SPARTANS GET ONE MOOR CHANCE
SPARTANS 3 - 3 MOORS
A drizzly Saturday morning could not dampen the Spartans spirits as they set the pitch alight on many occasions with some excellent passing moves. The 4-3-1 formation allowed the lads to express themselves In midfield this morning and we controlled that game for large parts.
FLAVIN & SHABYTAH were causing havoc in their wing back positions and this was what gave us the advantage throughout the first 15. Neat passing out from the defence was a joy to watch with another solid pairing at CB of BARNETT & LEE. It wasn't all 'old school' defending however as some of the intricate play was stunning and really shows how far we have come. This backline was the foundation for all of our attacking play and it was no surprise when SHABYTAH opened the scoring after a great move. DAITZ added a second for the Spartans as they looked to make light work of a Morris side that have only lost 3 games in 2 years!
The second quarter saw the addition of KEYTE & REYNOLDS who also slotted into the wing back position withe ease and added a real quality to our play also, REYNOLDS work rate and KEYTE'S new found physical strength toughened up the Spartans where we needed to be solid.
As the game went on it was all Spartans, the rare Moors attack was dealt with in midfield by the formidable force of MAY, BASSETT and DAITZ. MAY adds a real class with his trickery, eye for a pass and flicks whilst BASSETT can dictate the play as he pulls the strings in the heart of the team.
HALF TIME
The second half saw more changes as BALSTON, KASZUBA and WILLS were added. All 3 were excellent throughout however WILLS was a class above today and although will be remembered for his last gasp leveller, I will remmebr the calmness in possession and great link up play with BASSETT in particular.
The game however was about to be turned on its head as the Spartans did seem be be in the giving mood, we allowed 3 long range shots to happen that gave a helpless HOLLAND no chance 3-2. HOLLAND was solid today and all the goals were in no way his fault, his distribution was excellent and one particular time he played out from the floor to start a great passing attack.
The final quarter was a chance for a change of shape to 3-3-2 which did give us more attacking threat as the tired legs appeared. We could've very easily resorted to long ball and hoped for the best but the lads stuck to the game plan and believed in the football they can clearly play. 1 attack was the best move I have seen us creat on a 9 a side pitch (feel like I say this every week) but it started from LEEand BARNETT who rather than booting it away, played with a calmness that allowed us to move into midfield where MAY, DAITZ and BASSETT played through to DAVIE who couldn't quite get it to WILLS to finish.
Now I do give a certain Mr DAVIE a tough time but it's easy to forget the level that he plays at week in week out. His physical presence, skill, hold up play and lethal shot are easy to take for granted as we have seen it so many times before.
DAVIE offers so much to this team and at times, yes he could pass earlier but the 'good' far outweighs the 'need to improve on' and for that reason is today's star man.
The game now coming to and end and it was the stuff dreams are made of for dubatant WILLS to slot home the well deserved equaliser.
Not that anyone is keeping track but YES we did win on Pens!
Well done to all the boys today
STAR MAN
HARRY DAVIE - Effective is an understatemtn as he bullies defenders, applies light touches and skill when required along with the ability to score on demand. An all round class player that will continue to win us games.
Special mention to HARLEY WILLS, As far as debuts go that was up there with the best, excellent all round display and another great addition to the team
Thanks all for braving the wet and cold and I did find myself a little more animated than normal today which the other Mr Davie will no doubt make me embarrassed about with photo evidence.
Goals
SHABYTAH ? DAITZ ? WILLS ?
