Goals: Jens, Matt, Joe and Stef

Perfect footballing conditions at noon in King’s Park. After two tough games it was nice to get back to winning ways.

We started off with a very strong team, which considering many folks were away, was a bonus. Sanju started in goal, with Tom, Scottie and Thomie forming a back 3. We had a midfield diamond of Stef, Henry, Jens and Lionel, with Matt and Joe on the flanks. Nick was the out and out striker. We started off brightly, with the extra man in midfield being the difference. White Youth were holding firm for 10 minutes, but we were awarded a penalty, when Jens jinked his way into the box and was tripped. Jens took responsibility and slotted the ball home. At this stage we were all over White Youth and more goals would surely come….and they did. Jens again was at the heart of most attacks.

This time he got free of his marker on the left and drilled a bullet that the White Youth keeper could only parry into the path of Matt, who headed in from a yard (never easy those one’s). We soon went 3-0 up. Again some nice interchanges on the left and Joe slotted in off the post. Spartans were cruising at this stage and were desperate for more goals. However, on a rare break from White Youth, their striker got a yard ahead of the back line and drilled a shot that beat Sanju on his near post. This was a bitter pill to swallow, but we soon got back into our stride and pressured the White Youth defense. With only minutes remaining in the half, we got free kick about 30 yards out left of central. Stef stood over it and then fired a beautiful curler that beat the keeper and struck the top corner of the goal. Cracking effort which restored our three goal margin. HT: 4-1.

I was expecting a bit of a goal fest in the second half, but White Youth (after making some substitutions) were a much tougher proposition. Mid way through the half were rewarded for their efforts and Scottie could only deflect a cross into his net. White Youth were certainly buoyed by this and pressed the Spartans goal. Flabbo and Simon Fung (Spartans stalwart back for Xmas hols) came on the last 15 minutes. Spartans held out firm and saw out the 4-2 win.

It was great to get back to winning ways. A very strong overall team performance. The back three were excellent. Sanju made a couple of great saves to keep us in the game. The midfield were tireless in their efforts and Nick and Lionel ran the line extremely well causing the White Youth back four constant problems. The MOM decision was a close one. Joe and Matt played great on the flanks and contributed with goals. Stef played great in the holding midfield role and topped of his performance with a wonderful freekick. Jens ran himself to the ground throughout and played some stunning football in the first half and was close to my MOM. However, my MOM is Henry. He held the midfield together and provided significant distribution. Well done to all.

We have now played half of the season games and lie in fourth place in Division Two. If we can keep a regular and fit squad for the remainder of the season, then I really believe we can push again for promotion. Let’s stay focused and put in a big effort in 2012.