Tom talks - after Rushall Olympic

Much of this season has been about looking forwards for Spartans manager Tom Wade. With a young squad in place most of the talk has focused on moving forwards and building for the future. However, in summing up the impressive and not to mention dramatic win over Rushall Olympic Wade looked to the more recent past feeling that it was a game that Spartans sides of the past would have lost.

"We would have folded last year, there's nothing against the players from last season but we didn't have time to work on certain things with them. This season we have a great set of lads, we have a great bench and we were superb. It's a game we deserved to win, we were the better side and could have won by more"

There has been quite a turnover of players at Croft Park and the latest addition to Wade's squad came up trumps in the win over the Pics. Midfielder Paul Robinson scored a late wonder goal to seal the win for Spartans and his manager was quick to pay tribute to the former Whitley Bay man.

"It was a great goal and Robbo had a great game overall even before the winner. He started really well and we have to remember that's his first full ninety for a long time. He was sharp and he has come in and done really well for us. He's just top drawer"

There were some nervy moments for everyone at the club and Wade admitted his side almost paid the price for being overly adventurous. With a two goal lead in the bag they went in search of a third to kill off the game and that resulted in the visitors pulling back the two goal deficit. However Wade was relieved to see his side come through in the end and felt they earned the three points.

"To be honest we took our foot off the pedal and we emptied the midfield too quickly trying to get a killer third goal. That allowed them to have a spell of possession that meant they got on top. It was tough because we needed the win and we deserved it, we had players struggling but we got there in the end"