a ticket to get in. It was brilliant,

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve got the programme and the DVD in the house – and I’m on it! It was brilliant, I really enjoyed it. My mam doesn’t like football, but when I was down there, she was lying in bed watching the match. I says, “Mam, you don’t like football!” but she says, “If it’s our hometown team, I’ll watch it.” She saw me on the telly! But I would say the Birmingham City match was the biggest. I’ll tell you one thing, I absolutely loved it. How important has this club been to a town like Blyth? I think Spartans have put the town of Blyth on the map. The club has done the town very well. I’m really proud to be part of this club. Colin Blackett got me the job here. I’ve known Colin a long time. When me and Gary used to follow Waterloo Social football team, Colin compered the presentation night, and we used to get an award. He’s done a lot for me. What's the best, most treasured memorabilia you've collected from the club over the years? I’ve got a Spartans tie, a scarf, my little Spartans keyring. I’ve got a waterproof jacket, a hoodie and a fleece. Recently, I got a present off the club – a Blyth Spartans watch. I got a Spartans coat – it was Colin Myers’, and Tom Wade gave it to me. I’ve kept it in my wardrobe at home.

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 15

PRESS PASS Programme Editor Craig Dobson heralds a club legend's return to goalscoring form.

For over a decade, Robbie Dale has been Blyth Spartans' languid legend. Club captain, frequent top scorer. Mercurial wideman by day, barman by night (or possibly vice versa). The laid-back skipper could have carved out a career for himself in the game; he was offered a deal by Oxford United in his younger days, but ultimately turned it down, preferring to stay up north and pull pints at his family's pub, all the while dazzling supporters at Croft Park. Some have said that Robbie is one of the best semi-pros in modern times never to have played professionally. Those folk laying such praise at his door may well have a point. Yet Robbie was always perfectly content with his life as a parttime footballer, away from the potential isolation, rejection and disappointment of the professional game. Dale is always up there towards the top of the club's scoring charts with Dan

Maguire. Last year, 'Nipa' started slowly before finding his feet. This time around, Dan has been on fire, helping himself to nine goals already (were it not for injury, it could have been double figures) - but his senior counterpart has not enjoyed the same fortune in front of goal. Robbie was the star of the show at Grantham Town, striking the bar, scoring Spartans' second, then going down the other end and saving a last-minute penalty. Had the events at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium been part of a book or film plot, it would have been dismissed as outrageously far-fetched. Only Robbie Dale could pull it off. That August afternoon proved to be something of a false dawn in terms of the long-server's attacking output. Though he doggedly won his aerial challenges and tracked back admirably, Dale was outshone by the likes of Maguire, Reidy and new arrival Matty Pattison.

16 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

But not on Saturday afternoon. The winger was in flying form for Blyth, spraying cross-field Hollywood passes from left to right and causing problems when running down the flank. The signs were ominous when he humiliated Luis Rose sufficiently enough to draw a penalty; though the captain's spot kick was saved, Pattison stole in for the rebound and earned a share of the plaudits. Robbie redoubled his efforts, and the end result was truly mesmerising. Gliding forward from the left, two touches - right, then left - took two Ilkeston midfielders out of the game, before two more deft touches in the area twisted Matt Baker's blood. The finish, a typical Dale howitzer, was befitting of the run. It's what we've all been waiting for, not least Robbie himself. On his day, no full-back - or indeed, anyone - can keep stride with the master. Welcome back, Robbiedinho.

PROTECT YOUR CLUB GET SPECIALIST INSURANCE FROM INTEGRO PROUD TO BE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Our Football Club insurance policies provide wide and flexible cover to meet the needs of Football Clubs of all shapes and sizes. As well as Stadia we can provide cover for equipment, kit, volunteers, events/functions held and more. We have our own staff who can also advise on Risk Management/Health & Safety. We offer a free review of your present insurance arrangements without any obligation whatsoever. Monthly premium payments can be arranged to help your cash flow. Contact us to talk about your insurances: 0161 419 3000 barry.greenlees@integrogroup.com

 Risk Management  Accident / Injury  Sickness  Grounds / Property / Equipment  Liability  Business  Medical / Travel  D&O / Trustee Liability  Motor  Personal  Legal Expenses

Visit our website at www.integrogroup.com

Integro Insurance Brokers Ltd. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: 100 Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 3BP. Registered Company No. 2957627 England

BLYTH SPARTANS v COALVILLE TOWN | 17

THE VISITORS

STOURBRIDGE F O U N D E D 1 8 7 8 | N I C K N A M E T H E G L AS S B O Y S | G R O U N D WA R M E M O R I A L AT H L E T I C G R O U N D | C O L O U R S R E D & W H I T E STRIPES, RED SHORTS, RED SOCKS | MANAGER | GARY H A C K E T T L A S T S E A S O N N P L P R E M I E R D I V I S I O N - 6 TH relegation in 1987/88. The Glassboys went on to win the Midland Division championship in 1991, although Southern League officials refused promotion due to the shared use of the ground by the local cricket club.

The club was founded in 1876 as Stourbridge Standard, becoming known as Stourbridge by the late 1880s. The 1923/24 season was one of the best in the club's history, as they clinched the Birmingham League championship and also won the Worcestershire Senior Cup a fourth time. After World War II, The Glassboys enjoyed their greatest period of success in non-league football, as they carried off the Birmingham Combination Championship in 1952 and also won the Birmingham, Worcestershire

and Herefordshire Senior Cups. The Birmingham Senior Cup was won for a second time in 1958/59 and the 1967/68 season saw the club achieve their own "double" in lifting both the Worcestershire and Birmingham Senior Cups.

Stourbridge dropped down to the Midland Alliance in 2000. The side won the League Cup in the first year and back to back titles soon after, but would have to wait until 2006 before they returned to the Southern League as runnersup, and went up to the Prem through the playoffs two years later.

In 1971 the club was elected to the expanding Southern League, lifting the Division 1 (North) title in 1973/74. Stourbridge spent ten seasons in the Premier Division of the Southern League between 1974 and 1984, and their subsequent Midland Division form was mediocre too, despite three good FA Cup runs, fortunate to avoid

They agonisingly missed out on another promotion via the same method in both 2012/13 - having finished second in the league - and 2013/14, before opting to join the NPL three seasons ago. After finishing 16th in their debut year, the Glassboys finished just two points outside of the top five and will be setting their sights high again in 2016/17.

18 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

GOALKEEPERS The Glassboys' number one is Matt Gould, the grandson of Wales legend Bobby Gould. The stopper initially joined from Livingston on loan before signing a one-year contract, and has turned out for Cheltenham Town, as well as clubs in New Zealand and Scotland.

DEFENCE

THE PLAYERS tracks down the right, just as he has done in previous years with Halesowen. On the opposite side of the back four, 30-year-old Brian Smikle - a former WBA trainee with plenty of non-league experience - slots in at leftback.

deployed in his favoured midfield role. Out wide, ex-Lemington man Matt Dodd has the pace to trouble full-backs, as does Chris Lait, the tricky winger impressing for the likes of Rushall Olympic and Halesowen Town.

MIDFIELD

Former Mansfield full-back Darryl Westlake joined last month from Solihull Moors, and is expected to line up in a more central position alongside 21-year-old Daniel Scarr, who has shone for the club since joining from Redditch in the summer of 2015. Flying wing-back Kristian Green will be looking to make

ATTACK

After a brief stint at Telford, Tom Tonks and his trademark long throws are back at Amblecote; the centre-mid also brings graft and quality to the middle of the park. Leon Broadhurst can also play at centre-half, but the longserving 32-year-old - who initially joined the club back in 2003 - has been regularly

Luke Benbow (below) is undoubtedly the Glassboys' dangerman in attack, but Gary Hackett has other options - not least ex-West Brom forward Kayleden Brown, who top scored back in 2014/15. 19-year-old hotshot Brandon Hague also has a particularly keen eye for goal.

GOULD WESTLAKE

STAR MAN

LU KE BE NBOW Part of the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain earlier in his fledgling career, pacey forward Luke is a real handful at NPL level, having scored a hatful of goals in the past three seasons for the Glassboys, Redditch and Rushall Olympic. Benbow has five goals to his name already this season.

GREEN BROADHURST

SCARR SMIKLE TONKS TAIT

DODD

BENBOW

BROWN

GLASSBOYS

POSSIBLE XI BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 19

MARK SCOTT’S

MAN ABOUT TOWN PROFILING THE HOME OF TODAY’S VISITORS

Today's visitors are one of the half dozen in the league from the West Midlands. Stourbridge is a large town in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley and historically a part of Worcestershire. It has previously been a centre of glass making, hence the nickname the “glassboys”. Stourbridge takes its name from the River Stour, which flows through the town and for centuries formed the border between Worcestershire and Staffordshire. The border was moved a couple of miles north in 1966 when Amblecote Urban District (previously in Staffordshire) was incorporated into the Borough of Stourbridge. This arrangement lasted eight years until the advent of the Local Government Act 1972 in 1974, when Stourbridge was amalgamated into the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley and became part of the wider West Midlands county. The population in the 2001 census was 55,480 increasing to 63,298 at the 2011 Census. Stourbridge is home to two colleges - the King Edward VI College, founded in 1552 and Stourbridge College of Further Education. Both of these colleges attract students from a wide area. Stourbridge's shopping centre lies on or near the High Street. There is also a Wetherspoons pub and a number of food outlets and cafes. Off the High Street is the Ryemarket shopping centre,

and located at the bottom of the High Street is the Crown Centre, which includes a mix of retail and community facilities and includes an underground car park. Of note is the Red House Cone located in nearby Wordsley, adjacent to the Stourbridge Canal bridge. It is a 90-foot (27 m) high conical brick structure with a diameter of 60 feet (18 m) and was used for the production of glass. It is one of only four cones remaining in the United Kingdom. The town was served by numerous railway lines but these have now mostly been closed with one remaining from Stourbridge Junction into Birmingham roughly 15 miles away. There is also a complex network of bus routes, both interurban and local. Stourbridge Bus Station has undergone redevelopment and re-opened as Stourbridge Interchange in April 2012. Consultation for the new station first began in 2006 but construction did not begin until late 2010. The Cellars Fine Indian Cuisine is the top place for nosh in what is a hotbed for curry closely followed by Bombay Pickles. The Windsor Castle in on Storbridge Road is the destination recommended for a pint or two. Famous residents include Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin in Corrie) and the band The Wonder Stuff of “size of a cow” fame who were formed in Stourbridge in 1986.

20 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

Stourbridge lies approximately seventeen miles west of Birmingham, and six miles north of nearby Kidderminster.

OFFICIAL

BENCHWEAR

KIT

SUPPLIER

WORK HARD. PLAY HARDER.

www.macron.com BLYTH SPARTANS v ASHTON UNITED | 21

T H E L A S T M E E T ING

4 3

D AT E S AT U R D AY 1 9 TH D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 | VENUE CROFT PARK | COMPETITION NPL PREMIER DIVISION | REFEREE B G O R D O N AT T E N D A N C E 5 2 3

" WE REORGANISED AND BECAME STRONGER. THE BELIEF THE PLAYERS HAVE IN THEMSELVES IS FANTASTIC. WE HAVE A STRONG SIEGE MENTALITY HERE."

22 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

TOM WADE

On a very wet Saturday afternoon at Croft Park, Blyth Spartans put on a Christmas Cracker to beat Stourbridge.

Christmas were jolted in to life by the tenacious Stourbridge and the hosts responded with high energy attacking play.

The game kicked off with Stourbridge taking the game to Blyth with energetic, high tempo play stifling the Spartans and preventing the type of performance which has seen the free scoring Croft Park side rise to the summit of the Northern Premier League.

On 33 minutes a loose ball running out of the box was somehow hooked back in to the area by Dale and the incoming Sean Reid powered a header past Stourbridge goalkeeper Charlie Price to reduce the deficit. Seven minutes later Dale again received the ball on the right and jinked into the box, his low shot flying into the far corner to restore parity.

Karl Hawley and Justin Richards linked up well to stretch the Spartans defence on a number of occasions and an early opportunity for Blyth saw a through ball to Dan Maguire contested by Stuart Pierpoint which resulted in the Spartans forward being withdrawn through injury and replaced by Arran Wearmouth.

Although Spartans pushed forward a Stourbridge team, one of the best sides at Croft Park this season, were capable of an upset, which the first half demonstrated, but the Blyth centre back pairing of Danny Parker and Ryan Hutchinson coped well with the visitors forward line as did full backs Jordan Watson and Alex Nicholson whilst also supporting the wing play. In the 68th minute a Stourbridge attack was broken down by a Stephen Turnbull, Matty Wade and Michael Richardson combination. The resulting move saw Sean Reid brought down by 'keeper Price in the area. Turnbull placed the ball on the spot then put it to the keeperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left hand side pulling Blyth level at 3-3.

Croft Park hardly had time to draw breath when Chris Lait powered through the Spartans midfield and his hard 25 yard shot rebounded back off the crossbar to drop nicely for Karl Hawley to slide the ball past Fabian Otte and put the visitors 3-2 up on half-time.

On 13 minutes a Ben Billingham high ball in to the box was headed past Fabian Otte with some ease to put Stourbridge 1-0 up and two minutes later a dominant Stourbridge saw another cross headed by Justin Richards beyond Otte to give the visitors a deserved 2-0 lead.

In the last 20 minutes Stourbridge were finding it hard to contain the rampant Spartans. Some resolute defending and fine goalkeeping saw a succession of Blyth attacks and corners.

The second half started with increasingly heavy rain and a swirling wind. Nevertheless a determined Blyth Spartans lay siege on the Stourbridge goal with Reid, Wearmouth and Dale being a constant threat to the visitors and a Dale free kick into the Stourbridge wall saw hand ball appeals turned down by referee Barry Gordon.

An impressive 523 attendance on the last Saturday before

The hosts left it until the 95th minute to secure victory when a strong Nicholson run into the box saw his drive fly past Price into the back of the net to lift the roof off Croft Park.

THE LINE-UPS BLYTH SPARTANS Fabian Otte Alex Nicholson Jordan Watson Danny Parker Ryan Hutchinson Stephen Turnbull Michael Richardson Sean Reid 5' < Daniel Maguire Matthew Wade Robbie Dale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Neal Hooks 5' < Arran Wearmouth Dillon Morse Andrew Cartwright Paul Robinson

12 14 15 16 17

STOURBRIDGE 3 5

11 6

9 8

1 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Charlie Price Kristtan Green Dan Scarr Louis Harris > 59' Brian Smikle Stuart Pierpoint Matt Dodd Ben Billingham Karl Hawley Justin Richards Chris Lait > 89'

12 14 15 16 17

Chris Knight Drew Canavan > 59' Mark Wright > 89' Tyree Clarke Louis Clifton

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 23

MARK SCOTT’S

MAN VABOUT I E W F TOWN R O M T

T H E

H E

TERRACES P R O F I L I N G T H E H O M E O F TO N I G H T ’ S V I S I TO R S

Malcolm Stephenson sings the praises of Adam McHugh, and looks forward to today's game against Midlands opposition.

Good afternoon evening and welcome to our visitors who have made the long journey up from the West Midlands.

STOURBRIDGE Last season, Blyth were top of the table when we went down there and were well beaten 3-0. However, in the return match we won 4-3 in a classic game to remember. The visitors took an early 2-0 lead only for Blyth to pull two goals back to level the score. Stourbridge then restored their lead only for Blyth to later equalise. The game looked as if it was going to finish 3-3 when deep into injury time (six minutes to be precise) Alex Nicholson scored the winner to send the majority of supporters at Croft Park that day hitting the rafters in celebrations. It was as if we had won the FA Cup itself. Last season Stourbridge had a great FA Cup run and defeated Dover away in the first round proper only to lose as home to Eastleigh in the second round. They are having another good run this season as well and last Saturday were at

home to Nantwich in a Fourth Qualifying Round tie, winning 3-1 to get into the First Round for the second consecutive season.

P E N A LT Y S AV E S Well done yet again to Adam McHugh who saved his third penalty in a row against him during the game at Matlock last week. Not only that, but he pulled of a number of other great saves during that game to keep Blyth in the match. All the players worked hard that night in Derbyshire to grind out a result in the right direction. Unfortunately, we did not seem to create many chances up front ourselves that night. Matlock could have been disappointed not to have collected all three points. Let’s hope we see Dan Maguire back in the side again today. Talking of the Matlock match. Well done to all those travelling Spartans fans who got behind the team as usual.

PITCH BOARD As you can see at the Kingsway end beside the

24 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

corner flag I now have a sponsored pitch board up. They are only £120 to get one done and even less to keep the following season (£50). See if you can dig deep to help the club and get your own personally designed board up as well.

NEXT HOME GAME Believe it or not the next home game might not be until Saturday the 19th November when Stafford Rangers are the visitors. Spartans play Goole away in the FA Trophy on October 29th and any subsequent replay will be on the 1st November. If we do beat Goole, we will have to wait and see who we pull out of the hat in the next round and see if we can get a home tie for the 12th November. If not we have a lot of travelling to do in the coming weeks! Malcolm Stephenson supporter (for more years than I care to remember!)

A T

P A T

BLYTH MAKING

H E E D WAY The ex-NUFC and Gateshead midfielder reveals why he chose to join Spartans, and discusses the team's direction under Alun Armstrong.

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 27

When Neil Aspin rung the changes at Gateshead over the summer, a number of clubs were primed, chequebooks at the ready, to pounce on some of the talented free agents. The transfer activities of Spennymoor and South Shields may have caught the eye, but in Matty Pattison, Blyth Spartans arguably pulled off the biggest coup of them all. The supremely talented South African, who came through the NUFC academy and turned out for both the Mags and Norwich City earlier in his career, was released after two years of service at the Gateshead International Stadium. Matty was a regular under Gary Mills and then Malcolm Crosby, but Neil Aspin's arrival at the International Stadium would precede Pattison's departure by seven months. "That’s football, it’s happened a few times," he admits. "I think I didn’t really fit into the way Neil liked to play his football. I had a bit of an unlucky season with injuries in my last year at Gateshead. I think a few things played a part, but it comes down to the fact that I wasn’t Neil’s cup of tea, and that’s his choice." Pattison had options, but at 29, the midfielder was looking to settle down - and described Spartans as "a good fit", in terms of its location, standing and ethos. "I’m just at that point in my career where I’ve been away a lot. I’ve got a family from

the North East. I’d been at Gateshead for two years and didn’t renew my contract there, so Blyth was a good fit. "It was on my doorstep, it’s got great history, it’s an enjoyable place to be and they play good football. That’s a big thing. You want to go somewhere where they play your style of football, which I like. That’s a big positive for me." A versatile performer across the middle of the park (and a little further forward), the South Africa international has often been deployed on one of the flanks, looking especially menacing when cutting inside on his left foot, but has also been used sparingly in a more central role. Where did Tom Wade consider him to be at his strongest, and has that changed under new manager Alun Armstrong? "I think when I first came to the club, Tom saw me as a central midfield player but the more he got to know me, I think he liked using me a bit further forward to try and create a bit more and nick a goal. That’s changed. The new manager has come in, he looked at me in the middle and now I’ve gone out wide again. It’s just one of those things. "I’m pretty flexible so I don’t mind where I play, as they both have their advantages. As long as I’m chipping in with goals, I’m happy." "Patta" has done just that so far, scoring an impressive six goals in seventeen starts, the latest of which came last Tuesday against Ilkeston, tucking away the rebound from Robbie Dale's saved spot

28 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

kick. Spartans went on to win 3-1, extending that unbeaten run to four games. Pattison is pleased with his returns so far, and is confident that the worst is behind Spartans. "It’s always nice to get on the scoresheet and to get another win. After a bit of a shaky spell, we’ve got ourselves back on track and we’ve put a couple of wins together, along with a positive result away at Matlock, so things are looking up again. "Hopefully we can keep that run going, as the more you gain momentum, you get that winning feeling and it breeds confidence so we need to keep it up." Blyth's victory over Ilkeston was all the more significant, given that Hednesford Town, Rushall Olympic and Spennymoor Town all dropped points in midweek. However, the former Newcastle United prospect is looking more towards long-term consistency than short-term gains. "It’s a long season. We’re going to drop more points this season – hopefully not many – but we’re going to drop them at some point, and so are other teams. We’ve got to make sure we get that consistency where you’re not dropping as many as we have done recently." Given the recent managerial changes, there was always potential for a dip in form, he says.

“

"We had a change of manager which can go either way, you can either thrive under it or have a slower start. Alun came in and the team were conceding a lot of goals, and he

wanted to make us more compact, solid and hard to beat initially and build from there, which we’ve done. Now we’re starting to score goals again and getting back to some of the play we started the season doing, so that’s a good thing for us." Armstrong has moved quickly to bring in fellow Boro coach Darren Holloway as an assistant manager to help out with the defensive side of coaching - an acquisition that has been applauded by the central midfielder. "I think that’s a good move by the club. I think Alun’s going to bring that side of the game in, it’s a little more professional. He wants to take us to the next level. Those are the sort of things that are going to take the club to the next level, laying a solid foundation and building from there. You don’t concede, and then you can concentrate on going forward and scoring goals, which we’re pretty good at anyway!" Today's game is the last at Croft Park until mid-November, with the prospect of four consecutive away games now facing the squad. "I don’t know who’s been doing the fixtures, to be fair!" he laughs. "That’s going to be a key part of the season, those four away games. If you go there and produce the goods, it puts us in a good, strong position. "If you can get those results away from home, it gives you a better chance when you bring them to our place. They might not travel as well as us. Not a lot of teams in this league will have a squad as strong as ours and we’ve got to remember that and use it to our advantage.

Blyth was on my doorstep, it’s got great history, it’s an enjoyable place to be and they play good football. That’s a big thing. BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 29

NPL PREMIER DIVISION ROUND-UP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

TEAM

WHITBY TOWN BLYTH SPARTANS BUXTON RUSHALL OLYMP WRRNGTN TWN HDNSFRD TWN MICKLEOVER SP SPENNYMOOR ASHTON UNITED MATLOCK TOWN WORKINGTON NNTWICH TWN STOURBRIDGE BARWELL MARINE HLSOWEN TWN GRNTHAM TWN STAFFORD RANG COALVILLE TWN ILKESTON SUTTON COLD FRICKLEY ATHL CORBY TOWN SKELMERSDALE

16 16 15 15 17 16 16 12 16 13 14 12 13 15 15 14 17 14 15 11 16 17 15 14

9 9 9 9 8 7 8 7 6 6 6 5 5 4 5 5 5 3 4 4 3 3 2 2

4 3 3 3 2 4 1 3 6 4 3 4 4 7 4 4 3 6 3 1 4 2 4 4

3 4 3 3 7 5 7 2 4 3 5 3 4 4 6 5 9 5 8 6 9 12 9 8

THE KEY M AT C H

GD PTS

8 16 14 10 2 11 4 17 7 5 0 8 0 0 -7 -8 -4 -2 -10 -4 -19 -25 -9 -14

31 30 30 30 26 25 25 24 24 22 21 19 19 19 19 19 18 15 15 13 13 11 10 10

There wasn't just late drama at Croft Park on Tuesday night, as Spennymoor Town battled back to secure the latest of draws at Grantham Town. Lee Shaw made it 3-1 to the Gingerbreads with just five minutes remaining, but Jason Ainsley's men battled back, first via a Joe Tait penalty and then a late finish from Andrew Johnson, stealing an unlikely point for the Moors. Whitby Town, meanwhile, continued their ascent, topping the table thanks to Dale Hopson's 72nd-minute penalty against Skelmersdale. They leapfrog Buxton, whose game with Stafford Rangers was postponed. High-flying Rushall Olympic missed an opportunity to win, pegged back by two late goals at home to Warrington. Ashton United dropped yet more points, going down to a Robert Wilson strike at Workington, and Hednesford Town fared no better at Barwell, losing 2-0 on the night. Matlock and Nantwich picked up valuable victories at Halesowen and Marine respectively, while Mickleover also won on the road at Sutton Coldfield. Coalville Town and Stourbridge played out a 1-1 draw, and on Wednesday evening, Corby Town struck twice to see off Frickley Athletic.

Grantham Town couldn't hold onto a two-goal lead, having to settle for a point against Spennymoor Town. Luther Wildin scored the only goal of the opening period to give the Gingerbreads the lead, only for Mark Anderson to equalise shortly after the break. Felipe Barcelos restored the home side's lead a few minutes later and when Lee Shaw made it 3-1 with only six minutes remaining, it looked all over. However, a Joe Tait spot-kick and then Andy Johnson scored in the final five minutes to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 31

2016/17 F I X T U R E S DATE

COMP

RESULT

OPPONENT

ATT

13/08 16/08 20/08 23/08 27/08 29/08

Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge

W L W D W W

3-1 1-0 5-0 3-3 2-1 2-0

COALVILLE TOWN MARINE HALESOWEN TOWN ASHTON UNITED GRANTHAM TOWN WORKINGTON

561 342 376 562 173 652

JEFFRIES JEFFRIES JEFFRIES JEFFRIES JEFFRIES JEFFRIES

CARTWRIGHT CARTWRIGHT CARTWRIGHT CARTWRIGHT CARTWRIGHT CARTWRIGHT

LIDDLE LIDDLE LIDDLE BELL BELL BELL

BUDDLE BUDDLE CAINES CAINES CAINES CAINES

HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON 1 HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON

03/09 10/09 13/09 17/09 20/09 24/09 27/09

FAC Lge Lge FAC Lge Lge Lge

W W W L L L D

3-1 5-0 1-0 4-2 1-0 4-3 0-0

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC SUTTON COLDFIELD MARINE MORPETH TOWN FRICKLEY ATHLETIC CORBY TOWN SPENNYMOOR TOWN

667 575 522 1045 220 539 818

McHUGH McHUGH McHUGH McHUGH JEFFRIES JEFFRIES JEFFRIES

CARTWRIGHT CARTWRIGHT* BELL BELL* CARTWRIGHT# NICHOLSON* CARTWRIGHT

BELL BELL LIDDLE LIDDLE LIDDLE BELL LIDDLE

CAINES PELL CAINES CAINES PELL BUDDLE BUDDLE

HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON

04/10 08/10 11/10 15/10 18/10 22/10 29/10

Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge FAT

L W D W W

3-0 3-0 0-0 2-1 3-1

WARRINGTON TOWN MICKLEOVER SPORTS MATLOCK TOWN HEDNESFORD TOWN ILKESTON STOURBRIDGE GOOLE

507 501 281 465 511

McHUGH McHUGH McHUGH McHUGH McHUGH

CARTWRIGHT CARTWRIGHT CARTWRIGHT+ NICHOLSON+ NICHOLSON

LIDDLE LIDDLE LIDDLE LIDDLE LIDDLE+

TURNBULL+ BUDDLE BUDDLE WADE WADE

BUDDLE HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON BUDDLE BUDDLE

01/11 05/11 15/11 19/11 26/11

Lge Lge Lg Cup Lge Lge

WARRINGTON TOWN BARWELL SHAW LANE STAFFORD RANGERS SKELMERSDALE UTD

03/12 10/12 17/12 26/12

Lge Lge Lge Lge

BUXTON RUSHALL OLYMPIC BARWELL WHITBY TOWN

02/01 07/01 14/01 21/01 28/01

Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge

WORKINGTON COALVILLE TOWN NANTWICH TOWN MICKLEOVER SPORTS MATLOCK TOWN

04/02 11/02 18/02 25/02 28/02

Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge

ILKESTON HEDNESFORD TOWN STOURBRIDGE CORBY TOWN SPENNYMOOR TOWN

04/03 07/03 11/03 18/03 25/03

Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge

SUTTON COLDFIELD FRICKLEY ATHLETIC BUXTON SKELMERSDALE UTD RUSHALL OLYMPIC

01/04 08/04 15/04 17/04 22/04

Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge

STAFFORD RANGERS HALESOWEN TOWN ASHTON UNITED WHITBY TOWN GRANTHAM TOWN

32 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

KEY HOME IN GREEN | AWAY IN BLACK ITALICS BOLD = GOALSCORER | COLOUR = CARD | * = SUB 1 | + = SUB 2 | # = SUB 3

SUBSTITUTES

TURNBULL TURNBULL TURNBULL TURNBULL 1 TURNBULL* TURNBULL

RICHARDSON RICHARDSON+ PATTISON 2 PATTISON PATTISON+ PATTISON 1

PATTISON* PATTISON* WADE* RICHARDSON* RICHARDSON 1 WADE+

MAGUIRE 2+ MAGUIRE MAGUIRE 2 MAGUIRE 1 MAGUIRE MAGUIRE

REID 1 REID REID+ REID 1 REID REID 1*

DALE DALE# DALE# DALE DALE 1 DALE

WADE*, ARMSTRONG+ WADE*, RIVERS+, ARMSTRONG# RIVERS*, RICHARDSON+, ARMSTRONG# RIVERS* PELL*, WADE+ RICHARDSON*, ARMSTRONG+

TURNBULL TURNBULL TURNBULL# TURNBULL TURNBULL TURNBULL PATTISON

PATTISON# PATTISON PATTISON 1+ PATTISON ARMSTRONG* RIVERS RIVERS+

WADE+ WADE 1 WADE WADE+ BUDDLE PATTISON+ REID

MAGUIRE 1 MAGUIRE 2# MAGUIRE MAGUIRE 1 MAGUIRE MAGUIRE MAGUIRE*

REID 2* REID 1+ REID* REID REID+

DALE DALE DALE RICHARDSON# RIVERS RICHARDSON# DALE 2 ARMSTRONG DALE

RICHARDSON*, RIVERS+, BUDDLE# LIDDLE*, RICHARDSON+, ARMSTRONG 1# RICHARDSON*, NICHOLSON+, PARKER# NICHOLSON*, ARMSTRONG+, ATKINSON# PATTISON*, RICHARDSON+, NICHOLSON# CARTWRIGHT*, REID 1+, ARMSTRONG# RICHARDSON*, NICHOLSON+

HUTCHINSON WADE WADE HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON

RIVERS RIVERS 1 RIVERS# PATTISON# PATTISON 1#

PATTISON# PATTISON 1* PATTISON TURNBULL TURNBULL

ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG 1+ ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG 1 ARMSTRONG 1

REID* REID REID* REID 1* REID*

RICHARDSON*, NICHOLSON+, WADE# TURNBULL*, NICHOLSON+, RICHARDSON# TURNBULL*, NICHOLSON+, RICHARSDON# MAGUIRE*, NICHOLSON+, RICHARDSON# MAGUIRE*, CARTWRIGHT+, RIVERS#

DALE DALE# DALE DALE DALE 1

Official Travel Agent of

ANNE KING www.notjusttravel.com/anneking anne.king@notjusttravel.com 07885 694 621

BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE | 33

FOUNDED 1997 NICKNAME VIKINGS GROUND VICTORIA PLEASURE GROUND

O U R

N E X T

COLOURS RED & BLACK STRIPED SHIRT / RED SHORTS MANAGER DAVE ANDERSON LAST SEASON NPL D1 SOUTH, 19 th

O P P O N E N T S

GOOLE A.F.C.

With no game scheduled for Tuesday evening, Blyth Spartans make the first of four away trips this time next Saturday - starting with East Yorkshire outfit Goole A.F.C. in the FA Trophy. Spartans have made it safely through 1QR in the last three years, but will have to travel down to Victoria Pleasure Ground - a 130-mile journey in order to progress further in the competition. Having been dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of Northern League side (and current Vase holders) Morpeth Town, Blyth will not be taking anything for granted against a side which plies its trade one division below in D1 North. The Vikings were transferred from D1 South last season, previously finishing a lowly nineteenth. Dave Anderson's men have not fared any better north of the divisional border.

Goole have won just two of their opening thirteen league games. Those results have consigned the Yorkshiremen to the bottom three, having collected just ten points. However, Google have turned it around in recent weeks, losing just one game in their last six outings. It began with a 2-0 win at Ossett Town towards the back end of September, soon followed by their second league win four days later - a convincing home victory against Burscough. Worringly, Goole kept up their winning run in the cups, twice striking late to see off Belper Town in the Trophy setting up today's tie in the process - before easing past Knaresborough Town in the West Riding County Cup. They may not have won in their last two games, but Goole will certainly be up for the cup on Saturday.

34 | BLYTH SPARTANS v STOURBRIDGE

THE FA TROPHY 2016/17 marks the seventeenth time that the Vikings have featured in the Trophy. The Yorkshiremen have never made it beyond the Second Qualifying Round, going out to Telford and Gresley in 2005 and 2014 respectively.

DID YOU KNOW? Former Sheffield United centre-back (and NUFC trainee) Karl Colley made national headlines after his dismissal at Coalville Town in 2014, attacking a supporter and receiving a nine-month ban as a result. He was sacked by Goole that same day.

BLYTH SPARTANS v COALVILLE TOWN | 35

manager: alun armstrong

manager: gary hackett

colours: green & white stripes

colours: red & white stripes S TA R T

adam

SUB

richard

LIDDLE

darryl

NICHOLSON chris

BELL

stuart

BUDDLE

richard

SCARR

dan

CAINES

jacob

neal

HOOKS

jon

stephen

WEDDERBURN

ADAMS

WADE

brad

BIRCH

PATTISON

leon

BROADHURST

TURNBULL

drew

CANAVAN

REID

matt

DODD

matthew

sean

RICHARDSON jarrett

jake

HEATH

RIVERS

chris

LAIT

DALE

lewis

PROBERT

robert luke

HULL

gavin

matty

michael

PELL

PIERPOINT

DUGGAN

jack joe

GREEN

SMIKLE

brian

HUTCHINSON

KENNEDY

WESTLAKE

kristian

CARTWRIGHT

nathan ryan

GOULD

matt

JEFFRIES

michael

andrew

S TA R T

McHUGH

peter

alex

SUB

ARMSTRONG

tom

TONKS

ATKINSON

luke

BENBOW

zak

daniel

MAGUIRE

kayleden aaron

brandon justin

BROWN

DANIELS HAGUE

RICHARDS

TO D AY ' S S P O N S O R T H A N K S F O R YO U R S U P P O RT CRAMLINGTON PIRATES M AT C H S P O N S O R & B A L L S P O N S O R

F O L LO W B LY T H S PA RTA N S H O M E & AWAY @Blyth_Spartans

B LY T H S PA RTA N S A F C

BSAFC TV

B LY T H LIVE

B LY T H S PA R TA N S . C O M