Spartans decimated

Nov 21 2009 by Steve Brown, The Journal

FA Trophy

THE cavalry is coming to Blyth. From Newcastle and Jarrow.

The Spartans have been decimated by injuries ahead of today’s FA Trophy third qualifying round clash at home to fellow Blue Square North side Stafford Rangers.

Robbie Dale’s rehabilitation programme following knee cartilage surgery is progressing as planned, with the striker due back in early December, and Chris McCabe could be out for up to six weeks with an ankle ligament injury, bruising to which has been described by physio Gary Neasham as “colourful to say the least”.

Meanwhile John Brackstone (rib), Ian Graham (groin), Paul Brayson and Mark Bell (both knee) are doubts this afternoon, with Graham and Brayson set to undergo late fitness tests.

Blyth had only three fit substitutes for last week’s 3-1 defeat to Eastwood Town, when Adrian Webster played his last game for the club before moving to Australia.

Manager Mick Tait has enquired about the availability of any surplus talent at Blue Square Premier side Gateshead, while efforts to sign free agent Trevor Benjamin failed when the former Leicester City striker priced himself out of a move.

But Blyth have had some success in the transfer market – yesterday they completed the signings of Newcastle United reserve-team winger James Marwood and Jarrow Roofing striker Michael Hepplewhite.

The son of former Arsenal star Brian, 19-year-old Marwood “is a fast winger, who provides good crosses and is capable of shooting from distance”, a Spartans spokesman said, adding of fellow 19-year-old Hepplewhite: “Michael has scored six goals in the Northern League (Division Two) for Jarrow this season and is part of Mick Tait’s Gateshead College side, where he is the leading scorer.”

Both are available for this afternoon’s game, as is Mark Doninger, who has returned from a trial spell in Singapore.

The Spartans have yet to play Stafford in the league this season but the two sides are evenly matched. Blyth sit 12th in the table with 19 points from 16 games, while Rangers are one place below on the same points tally but from two games more.

STEVE BROWN