As returns go Spartans midfielder Stephen Turnbull couldn’t really complain with a comprehensive FA Cup win at Skelmersdale United. However after making his third “debut” for the club Turnbull explained that it was a familiar feeling having won by the same scoreline when he returned to the club two years ago. The former Hartlepool United man hailed the win over a high flying Skem outfit but declared it wasn’t a surprise given the quality in the Spartans squad.
“I think the last time I came back I think we won 4-1 that day too so it’s becoming a bit of a pattern. This time though we have to carry it on and the fact they are near the top of our league and we have just done that to them shows the quality we have here. From one to eleven today we were brilliant but it’s not a surprise because we have so much quality in the squad”
Kenny Strickland’s fantastic twenty five yard effort had pegged back Spartans after Jarrett Rivers gave Tom Wade’s side the lead midway through the half. However Turnbull was always confident that his side would be in the draw for the Third Qualifying Round on Monday as they made their way out for the second half.
“I had no doubt at half time we would come out second half and beat them. Colin Myers came in at half time and said sometimes it happens when a team will score a world class goal like that but we all had the confidence that we would win the game”
Turnbull was quick to praise the travelling Green Army as the Spartans faithful made up more than half of the overall attendance and gave constant vocal backing to the players, something the midfielder admitted the players appreciate.
“Spartans have this thing with the FA Cup and the supporters love it don’t they? I love playing for them and the atmosphere in the club house when they were singing our names, that’s the reason players should want to come to this club. They make you want to do more and we do appreciate what they do. They’ve spent their money and we have to show what we think of them”