Interview | Heslop reacts to York City defeat

BY Niall Bromley

Simon Heslop believes Blyth Spartans played well in patches during the defeat to York City but admits it is not good enough.

Blyth lost 3-0 to the Minstermen at Croft Park on Wednesday night in National League North - their first game in 17 days.

City opened the scoring after 10 minutes through Michael Woods but the home side squandered a number of chances to level before half-time.

One chance in particular stood out when Paul Blackett found Connor Thomson unmarked from six yards out, but the forward's hesitation allowed former Spartan Pete Jameson to save.

Speaking to blythspartans.com after playing against the club he lifted the FA Trophy with in 2017, Heslop said: "I think we've done OK at times in the game but we said the same thing last game as well.

"Ultimately, we've come away with another 3-0 defeat.

"I think in the first-half, we created York some problems and if we get that equaliser, again we said this last match, then it could have been a different game.

"But we need to stop saying that now and convert our chances and be more ruthless at defending.

"I don't want to just keep saying we've done alright at times in the game but got beat 3-0 again because that can't keep happening. We need to change that."

The Blyth captain added: "He (the gaffer) was understandably angry and frustrated with us and him playing perhaps hurts him even more.

"But there's not a lot we can do about it now, it's gone. We need to prepare for Saturday and get three points.

"The only thing we can do is dust ourselves down and go again.

"We haven't got too much time to reflect on the defeat, which is maybe a good thing.

"We've got a tough game on Saturday away at Kettering. They're around us in the league so it is going to be a battle, a one we need to come out on top in."