Hubbard impressed with young additions

After his side's defeat at North Shields in their opening pre-season fixture Spartans midfielder Craig Hubbard revealed how impressed he had been with the performance of a number of the club's new recruits. So far in the close season there has been a youthful flavour to the new recruits with Rob Nolan, Matthew Wade, Ryan Cummings and Dean Holmes all under the age of 22 and Hubbard enjoyed their performances but warned them there is still hard work to be done.

"I've been quite impressed with the younger lads who have come in. Matthew Wade and Ryan Cummings in the middle of the park did really well. It's always difficult for them coming into a new club and sometimes the communication takes time to get going but that will improve over pre-season but there's definite potential in the side."

In baking hot heat at the Daren Persson Stadium Spartans were edged out in a game that struggled to get out of second gear despite there being seven goals. Hubbard indicated that he feels pre-season is more about preparation for the new season and that his side shouldn't get to down about the scoreline.

"To be honest results aside it's all about your own performance and fitness ahead of the opening day of the season. Losing today isn't the end of the world and it's just a start point for fitness. Obviously it is disappointing to lose any game of football but we just have to keep building."