Child’s play for skipper as Spartans restore some Faith

It's been a good two weeks for Spartans skipper Wayne Buchanan both at home and professionally. His wife Laura gave birth to their new baby daughter Faith over the festive period and Buchanan has seen his side improve culminating in the 2-1 win against Matlock Town today, a win that saw Buchanan get the opening goal in front of his family. After heading Spartans in front Buchanan headed for the Port of Blyth stand where they were sitting and performed the rocking baby celebration to dedicate the goal to the new arrival. He said "I think it's my first headed goal for the club I think and it was a great moment. Obviously I've got my daughter Faith was here for the first time today and I've done a celebration for her which was a nice moment for all the family. I hope she doesn't think she will always see me score though, they don't tend to come around very often."

As any good leader does though Buchanan was happy to push aside personal achievements and focus on a team performance that saw Spartans get their first win since mid November. Buchanan's goal coupled with an own goal from Gladiators defender James Lukic ensured that Spartans gained a reward for a true team effort and Buchanan was quick to praise his team mates for a job well done. He said "It's a great win and we needed that after the last few weeks. We have been playing well but have conceded too many goals and results have gone against us but we have battled it out today and everyone of us has played our part and shown what great spirit we are building here".

He continued "We have been asking for exactly what we got today. When we haven't got the ball everyone has to be a defender and you definitely did see that today from everyone in the side."

Spartans will hope the win over the Gladiators will provide a springboard to better things as they prepare to embark on another cup campaign with the Doodson Sports Cup tie against Stocksbridge Park Steels next on the agenda on Tuesday night. Buchanan insisted that was a competition his side could do well in following the win over Town. The former Bolton Wanderers and Gateshead man said "We have teams who are in and around us in the league and we know there are no easy games in this league but we have to look to take points from them. Obviously on Tuesday we have the cup game against Stocksbridge and with the confidence from today we can go into that on a bit of a high. We know the league is the most important thing it would be nice for us all to do well".