The Spartans, who will begin their first ever league campaign in the National Football Conference in April had a lot to learn from their first hit out of the year with key figures within the club quick to respond with pride.
Head Coach Ian Derbyshire was in a positive frame of mind despite the defeat:
"I gave the lads three words to deliver on today - Memories Character and Proud -they delivered on all three of them. They all shown fanstastic character, and myself and the rest of the coaching team are made up."
Billy Forrest, Defensive Captain & Linebacker:
"Everybody really stepped up today! I am a very proud captain and if we can play like that and keep improving then we have something very special here and we will go far and be a major force!"
Offensive Co-Ordinator Ian Beattie had a more reflective analysis:
It was a great display from the D. From the O side we stuck in and all pulled together. Not everything worked, but it never will work all the time. The main thing for me was I did not see anyone's head drop, we now move up a gear which we are all more than capable of."
Defensive Co-Ordinator Simon Grice:
On paper this should have been a walkover but it was very far from that. We've only let in two scores in four games from a Defense that has been together a year. Despite the effort, we have a lot to work on."
Judging by the post scrimmage reaction, Spartan HQ is a very optimistic and happy place, but one that will strive to work hard before the first game of the season away to Crewe Railroaders on 12th April.
