| Report | The first, and perhaps only,
excitment of the day came when Spartak in the first game of 2004 managed to get a
squad of 15 together. The starting eleven was picked which left a strong bench of
Pete, Doc, Dave W and Neil so competition for places was strong. The game started
with expectations high against a Crew side which were bottom of the 1st Division.
Unfortunately Spartak started slowly and conceeded 2 scrappy goals in the first 20
minutes and could have been more if Paul who, diving low to his right, pulled of a
save which most thought was in. Spartak did rally a little and when a cross came
over from the left Dave F headed it back across goal to find Chris who out jumped
both defender and keeper to score and make it 2-1 at half-time.
This gave Spartak some much needed enthusiasm for the second half
after a low key first half performance. And Spartak did come out with a bit more
fight and it wasn't that long before, after some sustained pressure Bren whipped in
a corner which Pete, lurking at the back post, volleyed in to equalise. This however
seemed to stop the Spartak fight and it wasn't long before an error of judgement
from Paul and a poor clearance by Owen led to a goal for Alex Crew. They scored
again to make it 4-2 and there seemed no way back for Spartak. This was before
Withers, on as a sub, went on a mazy stumble into the box and was pushed in the
back, Was it in the box? Was it a foul at all? Penalty!! Much to Alexandra Crew's
displeasure the decision was made and the Penalty was smashed home by Dave F. This
left 10 minutes for Spartak to try and rescue a point which didn't come.
An average performance and a disapointing result but the fact that
Spartak stayed in contention the whole game is perhaps tribute to the way they are
now playing in a game that 12 months ago could have turned into a
thrashing. |
League