5/5/12 Spartans 4 v Woodhouse Colts 2
With parts of the Brinkley pitch looking so wet that Shrek had put in a planning application, it was with some relief that the game went ahead. The Tans didn’t start very brightly and appeared to be a yard of the pace. The visitors deservedly took the lead following some casual defending on the right hand side and a well placed shot that beat Liam low to his right. The visitors were certainly up for the fight today with the opportunity to claim bragging rights over one of their former players to much to resist. As this enthusiasm went unchecked and eventually boiled over, the referee, who was excellent today, produced more cards then Hallmark at Xmas. The four yellows and a red that the visitors collected undoubtedly cost them dear today as they came at key points in the game and disrupted their rhythm. The Tans rather fortuitously drew level just before half time when a good corner from Harry was met by Nick and only pushed into the roof of the net by the Colts ‘keeper. In the second half the Tans look much more composed and took the lead when Brad produced a long range daisy cutter that squeezed under the ‘keeper to send the Tans ahead for the first time in the game. The Tans third came when James latched onto a pass from Harry and crossed from the bye-line where it was met perfectly by Charlie to finish with aplomb. The Tans also hit the post with a fine left foot drive from Brad and a header by James from a corner came back off the bar. JP almost added the fourth following some great skill but for a rush of blood saw his delicate chip narrowly miss the electricity pylon. The visitors added their second as the Tans backed off and a well struck effort flew into the top corner. The game was eventually sealed when JP’s pin point pass into the box went to James who produced a superb turn and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
This was a good performance against a battling side. Man of the match contenders included Charlie, Brad, JP, James and Jonesy. It was awarded to Nick who showed a passionate performance in the back line.
Team: Rouse (Capt.), Payton, Jones, Ford, Eatough (1. MOM), Stafford, King (1), Wand (1), Pearce-McDonald (1), Pritchett, Stanley, Warner, Napier, Solomon.