Football: Blyth beat off weather problems - but now they need cover for their players.Byline: Stuart Rayner THE weather has conspired against Harry Dunn's team selection tonight but with a lucrative television slot at stake, Blyth Spartans have ensured the Croft Park Croft Park is a football stadium in Blyth, Northumberland. It is home to Blyth Spartans A.F.C., who play in the Blue Square Conference North. It was opened by Mrs Clarke of Bellister Castle, Haltwhistle on the 1 September 1909. pitch will not fall foul of it tonight. The postponement of Saturday's Conference North game at Solihull Moors was a double whammy double whammy Noun informal a devastating setback made up of two elements double whammy n (col) → palo doble double whammy n (inf for Spartans but their own pitch was covered last night to make sure they do not miss out on a pounds 40,000 pay-out from Setanta Sports Setanta Sports (pronunciation: [sɛˈtantə]) is an international sports broadcaster, operating 12 channels in 24 countries. The availability of these channels varies depending on the delivery platform and location. , who are screening the replay against Bournemouth live. Midfielder Chris McCabe and the versatile Gary Brown This page is on the American footballer. For the Irish Rugby player see Gary Brown (rugby player). Gary Leroy Brown (born July 1, 1969 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania) is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 8th round of were both due to sit out the trip to Solihull through suspension, but their bans will now be served tonight. McCabe marked the Cherries' former England World Cup player Darren Anderton Darren Robert Anderton (born 3 March 1972 in Southampton) is an English football player currently the captain of Bournemouth. He has amassed a total of 30 caps for his country, scoring 7 times. (now retired) at Dean Court and Brown may well have been asked to fill his midfield role had he been available. The postponement means Blyth are now four games and two points behind Solihull and Hyde United, the teams immediately above the Conference North relegation zone they are stuck in. Spartans have a further three players ineligible tonight, cup-tied winger Karl Richards, goalkeeper Mark Snowden and left-back Alex White. Blyth have already beaten one League Two side in Shrewsbury Town, and held Bournemouth to a 0-0 draw on their own turf last month. Striker Robbie Dale believes the performances of the non-league contingent in this season's FA Cup shows the gap with the Football League is closing. "I think it is," he said. "Droylsden are still in it and Barrow are playing Middlesbrough in the next round. There's a lot of teams from our level who've caused us problems. Eastwood are the level below us and Kettering have only just got promoted from our level and one of those will be in the next round. I don't know if it's the knock-on effect of the top two levels getting better and better and it's dripping down the league. You can see it when teams get promoted and they push for the play-offs the next season." Bournemouth striker Michael Symes has returned from his loan at Shrewsbury but Alan Connell is expected to shake off a knee problem to play. Blyth have already beaten one League Two side in Shrewsbury Town and held Bournemouth to a 0-0 draw Eastwood are the level below us and Kettering have only just got promoted and one of those will be in the next round |
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