Spartans register reinforcements

Blyth Spartans caretaker manager Paddy Atkinson added to his options on Tuesday after registering midfielder Jack Stanger and keeper Craig Pickering with his Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division squad.

Stanger, 18, is a central midfielder who's been playing for Consett for the last couple of seasons. Pickering, 24, has been with Bedlington Terriers and featured against the Spartans this summer during the Scott Bell Benefit Game.

Atkinson said: "We’re pleased to bring the two lads in. We’ve watched Jack and had him watched and he looks a good player. He’s obviously only young but signing him gives us a better chance to have a look at him close hand and we’ll see how he does with the lads in training.

"I’ve known Craig for a while and he’s a good keeper with an excellent kick. Matty Hunter is struggling a bit at the minute with his back so we don’t want to get caught out should Conor [Grant] be unavailable."