Vipond looking forward to a challenging week

A 1-1 draw against Nantwich Town began a tough seven days for Blyth Spartans as they prepare to face two top sides in the next week. A trip to AFC Fylde is quickly followed by the visit of FC United of Manchester but midfielder Shaun Vipond feels his side as up to the task. The former Workington and Carlisle United man completed a hard working ninety minutes in the heart of the Spartans midfield and looked ahead to the upcoming fixtures with relish. He said "We have heard good things about Fylde and they are by all accounts a very good side but if we apply ourselves as we can we can give them a good test and hopefully come away with three points. FC United have a great following and will no doubt bring a lot of fans with them so hopefully we can get a lot of our fans down here and create a good atmosphere. We have to go out in both games and give it our all and carry on the run we have going in the league because we have a nice little run going."

Skipper Wayne Buchanan got his first goal of the season in the draw with Nantwich Town and whilst Vipond was happy for his captain he revealed that he had been winding up Buchanan about his modest goalscoring record for the club. Vipond revealed "It's been a while coming for Buchs hasn't it but I am pleased for him today. I've been winding him up in training because he hasn't scored many. To be honest he's played a lovely one-two with his own knee to finish so that was really impressive but no seriously, I am happy for him."

A point was seen as a fair result by many at Croft Park and Vipond was keen to praise the Dabbers, believing they had put his side through through a tough test. "They're a good outfit and knocked the ball around really well. They are definitely a well drilled side and have a lot of little lads who have some really impressive movement. It was great to get ninety minutes under my belt but it was definitely hard work because they kept the ball really well although I think a point is a good result."