Beer festival launches friendlies campaign

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Blyth Spartans are kicking off their pre-season campaign at home to local rivals Whitley Bay as part of a weekend of fun at the club led by the inaugural 'Blyth Spartans Beer Festival'.

The Seahorses make the trip along the coast on Saturday 5 July, with the game kicking off at 3pm. The clubs met in pre-season twelve months ago with Spartans winning both fixtures.

Early goals from Dan Maguire and Joe Kendrick gave Tom Wade’s side a 2-1 win at Croft Park with the return game taking place at Hillheads seven days later. On that day Lee Mason, Robbie Dale and Rob Nolan gave Spartans a comfortable win and they will be looking to start pre-season in equally impressive fashion.

Supporters will see more than a friendly for Tom Wade's side that weekend after officials announced on Friday that the game is taking place in the middle of their first ever beer festival, the three day event taking place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 July.

Punk band Hand Held are also set to entertain fans at the Spartans clubhouse on the Friday night with Croft Park hosting a family fun day with a free bouncy castle, face painting and a BBQ for fans and their families to enjoy on the Sunday.

A Blyth spokesman said: "This will give supporters a chance to enjoy some of the greatest real ales Northumberland has ever seen and will play part in a busy weekend for the club."