Patience required for young Spartans says Cassidy

Reflecting on his side's 1-1 draw with FA Vase winners Dunston UTS, Spartans manager Tommy Cassidy asked for patience to be shown towards the younger members of his squad. The former Northern Ireland midfielder said "This club is having to start again, we lost so many players last season and have brought a lot of young lads in. They're doing ok and they're improving but they need time. These young lads need time and we need to show them patience. I think the route we are going down with these young lads will work but we need to show them time and patience".

Cassidy did praise the returning Joe Kendrick who scored the late penalty that gave Spartans a draw. "Joe is an important player and an experienced player. He is great in the dressing room with the young lads and we have others like him. We maybe need two more like him but he can be a key player".

Whilst looking at how his new players were settling in Cassidy understands there is a need for more new blood at Croft Park and is working to make that happen. He said "I would like to bring in two players with more experience, we have a lot of young lads there and they can be naive when it comes to the final ball and that showed tonight."

Cassidy will oversee the final pre-season fixture of his side's pre-season when Team Northumbria visit Croft Park this coming Saturday.