Looks like Blyth need to raise 25K to survive this season ...

https://www.blythspartans.com/news/crowd-fund-appeal-launched/

 .
    
Blyth Spartans @Blyth_Spartans
𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞  @ilkestontown_fc 
Sat 22nd Feb.  
KO 3pm  
Croft Park
Clubhouse open from 12pm
Tickets https://blythspartansafc.ktckts.com/event/bly2425h=0.001px18/blyth-spartans-afc-v-ilkeston-town-fc
Hospitality https://blythspartans.com/fan-zone/match=0.001pxday-hospitality/ 
#YourCommunityClub 
  20 Feb 2025 



 

.
NPL preview | Saturday 22 February.         by JDG Media

Champions elect Macclesfield can take a giant stride towards the Northern Premier League title when they visit Lancaster City this weekend.They enter the latest round of fixtures with a seemingly-unassailable 21-point lead at the top of the table, just 10 games standing between them and a place in the league above, with the ability to secure a Top 5 finish should results fall in their favour. The free-scoring Silkmen - who won 3-1 at play-off hopefuls Warrington Rylands last weekend, a result which boss Robbie Savage labelled their "best win of the season" - come into this one full of confidence, as they prepare to visit a Lancaster side keen to kick on after returning to winning ways at the Giant Axe last weekend.  

Ashton United climbed to second in midweek with a point at Matlock Town, and they will hope to maintain their excellent recent run of form this time out against neighbours Hyde Utd. There was nothing to choose between the sides earlier in the season, Hyde coming from behind to earn a share of the spoils against the Robins at the start of November. 

Should Ashton slip up, Guiseley will look to regain second with victory at Leek Town. Leek come into the weekend on the fringes of the bottom four, having picked up just one point from their last three matches. 

There are further battles between sides at either end of the table, with fourth-placed Worksop Town hosting Workington and Stockton Town travelling to Matlock Town. For Worksop and Stockton, three points will be much sought-after as they look to fend off the chasing pack in the race for the top five. Craig Parry's Tigers have won their last three matches in a row, while Stockton cannot expect to have things all their own way against a Matlock side who, despite their lowly position in the table, are unbeaten in seven matches at the Proctor Cars Stadium. 

Outside of the top five, Ilkeston Town travel to basement side Blyth Spartans. Spartans have just three wins to their name in the league this season, but Ilkeston have picked up just five points from their last nine games on the road and know they'll need to show real improvement on their travels to get the job done. 

Another with their eyes on the top five, Warrington Rylands make the third to Basford United this weekend. Neil Reynolds' Blues have been one of the form sides on the road this season, their away points tally of 25 from 16 matches bettered only by the division's current top four. 

Elsewhere, Morpeth Town will look to record their third successive victory, at home to a Bamber Bridge side looking to escape the bottom four. 

At Broadhurst Park, FC United of Manchester and Hebburn Town go head-to-head. The pair still harbour ambitions of reaching the top five, although they will need plenty of other results to go their way between now and the season's end. 

Successive victories have seen Gainsborough Trinity ease any relegation fears, and they will look to maintain their recent form at home to second-bottom Mickleover. Mickleover's recent away form makes for grim reading, their most recent league win on the road coming at Basford back in mid-September. 

The final game of the weekend sees Prescot Cables host Whitby Town. Cables are currently five points above the drop zone and have won four of their last five at Hope Street. And with Whitby, a place below them in the table, having one of the stronger recent away records in the division, it promises to be an intriguing battle. 

Fixtures - Saturday 22 February 

• Ashton United vs Hyde United
• Basford United vs Warrington Rylands
• Blyth Spartans vs Ilkeston Town
• FC United of Manchester vs Hebburn Town
• Gainsborough Trinity vs Mickleover
• Lancaster City vs Macclesfield
• Leek Town vs Guiseley
• Matlock Town vs Stockton Town
• Morpeth Town vs Bamber Bridge
• Prescot Cables vs Whitby Town
• Worksop Town vs Workington

Permutations
Macclesfield will secure a Top 5 finish under the following conditions
- Victory v Lancaster City and either Ilkeston Town or Stockton Town fail to win
- Draw v Lancaster, Ilkeston and Stockton lose plus Gainsborough Trinity drop points v Mickleover


  

Last edited by Matchman (22/2/2025 5:46 AM)

I'm in position with a decent view of the pitch.  Blyth in green .  Ilkeston in blue shirts, blue shorts 

The teams are out. It's been sunny but its now dull and windy.

Last edited by Matchman (22/2/2025 2:59 PM)

It's a fierce start. Blyth fighting for every ball .  Ilkeston corner.  and another. Its cleared.  We find the net but it's offside.      0-0.    6 mins

Nothing from Blyth yet .    Ilkeston corner .  Good catch by keeper.  Corner won by Hardwick.   Nothing from it.     0-0.   16 mins

Swirling wind isn't helping.  Great chance for Abdullah from Dixons pass but the keeper is out to block his shot.  Ilkeston are making hard work of this.   Penalty to Blyth. ,   softest ever.    Goal.  we're behind against a pub team.    0-1.    23 mins

Abdullah wins a corner. Nobody on the end of it.  Blyth breakaway and it should have been 2-0. what a miss.  Dixon is injured.  he's back up.        Blyth. 1-0 Ilkeston.   34 mins

Abdullah yellow for a dive in the area.  

Half time.  Blyth 1 Ilkeston 0.   standing ovation for the Blyth players  

Basford losing and Macclesfield now 1-1 after being 1-0 down!

Expect some substitutions.   Kirby-Moore , Wafula  Wauchope and Walker on. 

Last edited by Matchman (22/2/2025 4:03 PM)

Ben Hutchinson in dugout gets a yellow.  More determination from Ilkeston now. diving header from Wafula is just too high.     1-1.    61 mins