The bank holiday is finally upon us! What better way to spend it than on the piss watching Spartans collect another 3 points on what will hopefully be a sunny day Buxton? Sadly though, this year we’ll have to do it without Hendy and his fire hazard of a DHgate Burberry shirt.
For Match tickets, you can’t appear to buy them online at the moment as Buxton’s ticketing website is an absolute heap of shit. So it looks like a it’s a pay on the door job tomorrow. Prices are as below, though they don’t make a great deal of sense like but never mind.
- Adults – £15
- Concessions – £10
- 16-21 – £5
- 5-15 – £2
Like last year, no segregation is set to be in place. Thankfully you can drink in the ground! They have a can bar which is pretty shite, and a clubhouse in the ground that does some okay beers from memory.
As for the locals, they were mostly dicks last year. Especially the small band of wannabe football fooligans who were behind the same goal as us during the first half. Hopefully they haven’t had overdone the blue smarties come kick off tomorrow though.
If you’re looking to get parked at the ground, good luck. Getting a parked on Silverlands road is a nightmare, and the local toffs don’t like you parking near their houses either. You might be able to get parked down one of the side streets, but worse case scenario you’ll need to park down the bank in the town centre, which will mean a delightful 5 min walk up a mountain.
As for pubs, you’ve got plenty to choose from! The bus will be stopping off at The Wye Bridge House, the traditional point for the lads when it comes to Buxton if you fancy joining us for a pint. Locally, you’ve also got Lubens, RedWillow, Buxton Tap and Brewery, The Swan and The Plough that all look like decent boozers, most doing food as well. As we’re are all simple folk though, we’ll likely stay in the spoons before we head up to the ground.
Spartans will still be without JJ O’Donnell, who wont be back until next Tuesday due to a concussion. Expect JJ Hooper to miss out as well, though I’ve ne idea what his injury situation is at the moment. Harry Arnison should be back and ready for action. Suspect we may even have a new face in the side as well.
Fents will likely have a big selection headache though, with Harrison Clark coming in last week and doing so well, along with Charlie Aitken. Depending on the formation we end up playing, Curtis Round may not get straight back in the team either.
As for Buxton, they’ve had a really weird season. After an influx of quality players right before the start of the season they’ve played 4 games, losing 2 and picking up 2 draws. Safe to say they’ve underperformed thus far and currently sit 20th in the league.
In defence, Buxton should be really difficult to break down on paper with centre backs Jake Hull and Max Hunt, who’ve just dropped down from higher levels. Both are tall lads and in theory, should be one of the best centre back pairings this league has to offer. Buxton still have Luke Shiels and he’s is still starting games for them at centre back though, with Hunt struggling to break into the starting XI. Zaine Francis-Angol will be a handful at left back. He’s a solid full back who’s great getting forward, as is right back Connor Brown. Former Sunderland and Darlington loanee Nathan Newell hasn’t been able to force himself into the squad much though.
Going forward, number 9 Diego De Girolamo will be a threat as he’s been at Buxton for a good few years and is well established in the team, though he only got 9 goals last season. Winger Sam Smart who’s not long dropped down from Eastleigh should also be a challenge for either Rhys or Lids, as will Tom Elliott. Experienced forwards Jordan Burrow and Scott Boden will no doubt be tough and physical threats as ever as well.
As for travel, no major roadworks should effect the drive down to Buxton. I’m aware trains will be effected later in the day, with a few strikes and cancelations already in place.
If you fancy a seat on the bus, feel free to get in touch! Leaving Blyth at 9am, price is £30 for members and £35 for non members.
If you’re making the journey down, safe travels and lets hope for another 3 points and loads of pints!
Dan’s prediction – 2-0 Spartans.
#HowayBlyth