“We thought the lads were exceptional”

Speaking after the dramatic Emirates FA Cup tie against Blyth Spartans, joint manager Derek Forrest expressed the feelings of all those who witnessed the game when he talked of his pride in the performance of every single member of the side. “It was an absolutely great cup tie, the weather’s probably added a little bit to it. The pitch was really wet and it’s sort of enhanced the cup tie.”

He was quick to praise the Blyth side that new manager Michael Nelson has assembled during the summer. “It was a new Blyth team but a team that looks well drilled, they’re moving the ball quickly and they’re moving it from side to side and looking for gaps and they’ve found them gaps and I would say they’re the best team we’ve played this season, but we’ve done ever so well.

“How well we’ve started, we’ve got ourselves ahead, we’ve made chances, so you’re really pleased you’re ahead but then it’s a penalty and it’s 1-1. They’ve got through the middle and Dan feels he’s got to come off his line. If it is inside the box it’s a good save. He thought he was just around the edge of the box but in those conditions it was hard to tell. He was obviously gutted, especially after just coming back in the side today. It was a big blow to go to ten men but we’ve always felt like we’ve got the right guys and we’ve got so much great determination and character and that’s been proved in the second half when we’ve gone ahead 2-1 and you almost start dreaming! We’re 2-1 up against Blyth in the FA Cup and we get right up to ten minutes to go and I suppose the way the team is, with ten men, and the way the game is you then start to concede a lot of possession. You’re making them play round you but eventually they’ve found the gaps and put us under pressure then it results in penalties. I’m probably a bit disappointed in some of the penalties but the referee’s out there to make those decisions and that’s what he’s done. Three penalties and we lose the game. To turn it round another way we won 2-1 in open play! But it was a great performance, a great cup tie. We thought the lads were exceptional, we’re proud of them and proud of their performances. It had everything that’s a Whitley Bay cup tie, goals, penalties drama and a gritty performance, and the fans seemed to appreciate it at the end, and we appreciate the fans being here. I think we could have well over a thousand in normal circumstances.”

Forrest praised the performance of stand-in keeper Adam Shanks who wore the keeper’s jersey for more than half of the game.  “Shanksy didn’t really have a lot to do but he did everything well. He went the right way and just about got a hand to one of the penalties but couldn’t keep it out. I was confident when they were passing the ball back to him. His kicking was great, he showed great character; he’s a great lad. It shows another strength of the side. It shows their flexibility and adaptability.

“Overall we’re obviously disappointed but it’s been a good run and if we’d had eleven men we’d like to think something different would have happened. The players can take a lot from the game and the response of the crowd.

“Now looking ahead we’ve a run of home league games which we need to turn into points to push us further up the table.”