Match reaction after the Chorley game - Tommy talks

A sleepless night for a disappointed Tommy Cassidy was followed by a more comfortable morning following the Spartans 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Chorley.

"With us one goal up at half time I said to the players that we must concentrate, not concede, and that if we played to our potential we could win the game. We needed five or six of our players to give everything to hold on but we didn't deliver," said Cassidy.

"We needed to roll up our sleeves but when Chorley equalised that spoilt it for us. I haven't been so disappointed after a game since I came to Blyth. We actually started alright but fell away and were poor in the second half.

"Their first goal was down to poor concentration by us. Their second was a good strike but we have to learn to defend better. The third killed us off. Most of the players admitted that we weren't good enough. We fell apart and I take responsibility because I pick the team but the players must take responsibility for their own performances too."

The Blyth boss, however, was not all doom and gloom.

"We are only a handful of points behind the League leaders and are the top scorers in the division. It's still September so there is a long way in the season to go yet. I still say that we can beat anyone when we are ay our best. But we need to get our act together."

Cassidy was outraged that a foul on forward Craig Farrell, with him bursting through on goal, did not result in a sending off in the first half.
"Craig was through on goal with a clear goal scoring opportunity but the ref only showed a yellow card! However there's no point in going on about it - it happened. We went on to lose but it's not the end of the world. I understand the supporters' frustrations but they must know that I'm frustrated too. But we all need to take stock and move on."

Cassidy revealed that Ashley Davis, who turned the game around for Spartans at Matlock on Saturday, injured himself in Tuesday's pre-match warm up restricting him to a place on the bench.

Blyth face Workington in the FA Cup on Saturday and the Cumbrians' manager Darren Edmondson was in the crowd at Croft Park for the Chorley game.
"I hope him seeing our performance the other night works in our favour," commented Cassidy.
"It will be hard on Saturday and we will have to play better. I just wish we could play them before the weekend to get the Chorley match out of our system."

Cassidy is hoping for a peaceful relaxed night on Saturday coming, unlike last weekend. A large dose of fighting Spartans FA Cup spirit would certainly help.