Biggest game of my life - Maguire

Just days before Conference side Altrincham make the journey to Croft Park for an FA Cup First Round tie Blyth Spartans striker Dan Maguire admitted the game was the biggest of his fledgling career. The youngster has three cup goals to his name this season and feels that the game against the Robins "can't come quick enough"

"It's probably the biggest game I have played in so far. Obviously there was the Senior Cup Final at St James Park and the England C game but this is massive. It's a special competition and Sunday can't come quick enough"

It has been an almost meteoric rise for Maguire. September 2012 saw him sign for Spartans from Northern Alliance side Seaton Deleval. Then manager Tommy Cassidy saw the forward as a squad player but by the end of that season he was a key part of a Spartans side who by then were managed by current boss Tom Wade.

However despite making a step up of four leagues Maguire always believed he could be a success at Croft Park.

"I always had confidence that I could make it at this level. I never once thought that I couldn't make it at Blyth Spartans and knew I would take my chance once I was given it"

For Maguire and his team mates there has been one constant during a cup run that has seen them notch up over 1,200 miles on the road over four away ties. The players have been roared on by the travelling Green Army and the striker felt that the supporters have been a key factor in the successful passage to the First Round.

"The supporters are massive for us and so far in the cup run they have been brilliant. When you see how they were at Skelmersdale, Mickleover and Leek it really gets you going. It's been a tough run but the supporters have really helped us. We believe we can win and hopefully get through the tie, it's a tough game but it's one we can win"