Paddy’s thoughts on the AFC Fylde game

Spartans manager Paddy Atkinson has apologised to the fans for Saturday's 5-0 defeat at Croft Park at the hands of AFC Fylde.

"I hold my hands up, and so does the team. That performance was just not good enough. We've let the supporters down and we've let ourselves down," he said.

He added: "The goals we conceded were down to individual errors and our back five were poor. I would have expected more effort and commitment from throughout the team. We can't keep having results like Saturday's but Tom Wade and I are working under difficult circumstances. We are in a recession, and finances are tight and with no sign of improving. It's a stringent regime that we find ourselves in but the Board are working their socks off. We mainly have to rely on the current players but you can't make players better overnight."

Returning to the Fylde game Atkinson commented: "We actually could have scored a couple of goals but their keeper pulled of some fantastic saves. Young Dan McGuire up front for us was the only positive thing from our point of view to come out of the game. He played really well."

Andy Jennings started alongside McGuire but was substituted in the first half. "Andy is great for the flick-ons but I think he his confidence has been knocked in recent weeks, "said Atkinson.

Another forward, Phil Airy was brought in to the fray after half time.

"Phil has been struggling with a hamstring injury but wanted to play up front so we put him on," said the Blyth boss who welcomed centre half Jordan Mellish back to the club.
"Jordan didn't want to leave in the first place, "he said. "Jordan himself said that he felt at home again at Croft Park."

Blyth travel to Kendal on Tuesday and Atkinson says his players are 'itching' for the match.