Let’s beat Lancaster at the first attempt, rallies Armstrong

BLYTH Spartans manager Alun Armstrong is keen for his rejuvenated side not to be staging an FA Trophy replay on Tuesday.

Spartans head for the Giant Axe tomorrow to take on the Dolly Blues of Lancaster City in the first round of the Trophy.

It’s a tie that carries a purse of £6,000 and a midweek replay should the two sides not be separated at the end of 90 minutes.

Lancaster are 16th in the league below Blyth, the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, and have struggled for wins on home soil.

The Dolly Blues have won only three of their 15 games at the Giant Axe – but have lost only one of their last seven outings.

Blyth enter the tie on the back of five straight wins and 15 goals, Armstrong keen to get the job done in Lancashire.

He told The Chronicle: “Lancaster are new to me and I haven’t been to their ground, but the aim is to win at the first attempt.

“Like us, Lancaster have picked up after a poor start to the season and they must have something if they can knock Guiseley out.

“They were only minutes away from beating them at home and then won Tuesday’s replay in Yorkshire, so they’ll be in good spirits.

“Our attitude has to be right as a replay is the last thing we want with the busy Christmas period coming up.”

Blyth, who beat Marske United in the previous round, are again unable to play on-loan Hartlepool defender Aaron Cunningham.

Midfield man Kieran Green is a doubt with a knee injury as an in-form Blyth bid for a sixth straight win.