Blyth Spartans v AFC Telford: Rob Edwards full of belief

The Bucks have already faced the Green Army on two occasions – once in National League North and once in the FA Trophy, writes Joe Edwards.

They lost both. Blyth won 3-2 in the league at the New Bucks Head back in September, before beating Rob Edwards’ side 1-0 at Croft Park in the first round of the Trophy in December.

Despite those troubles, and Telford being third bottom in the league with eight games to go, Edwards is entering this encounter with optimism.

“It helps, knowing what they’re all about, having played them a couple of times already this season,” he said.

“It’s another really tough game for us, a different challenge.

“We’re having to leave very early tomorrow morning, and that’s just something clubs have to do.

“We’ll try to put in a performances similar to those recently.

“Things on the pitch have been good.”

A lot of fans may argue that point with Telford being a point from safety, and going into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Bradford Park Avenue on Monday night. But Edwards was pleased with a lot of the things he saw at Horsfall Stadium.

He was just frustrated by their failure to be ruthless in both boxes.

“We went back through the game, like we always do,” said Edwards.

“We re-watched the second half and we actually did more going forward.

“We had more corners than them, three to two. We got into the box more times than them, 20 to 15.

“We had seven shots, two on target. They had five, two on target – and of course scored both of them.

“We had more of the play in the second half, but it’s those details.

“We didn’t make the most of our chances, which is frustrating.”

Set to return to the fold is Amari Morgan-Smith, who has completed a three-match ban for his sending off in the defeat at Southport.

Kane Richards picked up a slight knock on Monday but should be fine.

Telford need wins, but they would take a point here before three home games in a row – Leamington on Monday, Spennymoor Town on Thursday and Chorley a week on Saturday.

Blyth will be desperate for all three points as they have just slipped outside the play-off places, with Stockport County occupying seventh spot due to a better goal difference.

They want to bounce back after a 4-1 defeat to Salford City.