Blyth Spartans (H) – Match Preview

Back at the Hollou and it is for what will hopefully be the match against Blyth Spartans

So many postponements to this fixture means that it has taken over 2 months for it to be played.

When I last mentioned our opponents, they were coming off the back of a torrid run of form that included multiple defeats to the likes of Brighouse, Lincoln, Bishop Auckland and Ossett, with the only successes being against Ashington and Matlock

However, since the appointment of Marc Nash, Blyth Spartans have been one of the strongest teams in the league, picking up 6 wins from their last 9 fixtures, with their only defeats coming against Matlock and Emley

Sunk by a last-minute strike against Emley, Blyth haven’t picked up any staggering victories, just winning their matches by the odd goal

There are two exceptions to that, though, with back-to-back 4-goal hauls against Bridlington and Grimsby

Across the league campaign, Blyth Spartans have scored more than 2 goals just once, which was in that match against Bridlington

Since Nash’s appointment, they have had 4 away defeats, 3 wins, and a single draw

In theory, we should be wining tomorrow, even if it is by a single goal

But in all honesty, if you look at the form guide, you will get one clue, if you look at the table you’ll get another, and if you listen to your heart, gut or brain, then you’ll get told 3 seperate things

Our 0-0 draw against Lincoln was definitely a shock result, with the Steelmen not drawing since Boxing Day, and we haven’t been held to 0 goals since that October match against Matlock

Luckily for us, Emley also dropped points, having lost to Bishop Auckland, which means we still hold a decent gap over those below us

Permutations-wise, as long as we pick up 16 points before the end of the season, then we have mathematically confirmed the title

That figure will drop if Matlock or Emley drop points, with the obvious days for that being when we face each of them

Of us 3, Emley arguably has the easiest set of games, as the only sides left in the top 9 for them to face are Pontefract Collieries and us.

Matlock’s next 4 have them playing Dunston, Heaton, us and then Garforth, meaning they play the sides in 6th, 7th, 1st and 9th across a 2-week window

Finally, we have to face Bradford Park Avenue, Pontefract, and most harrowingly, Emley and Matlock Town, with all 4 games being played across a 3 week span that ends in early April

Our last home match is against Blyth Town, which could be a trophy-lifting fixture for the second season in a row, but we also end the campaign with a trip to North Ferriby.

Hopefully, though, everything is wrapped up by then, and we can prepare for life at Step 3 a bit sooner

As for Steelmen Stats, the lack of goals means that at the top of the pitch, there weren’t any new notes. However, defensively, we have now kept our 10th consecutive away clean sheet, and our 9th one in our last 11 matches

Just 3 evening games left to go, which means the floodlights will soon become a rarity as we head towards the summer months

Longer days, warmer weather, and fingers crossed, there’s a promotion on the horizon, too.

Hope to see you tomorrow or Saturday, but if not, then there will be live updates on X

As always, take care, and up the Steelmen!