A Feather in the Cap Woolwich Spartans 4-1 Plume of Feathers Amor x2 A Roberts Black Its fair to say October and the early part of November has not been kind to Spartans as they have stumbled from one defeat to the next, hence of course my reluctance to correspond with you. But thankfully the forecast for today was miserable and muddy with a smattering of goals. Although rather inconveniently some goals were not chalked up due to lethargic finishing and a hair trigger lino, who appeared to have his arm set like a Bear Grylls trap. Anyway back to the proceedings. It was fair to say that a few Spartans players were worse for wear (Ill include myself in that), but the competitive and physical nature of the opening salvos, quickly helped them warm to the task. Still if we think of worse for wear, perhaps the Plume of Feathers keeper is a reminder of what really being worse for wear looks like. Spartans began to impose themselves on the game from the off, a trait that has not been their friend very often this season. The midfield pairing of DCruze and Carrano were quick to offer some width to proceedings, moving the ball swiftly from the congested midfield. With two pacy forwards and an extra dashing of speed out wide, it was clear where the threat would come from for Spartans, especially considering the two centre halves for PoF looked like some gargantuan behemoth from a Tolkien novel, with all the wit and speed of some of them too. And sure enough Amor and Roberts up top looked to cause problems with their pace, although it seemed every time the killer pass was played they strayed just a little offside. However, fear not for the break through did come courtesy of Amor, about bloody time he scored this season, it would have been embarrassing if Brushett was ahead of him in the scoring charts come the Christmas break. After a long throw was cleared to the edge of the box, Sherrington was able to prod the ball goalwards through a crowd of players; just for a change, Amor showed great composure to control, swivel and bury a low finish into the corner. And on the theme of Amor hitting it into the corner, shortly afterwards he sent a vicious swerving strike from 25 yards, whistling towards the corner... flag, promptly hitting said flag before trundling off for a throw in, just to balance things up. The goal should have led to more, but for some reason the intensity dropped, allowing PoF a foothold in the game. There were still the occasional opportunities offered up for Spartans, with Amor drawing a fine save from the pudding in goal and Black very nearly closing in on an under hit back pass. But as PoF began to grow in confidence they started to pen Spartans into their own half. With their added physical dimension, PoF prevented Spartans from getting the ball down and playing to their strengths and with a very narrow diamond formation, PoF began to dominate the middle ground through sheer weight of numbers. It was a tough task for Carrano and DCruze to bring the game back to Spartans control, but Spartans defended stoutly, with Thompson and Sandford putting in commendable performances, particularly when considering the height disadvantage that Spartans conceded. This strong defending across the back four, restricted PoF to long range efforts that somehow remained in orbit as they breached through the stratosphere and out into the cold nothingness of the mesosphere (Geography lesson for you there, four layers of the atmosphere: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere and Thermosphere), only offering Roberts in goal the inconvenience of fetching their wayward shots. Still they were bound to get one on target eventually and when they did, there was little that Roberts could do to keep it out. After Black and Thompson combined to block the initial effort, Sherrington came agonisingly close to blocking the follow up shot, which for once was low, accurate and powerful, nestling into the Spartans net in what was to be the last action of the first half. The half time break provided a good chance for Spartans to reflect and reinvigorate their performance. There was a definite emphasis on the change of approach that was needed, if they were to wrest control of the game back in their favour. It appeared as the second half got under way, that this had had the desired effect, as Spartans raced out of the blocks and immediately began to outflank their more immobile opponents. They very nearly went ahead when Keys dragged a low shot a foot wide of the post from the edge of the box, but they would not have to wait much longer to regain the lead and once more Amor would be the scorer. Spartans won a free kick after Keys was savagely assaulted on the left hand side by the PoF right back, who aside from his inability to slide tackle was actually quite a decent bloke. Sandford stepped up to whip a dangerous ball in that Amor managed to get a toe on to guide it past the stranded keeper. Suddenly at 2-1, Spartans began to express themselves more with the ball. DCruze and Carrano linked effortlessly with their wide men who were always offered willing support by Brushett and Sherrington rushing on from full back. Spartans did not have to wait too long for number 3 to arrive as again a pacy direct attack through the wide channels saw them profit from sluggish defending. Carrano was able to release Amor on the inside right and amazingly for once the flag remained down as Amor sent a precise ball across the box to give Roberts a simple tap in that moves him back atop the Spartans goal scoring lists with his sixth of the season. PoV looked shell shocked at this point and they began to fall apart, with gaps opening up all over the place allowing Amor and Roberts the freedom of Charlton Park. Roberts had perhaps the best chance when he surged on to a Thompson clearance but could only send a tame effort straight at the keeper, in Roberts defence though it was a big obstacle to avoid. Amor also made a hash of an effort in similar circumstances. The fourth goal that was required to wrap up the points did come and it was Black who would add his name to score sheet with the perfect example of his tireless running and energy and support play. Having been crudely cut in half just five minutes earlier, Black was due to be substituted, but with one last surge of energy he was able to follow up after Amor saw an attempted lob turned aside, and displaying a cool head Black finished low at the near post with a drilled effort that left the defender on the line with little chance to keep it out. Understandably with just twenty minutes left at this point, Spartans began to take their foot off the gas and offered up a couple of chances that were not taken by PoW. One came after a length of the field counter attack, that saw the lumbering lurch of a centre half head over from six yards under intense pressure from Brushett and the other a loopy effort that drifted across and just beyond the reach of the on rushing forward. Roberts did have to be alert as he rushed off his line to slide at the feet of an attacker and clear. But aside from that there were no major dramas or concerns as Spartans played out the closing stages in a professional way. To summarise that game is really to speak of the relief that the three points were taken. But that they were taken with a certain element of swagger and by adapting a tactical approach in how to outsmart their opponents; Spartans could be proud of a job well done. As for man of the match, well somebody did say me at the final whistle, so on that bombshell... I will give it to Amor, for finally popping his cherry, although honourable mentions for Black and Sherrington and also for Carrano who it was nice to see play a full 90.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 14:39:52 +0000
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