Sparticans 3 - 1 Merton 2s (H)

Scorers: Haspel, C (2), Sutton, M

It was another three points for the Sparticans at Sugden Road, in a slightly laboured performance against a spirited Merton team. The team was shorn of a number of regulars – away and injured – but welcomed back James Robert Andrew (singular), James Hamper, stepping up from the Cobras, and had no less than four U18s in the team who added much during and after the game.

We started brightly and deservedly took the lead through an excellent goal by Cormac.  But then we laboured and spurned a number of chances, and somewhat against the run of play Merton equalised. We then scored another when Matt slotted in from an acute angle and turned around at half time one up. 

The second half continued in the same vein, with plenty of pressure and shots but nothing to show for it. Merton came back into it and gave us a number of scares before at the very end Cormac scored another very good goal and we finished two goals up.

We had a great debrief, and were happy to thank Harry who, with Dave, umpired the game very well and illustrated how good officiating can facilitate a good game at this level. 

Moment of The Match was awarded to Matt Anderson for his excellent goal line clearance five minutes from the end to deny Merton a probable draw. Spartican of The Day was hotly contested and votes were cast for a number of players and predominantly our youth policy (Lewis, Kieran, Ollie and Cormac) who added so much to the game.  After some interesting displays of tactical voting, SoTD was awarded to Cormac for his excellent goals, to the disappointment of Ollie who was eyeing up a hat trick of mantelpiece adorning photos for himself. Over 40 years separated the award winners, demonstrating true Spartican spirit on a successful Saturday.