Match Preview: Blyth Spartans (H) - Pitching In Northern Premier League

More Northern Premier League action at Broadhurst Park this afternoon as Mark Beesley’s FC United take on Blyth Spartans in Moston.

Team News

• Noah Halford has returned to training this week; it is hoped he will be able to play a part in the game.

Our Opponents – Blyth Spartans, The Green Army

Amidst a whirlwind of off-the-field issues this season, Blyth Spartans find themselves at the foot of the Northern Premier League table, 13 points adrift of safety. Manager, Michael Connor arrived at Croft Park in November following a 16-year stint at Blyth Town, with whom he achieved a staggering six promotions before leaving Spartans’ neighbours in the Northern League Division One (Step 5).

Tomorrow’s visitors have had a fractured start to 2025, with successive postponements seeing their most recent fixtures called off. Spartans’ last outing came on New Year’s day in a 0-0 draw with Morpeth Town at Craik Park. Billy Gordon’s five goals this season leads the way for the Northumberland-based side.

FC United manager, Mark Beesley on Blyth Spartans: “There’s obviously been a lot gone on for them over the past few months, but they’re having a really good go at it under a new manager. As their recent results show, they can score plenty goals and we’ll have to defend well.”

Last Time Out

A late equaliser from Jay Fitzmartin rescued a point for FC in the North East, in a 2-2 draw at Croft Park in early December. 

Goals for Connor Pani and Cyril Girald either side of the interval looked to have put an end to a 10-game winless run for Spartans, however Jordan Preston and Fitzmartin were on target to bring the Reds’ share of the points back to Manchester.

Watch: Video highlights of FC United’s draw away at Blyth Spartans earlier this season

On This Day: January 18, 2015

FC United 2-1 Nantwich Town – Evo-Stik Premier Division

Craig Lindfield scored a stoppage time winner as FC United came from behind to defeat Nantwich Town 2-1 at Bower Fold, following a mighty volunteer effort to keep the game on due to snow on the pitch. 

Iain Howard gave Nantwich the lead inside ten minutes, before substitute Tom Greaves found an equaliser for the hosts with 20 minutes to play. In the second minute of stoppage time, Lindfield bundled in to claim all three points in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Watch: Video highlights of FC United’s 2-1 win over Nantwich Town on this day in 2015