Mitchell out to beat his employers

MANAGER Terry Mitchell is determined to end Blyth’s challenging season with silverware tonight when the Spartans face Newcastle United Under-23s in the

Northumberland Senior Cup final.

The Croft Park club have endured a difficult campaign as they spent the majority of the last nine months battling against relegation from the National League North.

Their status in non-league’s second tier was only confirmed last weekend when they won 1-0 at title-chasing Brackley Town thanks to a superb overhead kick from top scorer JJ O’donnell.

Spartans have ended the season with a positive run of form and Monday’s 1-0 home victory against Curzon Ashton means they head into their meeting with the young Magpies with just one defeat in their last seven games.

Just a week ago, the St James’ Park clash had seemed an inconvenience for Mitchell and his players with the scheduling of the final leaving his small squad facing four key games in the space of seven days.

Yet with National League North safety now secured, the

Spartans’ boss wants to deliver a trophy as a thank you to fans for their backing during a hard year.

He said: “I said it all along but I have always wanted to win this season’s Northumberland Senior Cup and that means beating Newcastle at St James Park.

“I don’t mind saying, the final would have been last on our list of priorities if we had not been safe from relegation.

“It is a near-impossible schedule we have been handed but the league would have to have been the priority because as a club we need to be in the National League North.

“Now, it is different because we have league security thanks to last weekend’s win at Brackley.

“St James’ Park is a fantastic stadium, I work for Newcastle United, I support Newcastle United and I always have done from being a lad.

“Now I am taking my football club to try and beat Newcastle and win some silverware for our supporters.

“They have had a tough season, now it is time to give them something back.”

Mitchell will assess the fitness of several squad members following their two bank holiday weekend games.