PROGRESS is the thing when the Spartans meet the Seahorses tonight.

Evo-Stik Premier outfit Blyth play host to Ebac Northern League side Whitley Bay in the Northumberland Senior Cup.

Later in the month, West Allotment Celtic take on North Shields, Morpeth Town host Ashington and Newcastle United reserves travel to Bedlington Terriers.

However, this evening, all eyes will be on Croft Park. And caretaker manager Paddy Atkinson hopes all feet will be through the turnstiles.

He said: “It’s a big game for Blyth and we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s a little bit of a distraction for us from the league, which to be honest is of more importance to us.

“However, we’re in decent enough form and we picked up a good point at Grantham on Saturday, although we were a bit disappointed we didn’t win the game.

“So the lads’ confidence is high and hopefully it’ll be a good game.

“Everybody knows what Whitley Bay have achieved over the last few years in the FA Vase.

“They have excellent players and they will give us a very big test.

“It’ll be a bit of a cup final for them, they’ll want to come here and prove a point.

“So we’ll have to be on our guard and we won’t be taking Whitley Bay lightly.”

Atkinson added: “The important thing for us is we continue to make progress.

“We’ve been moving in the right direction over the last month or so and we have to keep that going.

“Consistency is what we’re aiming for and this is another opportunity for us to work on that.

“Hopefully, Whitley will bring a few along and our fans will turn out in force and get behind us.

“I appreciate there has been a recession, that people are tightening their belts.

“This, though, should be a cracking occasion and a good crowd can only help that.

“We want people to come along and enjoy an entertaining game – I’m sure it will be.”

Robinson agrees, saying: “We’re looking forward to it.

“We’re in great form so we’re going into the game with confidence.

“Blyth will be tough but we want to progress and we believe we can.”