Blyth manager Tom Wade and his players had been waiting since early February for Saturday’s clash with Workington at Croft Park on Monday.
“We’ve been champing at the bit for this return fixture to come round. Since we lost at their place a couple of months ago the lads have all been looking forward to playing them again. The pitch in the first game killed us and we picked up some injuries because of it. It was simply a horrible day out all round.”
Wade continued: “We’ve had a blip in form recently. Some people were panicking but I’ve always had faith in the players and the signs were there to be seen at Stamford that we were returning to the form and style of old. We changed a few thing s on the pitch for the Workington game, which could have been a little bit of a worry, but all the lads did exceptionally well. It was good to start brightly and the early goal settled us down, which helped.”
Wade was as stunned as anyone in the crowd by Robbie Dale’s first goal of the game.
“Robbie’s been playing out of his skin recently. In the last two or three matches he’s always been ready and able to drive us on. That goal on Monday was simply magic. Not many footballers could do what he did. To flick the ball up, spot the keeper off his line, and volley over his head to score from that distance required amazing technique!”
The Spartans boss commented on the fact that Dale has seemingly had a freer role than of late, often picking the ball up in the centre of midfield and driving forward.
“I always want the front four to move around but they’ve previously been a little nervous. Some people say we should play two up front; someone to accompany Nipa [Daniel Maguire] but in fact we actually play with four up there. That’s the way I see it.”
Wade also had words for his goalkeeper and the Blyth fans.
“Adam McHugh, I think, had his best game in a Spartans shirt. He looked confident and his kicking, judgement and handling were excellent. Then there was the crowd who turned out in numbers and created a good, positive, atmosphere. It’s great at Croft Park when the fans get behind us.”
Blyth hope to have Matty Wade back for the Ilkeston or Hyde game. The midfielder has a long tern hip injury. However Maguire will miss the next three games due to suspension but Wade was pleased to see his possible replacement up front, Wilson Kneeshaw, come through the Easter Monday game despite having been suffering from tonsillitis over the past two weeks.