Goals: Jan, Tarik, Nana

An excellent and deserved victory in a very hot tempered game.

With a few players not showing for the start, the preparations were not ideal and a bit of reshuffling was required. The starting lineup was Henry in goals (in his smart new GK kit), back four of Briggs, Tarik, Bertie and Tony. The midfield started with Lionel and Joe on the wings with Stef and Aidan playing central midfield. Jan partnered Jens up front. Opening exchanges were very scrappy with both teams attempting to get some rhythm. Jens was a constant threat up front and Jan was doing an excellent job supporting and holding up play for the midfield.

Stef was charged with man marking the Mobsters play maker and although not used to playing central midfield he and Aidan did a great job containing him. Chances were few are far between, but Spartans were in the ascendency and the breakthrough came. Stef slotted the ball through to Jens, whose run into the box was abruptly stopped by a clear trip from behind. Jan stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty into the bottom corner. This seemed to spark Mobsters into action and they were soon back on equal terms although controversially. They attacked down the right and although it seemed the ball went out of play, their crossed was unfortunately parried into H’s own net. HT: 1-1.

With Rob eventually showing up from his trek from Sai Kung, Flabbo changed things around, with Rob going in to central Midfield, Stef returning to his favored left back position. Cowley replaced Lionel on the right wing.

We played some better football in the second half and were a constant threat to Mobsters. We soon were back in front when Tarik headed home from a Cowley corner. This was a bitter pill for the Mobsters and their bickering, which started in the first half, was getting more vocal, Aidan taking as much as he was giving!! Mobsters made some changes themselves and their replacement striker was able to get behind our back four to slot home pass Henry to make it 2-2 against the run of play. The game was for the taking for both sides, but with the Mobsters back four tiring, Flabbo brought on Nana for the final 20 mins, replacing Jan whom had run the Mobsters defence ragged. Jens almost put us back in front when an excellent strike came back off the post. However with 10 mins remaining we did get the breakthrough. A huge kick from Henry avoided everyone and the Mobsters defence. Nana and Jens chased down the kick and Nana got to the ball first to head past the Mobsters keeper. Jens could have made it 4-2, but his effort was smothered by the Mobsters keeper. FT: 3-2.

Excellent performance by all. The defence was excellent, thwarting most of Mobsters attacks. The midfield battled well with both the physical and verbal abuse. The front three of Jan, Jan and Nana were excellent. There were 2 clear contenders for MOM. Tarik was excellent with his brother watching from the stands. However, MOM for his persistent running and excellent front play….Jens.