| Report | With hangovers a plenty and
numbers reduced due to the inconsiderate cross fixturing with a small rugby game,
Spartak managed to get 11 players and a ref. Spartak won the toss and changed ends
due to the low autumn sun and, kicking towards the hedge end, started the game
slowly with very little happening at either end for the first 20 minutes (or is it
just I can't remember). However the game changed on 20 when a nothing ball fell to
the feet of a Wellcome player in the box, who had time to read the Sunday
broadsheet, make a cup of tea and drink it, before slotting past Sam in goal.
Spartak hadn't deserved to fall behind and needed to respond quickly and respond
they did.
Three minutes after falling behind a
free kicked deliverd into the box, wasn't dealt with by the Wellcome defence and
Dave swept it in under the goal keeper with a first time shot. Spartak were soon
behind again, this time through no fault of their own. When a corner came over the
ball was cleared but cannoned off a helpless Bren who was adjudged to have handled
it. Penalty! The penalty was less than convincingly bumbled home leaving Sam
thinking he perhaps could have saved it. But again Spartak kept their spirit and
their heads up and soon equalised when Dave went past the left back and pulled the
ball back to John, who had made a well timed run into the box, to slot the ball
home, 2-2.
With half time approaching Andrew was
caught in possession with what appeared to be an illegal challenge and the ball was
shot diagonally past Sam into the opposite corner. Spartak behind for a third time
surely they couldn't come back again, Oh Yes! This time attacking down the left some
good passing between Owen, John and Bren resulted in a cross from Owen which fell
at the feet of Dave who, with a quick turn, shot past the keeper from 6 yards. 3-3
at half time.
At half time the instruction was to
start again and win the second half. Spartak came out strong with the midfield,
especially Steve, working tirelessly to keep and win possession. This paid off when
Andrew, who had stayed up from a corner, was able to run at the defense and picked
out Dave with a well weighted ball who slotted it in past the keeper for his
hatrick. With Spartak ahead for the first time in the game they were determined to
hang on to it but when Dave failed to extend the lead with two good chances created
by Clive then Steve, Wellcome equalised. Was this to be a comeback too far for
Spartak or did they have one last bite of the proverbial cherry left.
The answer was yes and when Graeme won the ball in
midfield he battled through and passsed the ball to Dave who, under pressure managed
to shoot past the advancing keeper. 5-4 to Spartak, could they hang on, well yes but
only just. Wellcome had one last chance when Dave, who was back defending, let his 4
goals go to his head and picked the ball up on the edge of the box, Doh!! The
resulting freekick was curled over the 4 man wall and was going in until Sam,
Gordon Banks styley, leapt across the goal to palm the ball out which was cleared to
safety, What a save!. A brilliant display by all 12 players and all that was left to
do was for Fricker to write the report and give himself man of the match. Well
played everyone! |
League