A wet and windy Rushey Fields today, saw Sparta take on the ever improving Leicester Bharat F.C. With a few players out we made the most of our big squad today with 2 lads coming off the bench to make there debut.
The game kicked off and we started slow, which has unfortunately becoming a familiar sight this season. Bharat started with a pacy front 3 causing problems as well as us struggling to deal with the long balls over the top. Eventually the opposition found the right winger in space, he wasn’t closed down and took a lovely shot from distance which flew into the top corner 1-0.
As the gal progressed we found ourselves getting into the game. Good work rate from Tom and Iccy up tops as well as Leighton down the left hand side offering a constant outlet as well as being solid defensively throughout the 45. After a moment of madness our shape went, the opposition cruised through the middle playing a ball to the striker who waded through our centre half’s and smashing the ball home. 2-0 Bharat.
We continued to get at the opposition after the goal, a few chances came and passed us by. All football started to go through the middle of midfield making the game tight and intense. After a nasty collision of heads centre half Baker had to make way for Dawid. Hudak dropped back in tho defence, an Dawid came into the midfield 3. We seen the half out taking a bit more control, Leighton and Rubis we’re both up and down the wings with Dawid giving us the extra pace and power through the middle. Half time 2-0
The 2nd half kicked off an straight away the opposition came at us, an intense high press followed by a few close chances for Bharat. Sparta settles and started to take control. Rubis and Leight at wing backs started to gain yards by using Kris an Jano through the middle as well as Tom an Iccy causing the Bharat defence into a few mistakes. After a few close chances we finally got 1, some lovely football through midfield which fell to Kris who played a perfectly timed lofted ball into the path of Rubis down the right hand side who stroked the ball home. 2-1.
A change was made which seen the ever solid Hudak make way striker Matty who came on to make his debut for the Spartans. We went 4 at the back with Rubis and Leight dropping back to support Jan an Gregson. Kris and Jano sat just infront doing there usual job brilliantly. Dawid and Iccy played just behind the front line looking to use there pace to attack the channels. With Matty coming in to join Tom up tops. We continued to build momentum with Kris, Jano, Leight and Rubis all finding space to progress up the pitch offering constant support as the game moved on. After a great passage of play between Iccy, Leight an Matty down the left, Iccy whipped in a peach of cross which found none other than Gregson hovering around the edge of the Bharat area, he hit a sweet shot which flew into the back of the net. 2-2
Another 10 minute spell of Sparta pressure came. Goalkeeper Jordan started to use the most of the wide pitch finding Iccy and Dawid as well as Matty through the middle. Kris Leight and Rubis continued to support the attack. Eventually, a lovely bit of play through the middle found Matty who slipped a quick pass through the gap to Kris arriving late. Kris quickly flicked a great ball through to Tom who finished calmly under pressure to put the Spartans ahead for the first time in the game. 3-2.
Aiden came on for Jano in the middle of midfield to shore things up. Followed by Brad coming on for Tom upfront. We continued to dominate towards the end of the game, Jan and Gregson keeping things calm at the back every time the ball was in our half, using Rubis and Leight our wide who were still giving it everything to get up and down till the very end. With the leadership of both Kris and Aiden in midfield the game was won. Bharat couldn’t play past them, the couldn’t stop them playing and finding the 4 lads in front of them. It was unfortunate we didn’t score more. Iccy was dropping off and looking to find Matty and Brad in the space. Dawid was looking to drive at the oppositions defence every chance he had and was unlucky with a rocket of an effort from distance. Matty made a great start to life causing all sorts of problems for the Bharat back line, an Brad continues to show his ability as he gets fitter every week. Unfortunately in the final minutes centre half Gregson went down with an injury and had to be replaced by another Debutant Jacek. Full time.
