Standards are set for Dale

After more than playing his part in a win over his former club Whitley Bay, Spartans winger Robbie Dale urged his team mates to continue to improve as they head towards the opening day of the league season. Dale, who scored one and made one of his side's three goals was delighted with the performance at Hillheads but wants to see those performances "week in week out" throughout the new season.

"If we play like that most weeks we will have a good season, we have to maintain that standard week in week out. We know the league and there are teams in the division who keep the ball well under pressure and we have to learn to do that so we have to do more of what we have done today. We've set a standard and have to maintain that."

Reflecting on the impressive performance over the Seahorses Dale felt that it was the best performance he has seen since his return from Hillheads just over fifteen months ago. However he did feel that three goals were the minimum Spartans deserved after such a dominant display.

"I think that's the best we have played since I have been back at the club, we were brilliant. Especially at the back, the back four and the two keepers we used were excellent. Obviously we took our chances when they came along but to be honest I think we deserved more and should have had more."

With many of Tom Wade's now being given their chance in pre-season Dale pinpointed the performance of two of them during the win. Defender Dan Parker made his Spartans debut after signing from Bishop Auckland this week and managed to help his side keep a well earned clean sheet, whilst striker Rob Nolan made his first Spartans start and sealed the win with a clever finish from the edge of the box. Dale revealed just how impressed he was with the duo's performance.

"As I said the lads at the back were excellent today. Dan Parker has been out for a month with his shoulder injury and it was his first appearance today but he was outstanding. Rob Nolan up front as well ran his socks off for the team and got the goal he deserved."