Goals: Jeff, Mehdi,

An excellent start to the season on a hot and muggy afternoon. Spartans arrive at the pitch a good 40 mins before kickoff to the sight of KCC already well into their warm up routine. With a few late arrivals the preparations are far from ideal. Paul calls the lineup with H in goals, defense of Mike, Ben, Bertie and Darren. Midfield starts with Mehdi, Aidan, Rick Man and Joe and Jeff up front supported by Gabriel.

The game starts in a typical Division One pace. It’s obvious KCC are up for this and have some excellent talent on show. With 5 in midfield we manage to stifle most KCC attacks and start to get into the match. Rick Man and Aidan start to control the midfield and the defense is able to handle the limited attacks from KCC.

Midway through the first half Ben pulls up with a calf strain and is replaced by one of H’s Aussie buddies Jim. Jim slots into the centre back position with Bertie. Chance are few and far between, but we do get a free kick in an excellent position. Bertie drives it with power, it dips at the last moment and clips the crossbar with the keeper struggling.

Then in a few minutes of madness we go behind. Darren scythes down their speedy right winger and is lucky to escape with only a yellow card. In the resulting passage of play we go one down. A KCC corner is unfortunately headed in my Mike. Having played brilliantly for 30 mins we lose our way somewhat and the final 10 mins is scrappy. We are unlucky to get back on level terms when Bertie meets Jeffs corner only to head into the ground and see it bounce agonizingly over the crossbar. HT. 0-1.

KCC makes three changes at half time. We continue with the same team that finished the first half. The games resumes in similar fashion with our defense handling a very quick KCC front line. After 10 mins we start to ring the changes. Cowley on for Gabriel and Stef on for Darren. Cowley goes to the right and Mehdi pushes up to support Jeff. Midway through the half the breakthrough comes. Stef’s quick thinking and throw finds Jeff who stabs home the equalizer. Now both team are going for the win. H makes an excellent save to thwart KCC when it looked as though their attacker was offside. Rick Man has run his socks off in midfield and is replaced by another one of H’s visiting buddies Theo. With 15 mins to go the breakthrough comes. Jeff does brilliantly to hold up the ball, he releases Mehdi who calmly slots the ball past the oncoming KCC keeper. The play is being stretched now, but we are looking the fitter side and are countering the KCC attacks with ease. H is awesome in goals makes a string of brilliant saves from KCC corners. Lionel comes on for Joe for the last 5 minutes. We see out the game for a brilliant win. FT 2-1.

This is an excellent result with everybody playing a significant part. We never gave up and battled well against a very good KCC team fielding 4 YYL Select players. It is difficult to choose a MOM, since everyone played their part. However for his energy and control of the midfield

MOM: Aidan.