Mason feeling ready for new season

Spartans winger Lee Mason put in an impressive performance in the 4-1 win over Clitheroe and revealed it was "great" to get ninety minute on the pitch as he prepares for the new season. The former Hartlepool United man suffered a disjointed start to last season suffering a hamstring injury in pre-season that affected the early part of his campaign but seems to be hitting form and most importantly fitness at just the right time.

"First half I dont think the performance was what we are capable of doing but second half we came out and showed what we can do. It was a comfortable win in the end. It was great to get ninety minutes under my belt, I think I needed it and it's another step on the way to being ready for the new season."

It was striker Rob Nolan who took the plaudits post match for his brace in the win over the Lancashire outfit and Mason was quick to add to the praise the former North Shields front man was receiving. However Mason revealed that there was more to Nolan's game than just being a finisher.

"As you can see Rob is a finisher, he gets the ball and puts it in the back of the net. That's his job and he is doing it very well for us but he's also a hard worker up top which is great for the team."

Spartans suffered a disjointed season last time out suffering injuries and suspensions that weakened them at key points of the season. However management team Tom Wade and Colin Myers have put together an extensive recruitment campaign during the summer and Mason feels that the club will only benefit from having a bigger squad.

"We have a big squad and last season whilst we had players missing every week, this year we have the biggest squad I've known here so we have lads who can come in and do a job and put in a claim to be in the team week in week out."