Stand-in keeper for Spartans in clash with play-off rivals

BLYTH Spartans will have a stand-in goalkeeper between the posts for the visit of fourth-top Brackley Town.

Regular shot-stopper Peter Jameson sits out a one-match ban following his dismissal against Kidderminster last weekend.

An appeal to the FA proved to be fruitless as the match referee’s decision was upheld – much to manager Alun Armstrong’s frustration.

Jameson played in Tuesday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat at Chester, which has left Blyth six points adrift of the play-offs.

Armstrong said: “There’s not many goalkeepers about that will come in for just the one game.

“We’ll have someone in place and then Jameson will return for the trip to Altrincham on Tuesday. I thought we had a good case for his red card to be overturned, but the appeals panel didn’t see it that way.

“We now face a strong Brackley side that are almost certain to be in the play-offs again this season.

“We hit them with three early goals last year at Croft Park and it would be nice to get off to a good start again.”

Spartans have a mixed home record and Brackley a mixed away record for a game Blyth could do with winning. We are halfway through four six-pointers against other play-off rivals and have taken one point from the first two,” added Armstrong.

“Brackley are a strong side and will be formidable opponents, but we need all three points to keep in touch with the top seven.”

Blyth have also transferred striker Bradley Fewster to Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club Whitby Town.