When Spartans manager Tom Wade went to bed on Saturday evening you would imagine in his wildest dreams there were images of a bouncing Croft Park, of an early goal and of a rampant FA Cup win over Conference side Altrincham.
So perhaps you could forgive Wade for pinching himself at full time on Sunday afternoon as those images came true. A bumper crowd of 1,763 were in attendance and all were in their places to see Robbie Dale’s fourth minute penalty kick off a 4-1 destruction of the Robins.
For an awestruck Wade this was dreamland indeed and he was bullish as he lavished praise on the players he and assistant Colin Myers entrusted to carry out their instructions.
“I thought we started well, we played a battling midfield to get control of the game and it worked. We maybe scored a little too early if that’s possible but we were awesome. Our energy levels were high and going forward they couldn’t handle us”
There had been a lot of national media focus on Spartans in the build up to the Altrincham tie and Wade’s lifelong support of the club was part of that. For a man who has witnessed so many memorable moments in the FA Cup as a supporter he admitted the experience of managing his club to a victory in the competition that has helped form it’s identity is a new one.
“I’m a Blyth lad and I was eight when I started coming here. It’s a great club and we know what the FA Cup means to this club. The lads we have here know it too but they are young and they just get on with it. It’s all new to me and to Colin I guess but it’s a fantastic occasion”
Spartans prize for their rampant win over Altrincham was a North East derby against SkyBet League Two side Hartlepool United, a game Wade hailed as a “great draw”. He also made it clear that the players as fully aware that they will be backed by a loyal band of supporters at Victoria Park.
“It’s a great draw isn’t it? It will be billed as a North East derby and I am sure our wonderful supporters will sell out our allocation of tickets. They’ve been with us all of the way so far and they will be with us at our shoulders.
I said before the Altrincham game they would be coming to face a town hungry for FA Cup success, well this time we will take the town to them, we are all in this together at Blyth Spartans”
For Spartans it is back to Croft Park again on Tuesday night as they make their bow in this season’s Doodson Sports Cup. Frickley Athletic are the visitors and whilst many see the competition as lower down the priority list at the club after confirming that Spanish forward Sammy Perez will make his competitive Spartans debut Wade admitted he is excited to see how his side get on.
“Tomorrow will give some of the players who have been patient to get their chance. Sammy Perez will play, as will the likes of Jonathyn Quinn, Arran Wearmouth, Damen Mullen and Danny Parker. Our squad is stronger than many may think and they will take their chances. I am excited to see what they can do because there’s a lot of massive games coming up”