Bay win pleases Robbo

Spartans midfielder Paul Robinson described himself as "pleased" after the friendly win over his former club Whitley Bay but admitted it had taken his side time to get going. A Robbie Dale goal midway through the first half gave Spartans the win and Robinson felt it should have been a more comfortable win than the one goal margin.

"It was good today. We started the game slowly but once we got going I think we were on top and really should have won more comfortably in the end but we have to be pleased"

The midfielder had a frustrating time last season and found himself getting ninety minutes, something he feels he can only benefit from as he prepares for his first full season at Croft Park. Robinson also played in two different roles in midfield during the game as a deep lying position and then in the "number ten" role during the second half but the former Bay man insists he is happy to have any role as long as he is playing.

"I don't mind playing either role to be honest. The deep lying role alongside Hooksy is ideal because he loves getting on the ball and you see plenty of it. Further forward in the hole I can join in with the striker and try to make things happen. Any player wants to play so I was just happy to get some game time in"

The win over the Seahorses saw Spartans kick off a competitive pre-season campaign and with the likes of Scottish sides Cowdenbeath, St Mirren and Stranraer on the horizon Robinson challenged his team mates to make the most of the schedule.

"There are a lot of tough games. The last thing you want in pre-season is just to go and beat team by seven or eight. That's when complacency sets in so we are pleased with the fixtures we have and we have to make the most of them"