Spartans midfielder Tom Berj returned to the starting lineup and felt that his side missed a chance to take all three points against Grantham Town. The former Sunderland RCA replaced the injured Shaun Vipond and put in a typically combatitive show but also showed the more creative side to his game as he set up Damon Mullen with an inch perfect pass that saw the winger secure a point for Spartans. However Berj feels one point was the very least his side deserved. He said “We are disappointed not to get the win because I thought we played well enough to get it. It was hard to play against a team like Grantham because they were very physical but we stood up well to that. We still think we should have taken more than just a point but we can make up for that in the near future.”
An absence through injury coupled with the improving form of midfield duo Neal Hooks and Shaun Vipond has meant that Berj has had to remain patient as he waited for a chance to challenge for a regular spot in the Spartans lineup. However he took his chance today narrowly missing out on the man of the match award to Shaun Utterson and Berj is up for the challenge of getting a spot in Paddy Atkinson and Tom Wade’s first choice eleven. He commented “Hopefully I can get back to full fitness soon after my injury and find my form to get into the side again. Everyone knows that I will give it my all and I will have to keep doing that.”
The Spartans managerial duo were seen giving a lengthy talk to Berj and his midfield partner for the day Neal Hooks and the diminutitive Berj revealed that they were given specific instructions that provided the base to a good performance from their side. “Me and Hooksy spoke to Paddy and Tom before the game and knew what had to be done. We were asked to take what we do on the training pitch to the pitch today. We needed to work harder, close down and not give the opposition anytime on the ball. I think we did that well today and hopefully can take this into the next few games”.