Trust is a vital foundation block of any relationship and it is something which Spartans’ manager Tom Wade embraces. His young side, with experience waiting in the wings, repaid his trust in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Droylsden.
“They all did really well,” he said. “Mind you it wasn’t plain sailing. Droylsden are a hard working side who tried to play good football and they created a few half chances and didn’t make it easy for us. But we had a very good first 45 minutes although in the second half I thought we lacked a few ideas.”
Midfielder Matty Wade put Blyth ahead after 29 minutes with a stunning effort.
“Matty had a really effective first half and he took his goal well. He and Lewis Horner worked excellently together, complementing each other’s style of play. They are both only 21 and are part of the future of the club,” Wade said.
Within ten minutes the home side extended their lead through Sonny Andrews.
Wade commented: “We were thinking of resting him for the game but he said he wanted to play. I always want players to be positive so he started up front. A great pass from Matty set him up nicely and he showed real composure to finish well.”
One of three substitutions in the second half made by Blyth saw Ryan Cummings replacing Andrews and it was he who rounded off a solid showing from the Spartans.
“Ryan has so much going on in his footballing life,” said the Blyth boss. “He plays for England Colleges, schools football and England Colleges. He’s only 17, still a very young lad, but he is another we need to keep a hold of and develop. He wasn’t at all fazed when Robbie Dale’s cross found him in the box. He didn’t smash the ball home but showed a cool head by stroking it in.”
Trust is also the word Wade uses when talking about his assistant Colin Myers.
“Colin is classed as my assistant but he is really a manager in his own right,” he said. “It’s pointless having good people around you if you don’t make use of their qualities. I trust him, he trusts the players and they trust him. He brings some fresh ideas to the table and he picked Tuesday’s squad and team. He is a top man and I back him to the hilt.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s trip to Grantham Wade said: “We will be looking to push on. We have established footballers in the form of Neal Hooks and Craig Hubbard waiting for their chance to return to the side and Ash Davis will be back in the fold as well at the weekend so there is a lot of experienced to come in.”