KICK OFF COUNTDOWN
This weekend the Blues make the long trip to the North East as we look to visit Blyth Spartans. Leek Town will be encouraged after another hard fought win in the previous game week which saw us clinch all three points against a dogged Prescot Cables. Results across the league also went the way of the Blues which made our win even more vital as we leapt up to 13th place in the Northern Premier League Premier Division Table.

Our opponents are having a difficult time at the foot of the table, trying to remain in the league. They have only managed 4 points in their previous 6 league games which means that they are rooted at the bottom of the table, 8 points shy of Mickleover just one place above them.

One thing is clear, as much as Blyth are struggling to put points on the table, they are hard to beat and will be looking for the tide to turn in their favour as they continue to make teams work hard for points.

The True Blue Army will assemble at?
Another long trip for the Blues as we head to Croft Park, NE243JE.

The quickest and easiest route for travelling Blues fans is going to be the M6 – A straight shot northbound heading all the way up to J34 (Carlisle) taking the 3rd exit onto A69. We follow the A69 Eastbound until joining the A6079 in Bridge End through Chollerton and onto the A68. Following the A68 we exit onto the B6320 into Otterburn before heading on the B6341 into Blyth. Alternatively you could head up the M1 & A1.

We will be wearing our full orange away kit #ORANJ

How much to get in?

• Adult - £15
• Concession - £9
• Students 11/16 - £6
• Under 10s with adult – FREE

The Opposition?

• Blyth Spartans AFC – The Spartans / The Green Army
• Founded – 1899
• Ground – Croft Park
• Gaffer – Michael Conner

How are they doing?
When we last played Blyth earlier in the campaign only 2 points separated the two teams – Now that gap is 18 points as the Spartans have struggled for form and results. Their only points in the previous 6 games have come from a 0-0 draw Vs Mopeth and a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Mickleover. They have 16 points from 28 games with a -35 goals difference.

Their Main Man?
Blyth have struggled in front of goal so far this season and the goals have been shared out amongst the team, but when they have scored Billy Gordan and Joao Gomes-Carrington seem to be the ones who features amongst the goal scorers the most. Gordan with 4 goals this season and Carrington with 3.

Their Gaffer?
Michael Conner is the current manager, moving from a successful period at Blyth Town, where he had been Manager for 16 years. He is also joined by Head Coach Nathan Hallam, who was previously Manager at Whitby Town.

Blyth Spartans – Have we met before
Looking through the Leek Town Stats engine we have met Blyth Spartans on 14 occasions, with fixtures dating back to 1995. The Spartans have had the upper hand on the Blues having taken all three points on 7 occasions, with Leek winning 5 and 2 results ending in a draw.

There have been 42 goals scored over those 14 fixtures, Blyth have recorded 24 goals against the Blues whilst Leek have returned 18. Purely based on these stats, an XG of 1.7 suggests that this could be won or lost by 1 goal.
Both teams highest winning margin in this fixture is 4-0. Leek were 4-0 home winners in a league game in front of 582 spectators 1996/97 league campaign, Matt Beeby a fan favourite at the time who amassed 385 appearances for the Blues being amongst the scorers. Blyth returned the 4-0 scoreline in the 2000/01 season.

The most memorable game will be the FA Cup tie in October 2014 where Leek lost 4-3 to Blyth who were two leagues higher, Andy Kinsey's last minute penalty miss denying a richly deserved replay - we never did find that ball!