Spartans top scorer Craig Farrell may have drawn a blank against Workington today but was delighted to have seen his side rewarded for a much improved second half show as Tom Berj’s injury time goal earned a replay. The six goal striker only had one real chance at goal a matter of minutes before Berj’s effort but curled his shot over the bar. However he was delighted to see Spartans gain another crack at the Reds this coming Tuesday. Farrell commented “Obviously we are delighted, we earned that second half by playing in their half and pushing them back. It really did show that when we are on the front foot we are a far better side for it”
However Farrell saw room for improvement as the Blue Square North side dominated the opening period and could have went into the interval more than a goal to the good. “We were far too deep and the gap between myself and Phil (Airey) and the rest of the team was too much so we couldn’t get out. The ball couldn’t be held up and we were under too much pressure. Overall they were passing and moving better but second half we were the much better side.”
Farrell found himself partnering another new striker as former Workington and Hartlepool United front man Callum Hassan made his Spartans debut as a substitute for Airey and Farrell praised the impact the powerful Hassan had on the game. “He did really well and he’s certainly a presence. He’s big, he’s strong and he obviously has some goals in him. You can’t knock what he’s done today and let’s see more of it.”
Goalscorer Tom Berj also found himself praised by Farrell and he feels that the young midfielder has earned himself that goal for a whole hearted show. Farrell commented “He did well today, really well in fact. He got around the pitch and put them under pressure a lot. In fact sometimes he needs to slow down because everything is a hundred miles an hour but he knows that and that will come up with age. It’s great for him and being the smallest lad on the pitch it’s always great to get a header in there”.