Spartans striker Phil Airey made his return from a groin injury and helped Spartans to three points as the Amble born front man scored a brace in a 4-2 win and he was positive about his own prospects and those of his side after the win. Two clinical finishes from the former Newcastle United Academy prospect showed the little bit of class that Spartans have missed in his absence but Airey is hoping for more goals over the coming weeks. He said “It’s great to be back on the scoresheet and I thought I was starting to get into a bit of a drought after scoring a few early season. The lads have played well today and they’ve given me the chances to score and I’m happy to have taken them, hopefully there will be more to come.”
A frustrating few weeks for Airey has seen his unable to help his side out of the recent dip in form but he was delighted to be back on the pitch after picking up the injury in the FA Cup exit at Workington three weeks ago. “It’s great to be back and I’m really happy to have got over the groin injury, I thought it would have kept me out longer but it’s healed a lot quicker than we expected. It’s great to be back training with the lads but there’s nothing like playing. Hopefully we can now get back on form and get a few wins to help us get back up that table”.
Airey was partnered up front by Spartans new boy Ryan McGorrigan and he is familiar with the twenty year old forward after spending time at Newcastle United’s academy together and Airey was quick to praise his fellow hitman. He said “Ryan has settled in really really well, he’s coping well and obviously I know him having played together at Newcastle United. He’s a great lad and has a great attitude. He keeps his head down and if he keeps working he will go on to get many more goals for us”.