Rhys Evans calls for Blyth Spartans to 'stand up and be counted' against AFC Telford

Blyth Spartans full-back Rhys Evans has insisted that Tuesday night’s 4-0 defeat at Guiseley was not a true reflection of his side.
Blyth Spartans right-back Rhys Evans. (Photo credit: Kris Hodgetts)Blyth Spartans right-back Rhys Evans. (Photo credit: Kris Hodgetts)
Blyth Spartans right-back Rhys Evans. (Photo credit: Kris Hodgetts)

It was a bad night all-round for Evans and his team-mates as they conceded a penalty inside the first minute and had defender Matthew Elsdon sent-off in the early-stages of the second-half at Nethermoor.

The hosts made the most of their numerical advantage as they eased to all three points against Michael Nelson’s side – but ahead of Saturday’s home game against AFC Telford United, Evans revealed that the Spartans squad are confident that they can improve throughout the season.

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He said: “We are a new squad; we need time to gel and learn how each other play – but we are confident that we can do well.

“Every pre-season game we got better, and we need to take that attitude into the season too.

“Obviously, it was a quiet dressing room after Tuesday night, but we can’t get too down after we lose, and we can’t get too high after we win.

“There has to be a balance.

“It’s a hard league, we have to understand that, but we are confident that we can compete and do well.”

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Spartans get their home campaign underway when Telford visit Croft Park as their new-look side look to replicate last season’s 3-1 home win against the Bucks.

After a hectic summer of transfer business, Evans and young team-mate Olly Scott will be the only players in Michael Nelson’s squad that featured in that win.

And the former Newcastle Benfield full-back has called on his side to “stand up and be counted” as they look to get off the mark for the season.

“Telford had a good win earlier in the week, and they will fancy their chances coming up here and getting a win against us too,” he explained.

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“We have to stand up and be counted, we have to show what we can do, we have to be confident and have a go.

“We beat them last season up here, now we have to show that we can do it again.”

With the Covid-19 pandemic and current regulations still forbidding supporters to attend the game, Spartans are providing a live stream and full-match commentary of the fixture.

Price details and information on gaining access can be found here.