Sparticans Control Local Derby with OKs
By Simon Fitch
Sparticans 4 – 1 Old Kingstonians M2
Scorers: Iffland (3), Grant, K (1)
After the excitement of last week’s club derby, we made the short journey to Thames Ditton on Saturday to take on our first external opponents in our new league. The unusual heat made for a stark contrast to last week’s monsoon and tested us in different ways during a game that we won comfortably, and should have done by more goals.
We started strongly and had chances from the off. Ravvers stepped into Mr Bell’s shoes with aplomb, after impressing in our summer league game, but we failed to turn early pressure into chances and the OKs had a couple of good chances of their own. Playing some good hockey, our defensive unit stood firm and eventually we scored our opener with Stiffland finishing from a couple of yards.
At half time, we talked about more of the same and being more clinical. This translated to a comical first couple of minutes as we had two gilt edged chances that somehow missed the target, with one earning Kev the Moment of The Match. We did then score a second with Kev making up for the earlier malfunction and finishing off a corner. Unfortunately we then had a wobbly patch and Save It’s only touch of the ball during the game was sadly to pick the ball out of the net as OKs got a goal back.
We regrouped and with some excellent play throughout the side eventually scored another from our trademark short corner (first time it had worked for a long time). Still we had more chances, with the OKs keeper, defence and our attackers all managing to keep the score down. Shortly before the end, Stiffland rifled home a hat trick goal, rightfully earning him SoTD and preluding his James Bond night out nicely.
As usual the best was still to come post-game. Sadly OKs were unable to offer changing or teas as we know them, so we decamped back to SHC for the Mexican feast and the Marquee of Dreams. After voting and other deliberations were complete, most of us took in the Spartican alumni beating OCs on the show pitch before wending our way home. Once again, a great day out and another three points in the bag.