A lot of old friends expected as promotion-seekers come to town

BLYTH Spartans welcome one of manager Alun Armstrong’s old club, Stockport County, to Croft Park tomorrow.

While Blyth have fallen off the play-off pace Stockport have clinched their place in the end-ofseason jamboree.

County are the best supported side in the Vanarama National League North by some distance, averaging 3,300 at Edgeley Park.

The Hatters will bring a strong following to Northumberland for what will be Blyth’s fourth game in eight days.

Last night’s 1-0 victory over struggling Southport ending a run of seven straight defeats for Armstrong’s men.

It was a sixth defeat on the spin for Southport, who are still not safe from another relegation. Jarrett Rivers scored early on and then substitute Adam Wrightson grabbed the second four minutes into injury time to claim a 2-0 win. The crowd of 398 was the lowest of the season at Croft Park. Substantially more expected for the visit of Stockport. And Armstrong, frustrated by his side’s fall from grace but relieved the losing streak is over, expects Stockport to be well up for the game.

He said: “Stockport are in the playoffs but need to finish well to clinch a home tie in the quarter-finals.

“I had a great four-and-a-half years there after I left Newcastle. They’re a massive club at this level and I hope they get promoted.

“For us we need to build on Thursday’s win and do the double over Stockport having won 3-1 at Edgeley Park in October.”