As he reflected on his side’s exit from the Northumberland Senior Cup at the hands of Whitley Bay, Paddy Atkinson bemoaned Spartans’ lack of a killer touch. Atkinson’s side got themselves into several decent positions and created chances but couldn’t find the finishing touches as their Northern League opponants gave them a lesson in finishing by taking two of their better chances. The newly installed Spartans manager said “I’m not too disappointed but they have taken their chances and we haven’t, it’s as simple as that really. There is an element of luck about the first as the ball could have went anywhere and it’s fallen to Chow who couldn’t miss. The second one was a very well worked goal though.”
Therein lies a listen for the Spartans strikers according to Atkinson and a one that he will continue to drum into them. He said “We are constantly telling our strikers to stay in and around the six yard box and stay alert. In the first half we have put three or four great balls across that six yard box and they were begging to be tapped in but nobody was alert. We have to penetrate the box more and that’s something we need to work on in training.”
However rather than dwelling on the Cup exit Atkinson pleaded with his side to look forward to a massive clash with Nantwich Town on Saturday at Croft Park as Spartans try to get themselves involved with the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League play off chase. They will look to extend their unbeaten run at their home ground and carry on the recent improvement in their league form and Atkinson wants a reaction.
The former Newcastle Benfield manager said “We need a reaction on Saturday against Nantwich. The league is more important and yes the Senior Cup is a nice distraction but the league is more important for us. We know we have to strengthen and it’s something we are working on but now we can focus on getting league points together and that starts on Saturday”.