Player Season in Focus: Robbie Dale

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. Next up is the skipper, Robbie Dale

Winger Robbie Dale has long been a fan favourite amongst the Green Army and put in another impressive season to further enhance his reputation with the Croft Park faithful.

In a season where the winger was awarded the Spartans captaincy for the first time he plundered thirteen goals and provided his team mates with eighteen assists.

His first goal of the season came against Worksop Town in the thrilling 3-3 draw at Croft Park, a free kick that sneaked in at the far post getting Spartans back on level terms at 1-1 after going behind early on.

The Tigers were to be Dale's favourite opponents of the season as he also scored in the away game too. In fact, he got a brace in Spartans 3-2 defeat, both stunning individual efforts.

A noteworthy effort came in the 1-0 win at Frickley Athletic in September as Dale marked his 350th appearance for the club with a late winner. Not just any old winner but a remarkable solo effort to put the seal of a solid team performance in Yorkshire.

When it comes to assists Dan Maguire has been the main beneficiary of Dale's creativity. Spartans top scorer put the finishing touches to six goals supplied by the winger. The pair were both rewarded for their form as they were named in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Team of the Year.

Of course we can't leave out another of Dale's outstanding achievements this year, although it is a rather unusual one. In total he has spent eighty minutes between the sticks as an emergency goalkeeper for Spartans and is yet to concede a goal.

After Conor Grant was sent off at Grantham Town, Dale took the keeper shirt for the second half and was largely untroubled. Then in the final game of the season at Stamford Grant suffered a dislocated shoulder and Dale gave an assured performance to deny keep the hosts at bay for the thirty five minutes he spent in goal.

The rundown of Robbie's season is as follows:

Appearances:50 starts, 2 substitute appearances

Season Debut: Marine (a) Evo-Stik NPL

Goals: 13

First goal: Worksop Town (h) Evo-Stik NPL

How goals were scored: 1 headers, 2 left foot, 10 right foot

Where were they scored: 5 outside the area, 8 inside the area

Goals per game ratio: 1 in every 4 games

Assists: 18

Main beneficiary of assists: Daniel Maguire - 6

Assists per game ratio: 1 in every 2.9 games

Favourite opposition of the season: Worksop Town - 3 goals (One at home, two away)