A win against a former club is always sweet and today, upon his return to Whitby Town’s Turnbull Ground, Spartans manager Tommy Cassidy was delighted to come away with all three points as Spartans ran out 3-1 winners. Not that the former Northern Ireland International harbours an ill will towards his former club, it was all about Spartans and he was delighted with his side’s win. Cassidy said “Obviously the three points are more important than anything. The good thing is we scored three goals, created lots of chances and came away with a well deserved win”. There was a word of caution from Cassidy for his side though. “We still aren’t the finished article and we need to dominate longer in games, not just in twenty minute spells.”
In a crazy last ten minutes Spartans contrived to miss five clear cut chances to win the game but got the win when a Joe Kendrick penalty and a stoppage time effort from Robbie Dale were added to Phil Airey’s second goal in two games. However Cassidy was always confident that his side would take a chance. “When you’re missing chances you do start to wonder what’s going on and if it’s not going to be your day but there was some excellent play in the attacking third from us today. We kept at it and created a lot down the channels and I’m happy with that.”
Just as Spartans left back Joe Kendrick has done today, Cassidy praised the travelling Green Army as Spartans took a strong contingent of supporters to the Turnbull Ground. “Our fans certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves today and they need to realise how important they are to us. When I was a player you could feel the fans getting behind you and it helps. When you come out and they are getting behind you it gives you confidence. When Marine come to Croft Park on Saturday I want our supporters doing that again and getting right behind us from three o’clock onwards but they have been fantastic for us today”.