For Blyth Spartans manager Tom Wade the greatest reward from his side’s last two games is not the four points gained but the belief and confidence it has instilled in his squad.
A narrow win over an impressive Curzon Ashton outfit was quickly followed by Monday night’s last gasp draw at in-form Ilkeston. Wade believes that the positive results against two play off contenders will have long-lasting effects on his players.
“They are two very good results against two play-off contenders and most importantly two sides who are in good form. There may have been a bit of a hangover from the FA Cup exit but that is right behind us now.
The players showed belief and showed that we are all in this together. They trust each other and you could see in both games that the belief is growing and rightly so”
Wade also believes that the foundations for the two results took root in one of his side’s most memorable results of the season.
Spartans hit the national headlines with the 2-1 FA Cup Second Round win over Hartlepool United, a result gained after his side overturned a half time deficit and Wade could see similarities between the Victoria Park win and the two results gained over the weekend.
“I think this started at Hartlepool to be honest. Sometimes as a manager you take a backseat and let the players do the talking before you get involved. They did that at Hartlepool and you could see them thinking they were showing the opposition too much respect.
I think at Ilkeston and on Saturday against Curzon there was a little bit of that but the lads spoke about it and then just went out and put on a real show. You have to realise how far this squad has come in two years and there are maturing. It’s been a great couple of days for us”