By Matt Lawton
August 30 2006

Saturday afternoon sees RMI make the long trip to Northumberland to take on a Blyth Spartans that are flying high in their first season in the Conference North. The last meeting between these sides took place more than six years ago when a bumper Hilton Park crowd witnessed RMI being presented with the Unibond League championship trophy upon their promotion to the Conference on a sunny May day in 2000.

The sides now meet in the Conference North in a game that, judging by the recent form of both sides, is sure to be a cracker. Despite only being promoted from the Unibond League in time for the start of the current season, Blyth have got twelve points from their first six games and as such are currently at the top of the league ladder, whilst defending an unbeaten record at their Croft Park home.

RMI meanwhile made a torrid start to the season, losing their first two games, but they go to Blyth on the back of a four game unbeaten record, including a record of failing to concede a goal in more than six hours of football since Stuart Humphreys was appointed manager following the resignation of predecessor Andy Nelson.

Bank Holiday Monday saw RMI record a terrific 2-0 home victory over Gainsborough Trinity, and after a tremendously vocal performance from the home supporters, a similar atmosphere is expected at the partisan Croft Park with the RMI players receiving an obvious boost from the increased support they have received in recent weeks.

The journey from Leigh to Croft Park is just short of 170 miles, and can be reached as follows;

Join the M61 motorway at junction 3 (signposted Manchester, Leeds) before joining the M60 motorway at junction 1 (signposted Ring Road (N and E), Bury, Leeds), continuing forward onto the M62 (signposted Leeds, Huddersfield, Rochdale). Leave the M62 at junction 29, then immediately take the left-hand lane to join the M1 motorway (signposted The North, Leeds). At Junction 47, continue forward (signposted The North (A1), Wetherby M1), continuing forward before joining the A1(M). Continue along the A1, before reaching Seaton Burn Roundabout, where you need to take the 3rd exit onto the A19 (signposted Tyne Tunnel). At the second roundabout, take A189 (signposted Ashington). Branch left, then merge onto the A1061 (signposted Blyth A1061). At the first roundabout, take turnoff signposted A1061 Blyth and follow the road to second roundabout, straight across (A1061). At the third roundabout, go straight across (A1061 Town Centre/South Beach). At the fourth roundabout, turn left onto A193 (Ind Estate). At the fifth roundabout, go straight across (A193 – Ind Estate), before turning right onto Plessey Road at the sixth roundabout, with the ground now on your left hand side.

Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday afternoon - c'mon Leythers!