Stocksbridge game - reaction

Blyth boss Tommy Cassidy, although clearly delighted by picking up all three points at Stocksbridge Park Steels on Tuesday night, was left pondering on how his side can avoid paying the penalty.

The penalty, that is, of potentially losing games through giving away easy goals and avoidable penalty kicks.

"We have got to be more professional in how we defend. Although it didn't happen at Stocksbridge, giving away as many penalties as we have done this season will cost us games, "he said.
"My dream is to go 2-0 up and keep it that way!"

Cassidy saw his side improve as the game wore on.

"In the first half we didn't play well but after the break we passed the ball much better and played some good football. Stocksbridge were much better, playing several different players, to how they were in the game at Croft Park which we won 5-0. I wasn't too surprised that we came back from 2-1 down. We always looked like scoring even though when we missed four chances in five minutes I thought - oh dear, here we go again!

"Mind you I wasn't happy that we had given goals away - again, but we showed a lot of character to come back."

Commenting on the return to the side of midfielder Neal Hooks Cassidy said: "It was Neal's first game back so, bearing that in mind plus the fact that he needs more fitness and time to get to know some of the other players, I thought he did well.

"We will have Phil Airey back for the weekend and possibly Jordan Mellish too should his consultant be happy with Jordan's nose injury. I'm also busy trying to bring in another couple of players to the club."