Blyth Spartans midfielder Neal Hooks paid tribute to team mate Dan Maguire after the in-form striker put in a hardworking performance in the win over Kings Lynn Town.
Maguire has been in fine form recently, with recent braces against Ramsbottom United and Marine, as well as the killer third goal in the win at the Lanes. Hooks admitted that the striker is a key part of the side and was delighted to see him get a reward for his hard work.
“Dan is a great outlet for everyone in the side and he is such a hard worker. Recently he has been in great form and it is fantastic that he is getting the rewards for his hard work. There is nothing better than seeing him score because he deserves it for what he does for the side”
An honest Hooks felt that his side hadn’t put in their strongest performance in the win over the Linnets and didn’t play the brand of football that they have been displaying recently. However, he stressed just how important a win it was if they were to stay in with a chance of securing a play off place come the end of the season.
“It was a solid win and it’s difficult after such a long journey down here. We didn’t always play the type of football we can but at the moment getting wins is more important so we are deighted we have done that”
Much has been made of the travelling time and distance Hooks and his team mates have had imposed on them by their hectic fixture list recently. The journey to Kings Lynn is one of their longest of the season and the midfielder was happy to see his side shake off the effects of the long travel and felt the win could have been secured earlier than Maguire’s clincher ten minutes from time.
“It does take you time to get going after the journey but we started well today for a change. We could have got a couple of goals ahead and we probably should have in the early stages, that might have killed the game off but we couldn’t do that. We got there in the end and it’s a big win for us”