‘This is our home pitch and this is our fortress’ Paul Van-Zandvliet speaks after Spartans narrow victory over Silsden.
Blyth Spartans midfielder Paul Van-Zandvliet spoke to the club’s media team expressing his satisfaction with the response from last weekends defeat to Newton Aycliffe as the green and white army dispatched Silsden AFC 1-0 at Croft Park.
“They were a really really important three points today we needed to bounce back from Newton Aycliffe because the performance and the result was shocking really, we haven’t been accustomed to that lately because we have been really good but it was nice to bounce back today.”
@jlmedia4yt Paul Van talks through his wondergoal against Silsden, previews Blyth Town on Easter Monday and the pride of playing in green and white at Croft Park. #fyp #nonleague #HowayBlyth #NPL #blythspartansafc @Blyth Spartans AFC
Spartans made it six unbeaten at Croft Park with the victory, Van-Zandvliet talked about the importance of making the ground a ‘fortress’ and the backing from the 830 spectators last Saturday.
“We talk about making this place a fortress and that’s what it has to be here this place needs to be a fortress when people come here they need to know they’re in for a game and they’re not going to enjoy the game thats being played because this is our home pitch and this is our fortress.
“Keep getting behind us we massively appreciate it, I’ve said this a few times now and we all know I could say it a million times but they are our twelfth man, when they get behind us it gives not just me but all the lads a huge lift and hopefully we can keep getting them through the door and keep that coming because we need it.”
The midfield general has flourished under new management Marc Nash and Anthony Woodhouse, his winner on Saturday was his fifth this season it may not have been the prettiest but it was one that was much needed in the context of the game.
“Some might say I was imitating Peter Crouch, basically the ball has come to me and I have seen the centre half coming so I’ve done a little scoop turn to beat the defender I’ve basically beat myself because I’m falling over as the balls going.
I see Nathan Kidd making a run in and I’m thinking Van give him the ball, I’ve toe poked it to him his first touch has bounced off the centre half I’m flat on my backside and I’m like I need to get up I need to get up, I’ve somehow managed to get up I’m falling into the ball and I put it away but ill take them though.”
@jlmedia4yt Paul Van-Zandvliet’s winning goal against Silsden on Easter Saturday which sent Spartans six points clear of the relegation zone. #npl #nonleaguefootball #HowayBlyth #fyp @Blyth Spartans AFC
Spartans have back to back home matches to look forward to as they welcome Garforth Town and Bridlington Town to Northumberland before the curtain comes down on what has been a quite remarkable season when they travel to Bishop Auckland in the final week of April.
