Goals: Wheatley 5, Floor 1, Hunt 1
It was a bitterly cold evening at King’s Park, as the winter monsoon descended. However, we were entertained with some scintillating Spartans football. Flabbo started off with Sanju in goals, Back four of Bertie, Briggs, Andy B and Scottie. In midfield we had Aidan, Tom, Mehdi and Jens, with Nick and Danny up front. From the onset Spartans played some lovely football peppering the University defense. We should have had at least four goals in the opening 5 mins, with forwards and midfield all getting into the act. Jens had two headers brilliantly saved by the University keeper. Danny found himself clear in the box on numerous occasions, but could not find the target. Nick was running their defense ragged and was unlucky not to give us the lead with some excellent attacking play.
The midfield were completely running the show. Tom and Aidan spreading the play to the flanks for Mehdi and Jens to attack their full backs. Mehdi came close when he was put through by Scottie, but his effort was wide. Finally, the breakthrough came and Nick was on hand to pouch the ball and slot past the University keeper who was finally beaten. As the half drew to a close the unthinkable happened. In a rare University attack their striker wriggled free of our defense an powered a low strike past Sanju. HT:1-1.
The half time talk was “more of the same please”, but try and score some goals!!! Well the team obliged with both and within a 5 minute period Nick had run a mockery of the University defense and we were all of a sudden 4-1 up. It was now a case of how many we would score as we constantly harassed the University back line. Flabbo gave the guys on the bench a chance and Rick Man and Richie replaced Aidan and Mehdi. Danny and Jens got the goals they deserved for all their efforts as we extended the lead to 6-1. We were still squandering some chances to really embarrass University further, but nethertheless this was a joy to watch. Paul and Leandro came on for the last 15 mins. Nick then tore the University defense to shreds, as he just skipped past defenders as though they weren’t even there. His clinical finish made it 7-1.
It was a pleasure to stand in the cold and watch this performance. If we had been more clinical in the first half, as we were in the second then this scoreline would have easily gone into double figures. We actually created more chances in the first half, which just goes to show how fortunate University were. Everyone played great football on the night. The back four were excellent when called upon. They linked up well with the midfield and created overlaps when the chance arose. The midfield completely marshaled the game and provided numerous chances for Danny and Nick up front. Mehdi was getting back to full fitness with another good performance on his recovery from injury. My MOM decision was very hard this week, with Jens and Tom having an excellent game, but they were pipped by Nick who terrorized the University defense and scoring 5 goals great goals. Well done to everyone.
Next week is the early game at Sandy Bay. Please try and make this and maintain the momentum from this game. Paul and I will be in Manila for the Vets tournament, but Lionel and Mehdi will run the team.
