BLYTH SPARTANS VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 24
DATE: Saturday 11 January, 2025
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £15 Adult, £9 Over 65’s, £6 11-18 year-olds & students, free under-10’s
TICKETS: https://stocktontownfc.ktckts.com/event/hebbur2425/hebburn-town
GROUND: Blyth Spartans FC, Croft Park, Plessey Road, Blyth, NE24 3JE
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors Radio (mixlr.com)
Stockton Town will look to put Wednesday’s heartbreak behind them as a trip to Northumberland quickly awaits.
The Anchors were knocked out of the FA Trophy on Wednesday after Rochdale overturned a 3-1 penalty deficit to progress into the Fifth Round of the competition in which Stockton knocked the Spartans out of at Croft Park in Round One back in October.
Stockton now have their full focus on the league campaign, where they sit in 7th position on 36 points.
Josh Scott returned to action against Rochdale after a short injury, and Lewis King will be again available following his suspension.
THE OPPOSITION
It’s been quite a chaotic opening to the 2024/25 season for the Spartans. After changing owners back in November, they named a new manager in Michael Connor, who had great success at Northern League’s Blyth Town, with ex-Whitby Town boss Nathan Haslam assisting him.
The pair have made a whole host of changes to the squad, notably former Anchors loanee striker Sam Hodgson joined from South Shields, standout midfielder Dean Briggs followed from Hebburn Town as well as the return of popular defender Paddy Almond who re-joined from Ashington most recently, just to name a small handful.
Long-term EFL defender Greg Halford remains a key part of Connor’s team, showcasing his versatility, playing in midfield, defence and even a spell in goal in Blyth’s 4-3 defeat against Whitby Town.
The Northumberland-based side remain bottom of the table, but have picked up points as of late, with notable draws against Morpeth Town and Prescot Cables in recent weeks. They are going to need more if they are to overturn the 13-point deficit between themselves and safety.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The sides have already met twice this season, with the Spartans tasting victory at the MAP Group UK Stadium in September, but the Anchors getting revenge in the before-mentioned FA Trophy matchup.
5 Oct 2024 – Blyth Spartans 0-2 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League Premier Division
18 Sep 2024 – Stockton Town 0-3 Blyth Spartans – Northern Premier League Premier Division
7 Aug 2021 – Blyth Spartans 5-1 Stockton Town – Pre-Season Friendly
FORM GUIDE
Blyth Spartans: D D L L D
Last Game: Morpeth Town 0-0 Stockton Town
Stockton Town: L D D W L*
Last Game: Rochdale 0-0 Stockton Town – Rochdale won 4-3 on penalties.
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Stockton Town manager Michael Dunwell spoke ahead of this test following his sides’ narrow defeat against Rochdale by saying:
“Every game in this league is difficult… Blyth won’t be easy. They’re fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league, they got a good draw last week and have been scoring goals… We’ve got to be right at it to get anything from our upcoming games.”
Words by Jordan Clarke
