| Spartak were under stregth for
the cross division game away at Darley: without the spine of the team with Dave 'I
got five' Fricker away and Bowman and Withers training in London (not for football).
The remainder managed to eventually all find the pitch, all had kit, and one ball
between them, planning to play with the Studs'.
As it happens
Spartak didn't really get to play with the ball much with Darley showing their 1st
Division breeding passing the ball around. Pete was plugging the defence with
Knights, Graeme and Owen, but they were still finding gaps. Paul in nets made a
notable stop coming out quickly off his line to take the ball from the oncoming
attackers feet without bringing him down.
Eventually their
superiority told and they managed to score a few scrappy goals finding the gaps in
the defence.
As the conditions again worsened to wind and rain
Spartak struggled to get first to the ball, and string any passes together.
Paul and the defence managed to keep out some cracking corners but
eventually after much strong wing play and fast interchanges Darley got another
before the break.
Bethel then gave a 'motivating' team talk (rant)
to liven Spatak up. Unfortunately Darley were a better team and proceded to pile on
the pressure with further goals coming, one from an excellent corner at the near
post. Paul had made some superb stops in both halves to keep the score down, and the
Spartak attack managed to then score one themselves, this time finishing from the
good approach play. Doc came on for the last 10, but to no avail as Darley scored
another.
Essentially Spartak didn't play well and especially
without some regulars, were not good enough to perform vs Stud in a good natured
game.
Darley Stud quote of the day: "Come on you Jessies, you've
left the Mares in the paddocks". | 
League