Preview: Warrington Town vs Blyth Spartans
Warrington Town enter this year’s FA Trophy at the second round stage on Saturday, with fellow National League North side Blyth Spartans making the trip to the UNIS Compliance Stadium for the second time this season.
Spartans have already beaten Town once during the 2023/24 campaign. Goals in either half from JJ O’Donnell and JJ Hooper wrapped up a 2-0 win and saw the Yellows fall to defeat on their home league debut at Step 2 level.
Saturday offers the chance for Mark Beesley’s squad to avenge that loss as focus temporarily switches to cup competition and the chance to move one step closer to a trip to Wembley.
Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know ahead of the fixture.
Team news
Peter Clarke is a major doubt for Saturday’s game, having suffered a groin injury in the early stages of last week’s 2-1 victory over Rushall Olympic.
Meanwhile, midfielder Sean Williams returns from suspension and could go straight back into the starting line-up.
Tom Hannigan preview
Warrington Town centre-back Tom Hannigan admits the squad will embrace Saturday’s FA Trophy clash with Blyth Spartans and see it as a chance to exact revenge following their National League North defeat back in August.
Hannigan started the 2-0 loss, and he says the group will look to use their upcoming rematch as a chance to demonstrate how much they’ve adapted to the new level of football they find themselves playing in.
“I believe they played us at the right time, as I seem to remember that was when Luke Duffy signed for Macclesfield and Matty McDonald pulled out in the warm-up, so we weren’t accustomed to how we were lining up,” he said.
“That’s not to say they’re not a good team. They like to play a passing style of football with good technical players, so it should be a good game.
“We need to make our home a place where no-one wants to come and visit, and have that belief from the first minute, rather than giving teams a leg up like we’ve done a few times already this season.”
Match information
Saturday’s FA Trophy fixture at the UNIS Compliance Stadium kicks off at 3pm. Match tickets, available to buy online or at the turnstiles, are priced as follows:
Online ticket prices –
- Adults: £12
- Concessions: £8
- Under 16s: £3
*There is a £1 booking fee per transaction.
Turnstile admission prices –
- Adults: £15
- Concessions: £10
- Under 16s: £3
For supporters who cannot attend, live audio coverage will be available via the Yellows Mixlr channel.
PLEASE NOTE: Season tickets are NOT valid for this fixture.
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