Blyth boss pulls no punches

Blyth Spartans manager Tommy Cassidy admits his side were found wanting on their Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division debut.

Blyth lost 2-1 at newly promoted Witton Albion on Saturday thanks to a last minute penalty and Cassidy pulled no punches, dismissing the sweltering temperatures as an excuse.

Cassidy said: "In the first half we were ordinary and in the second we were very poor. We showed exactly what we lack as a team – guile, experience and a leader in the middle of the pitch. Our midfield put in some good effort but they need to be more savvy about the game. In the heat we ran out of legs by some niave running."

"It stood out a mile. We need an experienced head who has been around. I talked to over 20 players in the close season but I’m competing with numerous local clubs for the best and at the moment we are struggling to meet players’ wage demands."

Cassidy was furious at going behind on 10 minutes but praised Robbie Dale for his contribution after he notched up a 100 goals for Spartans on Saturday with an equaliser.

"Witton’s opener was just too easy," he said. "Shaun Tuck was allowed to turn inside and run 15 yards before shooting with no-one coming out to close him down. But it was good to see Robbie so lively.

"He was the only threat we had and his delightful looping goal was exactly him. When he does what he’s good at, when he’s on his day, he’s great. However, it needs to be ‘his day’ every match and his consistency needs to be better."

With the game in added time it took a penalty to beat Cassidy’s men and he took some consolation from that at least as looked ahead to their upcoming games, starting with Stocksbridge Park Steels tomorrow night [Tuesday].

"I didn’t quite see the penalty incident," revealed Cassidy. "But we didn’t help ourselves by losing the ball and allowing Witton to get in to the box. But I suppose I must try and take it as a positive that it took a last ditch penalty to beat us.

"Now we need to take the best things from Saturday into Tuesday and our game at Croft Park on Saturday against Hednesford."