After playing his part in Spartans last gasp win over Ilkeston left back Damen Mullen revealed his delight at the impact of new manager Tom Wade. The former Harrogate manager stepped up to take over at Spartans following the departure of Paddy Atkinson and Mullen revealed that the transition has been a positive one for the players. He said “Tom has had a good impact since he has taken over. All of the lads like him and respect him, training this week on Tuesday and Thursday have been great sessions. Everything is together and we are all getting on a lot better so I think we can go forward together and finish the season well. I know it’s been up and down but I think we can build on today and finish the season in a postive way”
A topsy turvy game that was high on effort but low on real quality ended with Spartans taking all three points and Mullen was delighted to see his side walk away with all three points and feels it is reward his team mate’s efforts throughout the ninety minutes. He said “We started really well and got the early goal. At that point you’re thinking we would go on and build on it but they got back into it. First half we were good but we need to stop giving sloppy goals away. They’re clearly a good side but we gave them two goals and that’s something we need to improve on. The lads stuck at it though and we have scored two really well worked goals and the build up to the penalty was some good interplay.”
Joe Kendrick’s injury time spot kick meant that Spartans took all three points from a tightly contested game and Mullen never had any doubts over his fellow defender’s chances of being successful from spot. He said “I didn’t have any doubts at all about Joe scoring, he has the confidence and a cracking left foot and I knew he would finish it as soon as he stepped up to the spot.”