21/22 Match Preview: Spennymoor Town

The Lions are back at Nethermoor for one final time this season on Bank Holiday Monday with Spennymoor Town the visitors in a 3pm kick-off. 

Match sponsored by: SB Plumbing and Heating

Match ball sponsors: Complete Care Agency

Tickets can be purchased online in advance here, tickets will also be on sale on the day at the turnstiles with payment by cash only, it is also cash payments only inside the ground for programmes, food and drink and 50/50 cash draw tickets. The clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.

Steve Kittrick Lions go into the game knowing a win is likely to be the only result that will take the battle for survival down to the final game of the season on Saturday at Alfreton Town, a draw would be enough if AFC Telford United were to lose at Southport.

Previous Meetings

The Lions travelled to Brewery Field in our first away game of 2022 and fell to a 2-1 defeat after Jordan Thewlis’ equaliser either side of Rob Ramshaw and Ryan Hall strikes saw the game end in a 2-1 defeat in January.

This brought to an end a two match winning streak against the Moors.


The Lions’ Form Book

The Lions go into the game with a 3-0 defeat to playoff bound Kidderminster Harriers behind them but did pick up a point last time out at Nethermoor against Curzon Ashton.

A point might be enough to take the battle down to the final day if AFC Telford United and/or Farsley Celtic lose their respective penultimate matches of the season.

AFC Telford United sit three points above ourselves but with a far superior goal difference effectively placing them four points ahead, Farsley meanwhile are four points ahead but with a worse goal difference.

Telford travel to Southport and Farsley are on the road at Darlington tomorrow before The Bucks face York City at home on the final day and Farsley host Boston United.


A Look At Spennymoor Town

Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley made the move to the North East after they departed Chester following Lewis Hey’s strike in a 1-0 win back in November.

Since their arrival in December Town have won nine matches, drawn seven and lost seven but they are still in the race for a playoff spot.

Spennymoor are three points outside the playoffs with Kettering, Alfreton, Boston and York their main rivals for sixth or seventh place.

The Moors include former Lions Jordan Amissah, Jordan Preston and Jordan Thewlis in their squad with both Amissah and Thewlis set to face their former club for the first time since their departures earlier this campaign.

Former Lion John Lufudu is contracted to Spennymoor and has just completed a loan spell with Ashton United.


A Look At The Lions

The Lions were boosted by the returns of Jamie Spencer, Kaine Felix and Prince Ekpolo on Saturday but did lose Regan Hutchinson to injury at the end of the first half.

Spencer made his first start in over three months on Saturday and Ollie Brown gained his first minutes under Caretaker Manager Steve Kittrick after he replaced Hutchinson.

James Gale, Lewis Hey, Andy Hollins, Hamza Bencherif, Scott McLean, Shaun Tuton and Bailey Thompson all missed the trip to Worcestershire.

Jason Sraha has also made his last Lions appearance of the campaign after Barnsley recalled the defender to start their Championship fixture with Preston North End on Saturday.


What Are They Saying?

Speaking after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Kidderminster Harriers Caretaker Manager Steve Kittrick said: “The first and last ten minutes are crucial in football matches, we had a game plan on what we wanted to do, we stuck to that and frustrated them for long periods of time.”

“Is the penalty a penalty? I don’t know, I have just asked the ref and he said the ball hit our player on the arm, the rule is if it hits a player on the arms it is a penalty but where do you put your arms?”

“We had three chances to put the ball away, Adam Haw goes through when we’re 1-0 down and then fell over the ball. That is just the luck of where we are at the moment. We have had to put two midfielders at centre half because of Sraha’s recall by Barnsley, with Hamza it is a different kettle of fish but I think we coped quite well. Unless we start putting the chances away we create then we are making it difficult for ourselves.”

“Ollie came on and did well but Regan has also been playing well, he hurt it earlier on. Josh Stones then collided with the corner flag and he has hurt the top of his foot so we were playing with ten men for the last five or ten minutes.”

“We have got to get a win or something out of Monday to take it to the last day, we have to be mentally strong to do that. We have to remember we have a lot of young players here who are thrown in at the deep end. I hoped we would get something today and we did play some nice football in the second half.”

“We have got to dust ourselves down, we have two cup finals to go.”

“I think it would be massive if we were to stay up, we have to remember we have some very young in experienced players at this level. It will be great for their development as players but sometimes it is men against boys. I will do everything I possibly can to keep us up.”

“Monday is a massive, massive game. I would like to get as much support as possible on Monday and hope we can take it into the last game hopefully we can take a lot of people to Alfreton and let’s see if we can stay up. We will do the best we can.”

“We have got to be strong and organised and have a go and we will have a go.”

Tickets for the game with Spennymoor Town can be purchased at the turnstiles on the day with cash payment only or online in advance here. Don’t forget to pick up a matchday programme for just £3, it is packed full with exclusive content with what you will find inside here.

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