Spartans manager Tom Wade spoke to Programme Editor Adam Sancaster ahead of another trip to the North West as he prepares his side to take on Chorley.
On Friday night Spartans confirmed three new signings in time for Saturday’s clash with Witton Albion, as Michal Misiewicz, Marc Lancaster and Lewis Horner all put pet to paper on deals with the club.
Misiewicz has been training with the squad since pre-season and has finally received international clearance to link up with the club. “Magic Mike” is Spartans’ first ever Greek-born player and played a part in all four of Canada’s London 2012 qualification games, as well as representing the country up to U23 level.
The goalkeeper put in a Man of the Match performance on his Blyth debut, saving a penalty and keeping a clean sheet, to ensure the nine man Spartans side came away with all three points from the Help for Heroes Stadium.
Talking about his performance Wade said: “He had an excellent game; it was a debut that he won’t be forgetting for a long time.
“Conor has been playing through an injury during the last two games, so Mike’s clearance has come at a welcome time. Both Mike and Conor travelled to Saturday’s game and an assessment was made on Conor’s fitness, in the end we decided not to play him as it would have risked further aggravating his injury.
“We’re very lucky to be in the unique position in which find ourselves, we have two of the best goalkeepers in the league in the same squad, and deciding who will be number one in the future will be a welcome headache.”
In lieu of his impressive weekend performance, and Grant’s fitness struggles, Wade acknowledged that “Magic Mike” is very likely start tomorrow’s evening clash with league leaders Chorley.
In addition to Misiewicz both Lancaster and Horner signed with the club, having started their careers at Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.
Lancaster, who made an impressive debut in Spartans’ mid-week win over previously unbeaten Ashton United as well as a solid performance in Saturday’s win, is already proving to be a valuable member of the squad. He is one of three natural left fullbacks available to Wade, alongside Captain Joe Kendrick and fellow new signing Ian Watson, who played in front of Lancaster on Tuesday night’s triumph over Ashton at Croft Park.
Talking about the versatile defender that can play either left back, or left wing, Wade said: “He [Lancaster] has been brought in to offer competition to Joe and Busted [Ian Watson], on the left hand side of defence, and made an impressive debut on Tuesday night.
“Lancaster played against us for Benfield in a pre-season friendly so some supporters may have recognised him at the mid-week game, before his signing was officially announced. I have been aware of him for some time as he has played for the County with some of the other lads, he’s a good player who will add to the squad.”
Horner, 21, joins an already crowded central midfield but is likely to be presented an opportunity to start tomorrow evening due to central midfielders Hubbard, Wade, Mullen and Cummings all being unavailable. “Hubs” and his wife are expecting the birth of a child, so the father-to-be will be unable to travel with the squad. Wade is unlikely to shake off the injury suffered winning the penalty that was the catalyst for Saturday’s win, following a vicious two-footed challenge from Witton winger Danny Andrews. Mullen and Cummings will also not feature in the squad; the latter representing England at collegiate level.
Wade conceded that competition will be fierce for a place in the Blyth midfield, but is confident Horner will be able to produce when called upon. “There’s no denying we now have numbers in the middle of the park, when everyone is fully fit an available, but that is so rarely the case. Before these signings we only had a sixteen man squad, now with more players available we will have options throughout the season irrespective of inevitable injuries and absences.”