Tom talks - after the Matlock game

Manager Tom Wade was not too downhearted after the 4-2 FA Trophy defeat at Matlock on Saturday.

"I'm not happy about the result but the performance was ok," he said. "It was a typical Cup tie with both sides going for it. A League game wouldn't have been as open as that. We should have won comfortably but it just didn't happen for us.

"The game was played in horrendous conditions but we produced some great stuff in what was an exciting game for fans of both sides to watch."

Wade commented further: "We took Stephen Turnbull off as a tactical move. He's a quality player but it wasn't working for him as the centre of the pitch was a bit of a quagmire."

The Blyth boss hopes that captain Robbie Dale, who missed the Matlock game, will be fit for Saturday's game at Marine. Dale will be assessed at training on Tuesday night.