Match winner Richardson delighted with “difficult” win

Spartans midfielder Michael Richardson came off the bench and netted his side's winner in the win and Rushall Olympic and admitted post-match that it had been a difficult win. The former Newcastle United man headed home from close range as he met a Robbie Dale cross with twenty minutes remaining on the clock for his third goal in the green and white of Spartans and felt that his side were more than worthy of the three points.

"It's a good result to come down here and get the win. It's been a long journey and it wasn't ever going to be easy but we got there in the end. The pitch wasn't the best and it made it difficult to get the ball down and play the way we do, we played at the right times, in the right areas and deserved the win"

The win over the Pics made it seven games unbeaten in all competitions for Spartans and they now face a three home fixtures in seven days as they look to kick their play-off push up a gear. That all starts on Tuesday night when Ramsbottom United are the visitors to Croft Park and Richardson wants to make the most of the home comforts available over the coming week.

"With the home games we have and the squad altogether and available we can really kick on. We know our home crowd are right behind us and that's really important for the players. We just need to kick on, carry on the run and see where we end up"

Spartans supporters travelled from near and far to be at Dales Lane yesterday to witness the hard-fought win and gave Tom Wade's side fantastic vocal support. Richardson hailed the performance off the park by the Green Army, describing them as "perfect" and was pleased that they were able to enjoy their day out.

"The fans were perfect today. They always are but today when it got to the last ten minutes, although we weren't exactly holding on, it did motivate the lads and we just want to keep doing things better for them so they enjoy their day out, we did that today so everyone goes home happy"