Player Season in Focus: Matthew Wade

In a new regular feature every Friday throughout the close season we will look at the individual performances of members of the Spartans squad during the 2013/14 season. Players stats, notable acheivements and a comprehensive review of their performance can be found. First up is midfielder Matthew Wade

It's been a solid debut season at Croft Park for midfielder Matthew Wade. After joining Spartans from Northern League Second Division side Washington FC last summer the Blyth born midfielder has become a key figure in the club's season of progression with some key goals and the fourth highest amount of assists in the squad.

After making his full debut in the opening day draw at Marine Wade scored his first goal for Spartans on his ninth appearance and it came in a competition that the club has become synonymous with over the years. Despite exiting the FA Cup in the first qualifying round there was some joy for Wade as he volleyed home the first goal of the game in the 1-3 Croft Park defeat at the hands of AFC Fylde in mid-September.

He didn't have long to wait for his first league goal when just three days later he headed home the winner in a smash and grab win for Spartans over play off rivals Ashton United. Indeed United are a favourite opposition of Wade's as he scored in the away fixture too! In total the twenty one year old has scored six goals from midfield but maybe his biggest impact has been in providing rather than scoring goals.

Wade stands fourth in the list of Spartans assist makers this season, his total of eight only bettered by Dan Maguire, Arran Wearmouth and Robbie Dale. Maguire is the main beneficiary of Matthew's assists with five goals, probably the most memorable one being a deft flick from the midfielder that gave Maguire his second goal of his maiden Spartans hat-trick against Stafford Rangers.

Wade's form has resulted in an England 'C' representative call up for the game with a Northern League XI.

The rundown of Matthew's season is as follows:

Appearances:

42 starts, 4 substitute appearances

Debut:

Marine (a) Evo-Stik NPL

Goals:

6

First goal:

AFC Fylde(h) FA Cup

How goals were scored:

2 headers, 1 left foot, 3 right foot

Where were they scored:

1 outside the area, 5 inside the area

Goals per game ratio:

1 in every 7.67 games

Assists:

8

Main beneificiary of assists:

Daniel Maguire - 5

Assists per game ratio:

1 in every 5.75 games

Favourite opposition:

Ashton United - One goal in both home and away fixtures