Despite what Elton John might say sorry certainly isn’t the hardest word, not for Spartans manager Tom Wade anyway. The former Newcastle Benfield boss revealed that prior to tonight’s win over Frickley Athletic he had apologised to his coaching staff and players for being distracted during Saturday’s defeat to Kings Lynn Town. That defeat was put behind them in fine fashion at Croft Park tonight with a comfortable win over the Yorkshire outfit on what Wade called a “good night all round”
“All of the coaching staff had a chat about Saturday. I apologised to them and the players because I took my eye off the ball and I think it cost us the win against Kings Lynn Town. I was disappointed with myself but as far as we are concerned it is behind us. We wanted a clean sheet tonight and we got that, defensively we wanted to be more solid, we got that too. That allowed the front three to express themselves and meant that we got a well earned win so it’s a good night all round”
Wade and Assistant Manager Colin Myers pulled off something of a shock with their team selection as defender Joe Kendrick was utilised in a deep lying midfield role. That proved to a masterstroke as the former Mansfield Town man put in an assured performance alongside Matthew Wade and Craig Hubbard in the Spartans engine room and Wade was quick to pay tribute to the Irishman.
“Joe Kendrick was outstanding tonight, he bossed the midfield and talked the youngsters through the game. We have maybe lacked that a bit in midfield at times but Joe has the experience and he has been there and done that. He offered protection to the back four and got forward at the right times, I was really impressed”
New loan singing Sonny Andrews got his first goal for the club in only his second performance after completing a temporary move from Spennymoor Town on Friday. Wade revealed his delight at the impact of a player he called “top drawer” and feels that Andrews is only giving the Green Army a hint of what is to come.
“He’s a great lad, he’s top drawer and he wants to be here first and foremost. Really you haven’t seen anything from him yet because he is still settling but that’s happening very quickly. When you consider we have Ash Davis who has done well to come back, Arron Wearmouth to come back and the lads who played tonight we have so many options going forwards that it’s frightening at times”