“It was obviously very disappointing to lose at Witton and Workington,” said Blyth manager Tommy Cassidy. “But we now have to concentrate on the next 30-odd League games-that’s the bigger picture.”
The Spartans boss went in to the FA Cup replay in Cumbria with depleted troops at his disposal. A situation which was soon to get even worse shortly into the game.
“Young Tom Berj and Lee Mason both picked up knee injuries,” he commented. “I put on Callum Hassan and Jake Turnbull and had to move our main goal scorer Craig Farrell in to midfield. That left Paul King and sub goalkeeper Matty Hunter on the bench. However Paul said he was feeling ill and I actually thought about putting Matty on in an outfield position!
“On top of that Phil Airey was struggling with a groin injury, Sam Hodgson wasn’t 100% and Callum had a sore ankle. “I’m just pleased that we don’t have a game on Saturday to give some players the chance to recover and we won’t be training before then.”
Getting back to the ‘bigger picture’ Cassidy was positive.
“I’m still optimistic we can do well in the League. We need to start afresh, refresh the squad and get on with it.”