Spartans defender Carl Jones says that everyone involved at the club has to stay upbeat despite the last minute defeat in the season opener at Witton Albion yesterday. The big centre back made his comeback from injury in the game at the Help for Heroes Stadium and looked all set to have helped his side come away with a point, only for Anthony Gardner’s last minute penalty to snatch all three points for Albion. Jones said “We need to regroup straight away and get it out of our system. It’s important to stay positive and look forward to Tuesday. We will look to keep the ball better and stay together but we need to stay solid as a group and positive”
A pretty even first half when both sides had chances was followed by a poor second half display from Spartans that allowed the home side to take the initiative and the newly promoted Albion deserved the win. Reflecting on the display as a whole former Gateshead centre back Jones said “Really disappointing, the way things happened in the end was disappointing. We have played better and with what we have in the dressing room we all know what we are capable of. They started off bright but we contended with that and concentrated only playing our own football, then put them under pressure a bit and came in even at half time. Second half they took over and were the better side, it’s difficult to take”.
On a more positive note for Jones he made his comeback from an injury hit campaign last season and suffered a shoulder injury in a pre-season game against Tonbridge Angels four weeks ago, but managed to get a full game under his belt today. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to play football. It’s been well reported the setbacks I have had and somethings have been out of my control when it’s been like that. Now I’ve just got to look forward and do the best I can when I’m on the pitch for Blyth Spartans and bounce back from today straight away starting on Tuesday”
Jones and Spartans will be looking to recover from the defeat at Witton Albion when Stocksbridge Park Steels visit Croft Park on Tuesday night.