Hat-trick means little for “gutted” Hubbard

If Spartans midfielder Craig Hubbard felt that the last two weeks had been a rollercoaster following the birth of his son Oscar then he experienced something similar during the defeat at Skelmersdale United today. Despite becoming the first Spartan to score a league hat-trick since Paul Brayson at Vauxhall Motors in March 2010 Hubbard ended up on the losing side and was quick to admit his frustration at how his side had surrendered what would have been a hard earned point at the West Lancashire College Stadium.

"We are gutted to sum it up in one word. It's nice to get three goals but they mean nothing to me when you get beat in that manner. Attacking wise we look good, we look dangerous going forward but we do need to tighten up and learn how to hold on to leads"

With their first trip to Skelmersdale out of the way Spartans face a home double header over the coming seven days. Ilkeston make the trip to Northumberland on Tuesday night in a re-run of Tom Wade's first game in permanent charge of Spartans before a return fixture with Skem next Saturday in the FA Trophy. Being as frank and honest as ever Hubbard admitted that there is added pressure on his side to perform in front of the Green Army but wants his side to use the Croft Park faithful's backing to their advantage.

"I suppose there is added pressure at home but these lads want to play for the supporters and we want to please them everytime we play at Croft Park. I relish playing in front of them and I enjoy it, when they get behind us it's like having an extra man on the pitch and we need to use that"

Despite only being in his second season at the club Hubbard finds himself as one of the senior figures in the Spartans dressing room. The former West Auckland man is keen to ensure that nobody in the side is getting carried away with their impressive start to the season and assured Spartans supporters that whatever they age of anyone in green and white they know what is expected of them.

"There are a lot of young lads here, we won't let them get above themselves though. Tom is right when he says we have over-achieved a bit and we need to remind ourselves there has only been a short part of the season done now. The prediction table at the start of the season had us at fifth bottom so we are surpassing other's expectations but we just have to keep battling away and the supporters need to know we will do that"