Reaction to the Matlock game

Sunday morning found manager Tom Wade excavating his garden to install a pond. He must have wondered if his side could likewise have dug deep and ground out a point the previous afternoon.

"Well, in terms of possession and chances we deserved to draw but overall we didn't do enough," he said.

The 2-1 defeat at home to Matlock was the Spartans' first loss of the season.

"We were largely ineffectual in the first half. We looked leg weary and I think the battling which we have put in during our first four games showed," Wade added. "Matlock were strong but not that great. They defended well and we defended badly. Their first goal was down to terrible marking. We had two players near the goal scorer Holland but we switched off. We have to learn from that.

"Their second goal, just after half time, was very poor too. We let them run at us from midfield and paid the price."

Corey Gregory found himself with the room and time to ease the ball, from distance, past Conor Grant in the home goal.

Blyth skipper Joe Kendrick pulled a goal back minutes later and Blyth went on to create chances in the final ten minutes, but to no avail.

Wade commented: "They were hanging on at the end but the result is not the end of the world. This season is a learning curve for us. One or two people were getting a bit over excited about our start to the campaign but now that that is wearing off we must be prepared to knuckle down and graft and then see where we are. I've said it before that it won't be till Christmas that we will truly see what sort of team we are. We need time to gel and there will be ups and downs along the way.

"I'd ask the supporters to keep the faith and stay behind us through the good times and bad times."

Midfielder Matty Wade had to be substituted in the first half due to an eye injury. He had it checked out at hospital after the game.

"It was a rip rather than a cut in the eye-lid," said the Spartans boss. "It's the kind of thing which opens quickly but closes quickly too. He's had it 'super-glued' three times! He's touch and go for Tuesday's game at Frickley.

"Dean Holmes may be in back from injury for that game and we have various options where we can make changes."

Although Wade will be downing his gardening tools to travel to Yorkshire he will be aiming to continue to cultivate his young charges.