We bossed it - Wade

Spartans manager Tom Wade revealed that he had challenged his players midweek to stand up to Whitley Bay after the Seahorses suffered a defeat at Croft Park last Saturday and was impressed with how Spartans "bossed the game". Goals from Lee Mason, Robbie Dale and Rob Nolan sealed the win at Hillheads but Wade was delighted with the way his side played the game rather than the result.

"The win isn't important, it's the way we played that pleased me most. Me and Colin(Myers) had a chat during the week about the reaction we might see from Whitley Bay after last week and obviously we have a lot of young lads in the dressing room. We said this would prove where we are as a team coming to their ground but we have absolutely bossed the game."

Many of Wade and Myers new additions have been younger players looking to make their name at Croft Park and the Spartans manager revealed that he was pleased with the way the more experienced members of the squad had eased the settling in process. With just under a month to the season the Spartans managerial team are close to finalising their squad and Wade feels that the blend in the squad is "superb".

"The midfield three were excellent but we were just outstanding all over the park. Parker has come in to a young defence and he was superb, I was really impressed with him. The young lads are settling in really well and the senior lads are enjoying playing the father figure role to these lads. Overall the blend is superb and we do know it'll be hard when the season starts but these are all good points for us."

A hectic pre-season on and off the pitch for Wade and before he takes his side to Marine on the opening day of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League season Spartans will face five more friendlies starting with Gateshead at Croft Park on Wednesday. Wade does feel that the pre-season campaign will give his side "ideal preparation" for when the competitive action starts.

"We have some momentum and unfortunately we do have some lads missing for Wednesday. We are looking at Gateshead a chance to keep the fitness up and the style of football going. After that we have Clitheroe, Morpeth, Newcastle Benfield and Darlington so we have some great games coming up to get us ready for the new season, it's ideal preparation."