Tom talks - after the North Shields game

The Spartans beat North Shields 2-0 away on Wednesday evening. Goals from Daniel Maguire after 2 minutes and a second with 15 minutes remaining from Matty Wade secured the victory.

Manager Tom Wade said: "It took us time to get used to the pitch - the grass was quite long, but once we did we dominated most of the game after the break. We were going to give more players a full 90 minutes but some tired and we changed plan although it did give us the opportunity to look at some of the players again.

"Shields scored a hat full of goals last season and we have conceded a few in previous friendlies so our aim was to keep a clean sheet, which we did. I thought Peter Jeffries in goal kept us in the game in the first half."

Blyth travel to take on Celtic Nation this Saturday.

Wade commented: "Paul Robinson and Robbie Dale missed the Shields match due to injury but I hope to have them both back for the weekend. After Saturday we should be in a position where we know the preferred 16-man squad for the season."