Fingers Crossed For Season Opener

Spangels opening game of the 2005/2006 season sees manager Ian Pritchard having a relatively strong squad to choose from. Only Wilson (Holiday), Ramsay (Ankle) and long-term absentee Williams (Back) are unavailable, although there will be a late fitness test for club captain Matt Theobald ahead of Sunday's away game against Panfield Bell Rovers. Part-time squad member Taylor is also troubled by a knee injury.

Pritchard will be pleased his strikers are all available following the blank drawn against Rayne in the most recent friendly. No further injuries and good news in respect of Theobald will leave the team in a strong position.

Squad; Seymour, Lynch, Sayer, Theobald (C), Pritchard, Lowe, Tivey, Collis, Whiteman, Underdown, Winsborough, Hart, Hagan.

Busy Start For Spangels

Following some re-arrangements by the BNESL, Spangels now have a busy start to their 2005/2006 campaign, with all but one fixture at home;

4th September - League - Panfield Bell Rovers (A)
11th September - League - AFC Foxco (H)
18th September - League - Royal United (H)
25th September - League - Chelmer Village Athletic (H)*
2nd October - ECFA Sunday Jnr Trophy R1 - Boars Sports Reserves (H)

* = Fixture to be played at John Ray Street Recreation Ground

Rayne 6 Spangels 0

Spangels went down to a heavy defeat yesterday at the hands of Division One Rayne in their final friendly, prior to the start of competitive matches on 4th September.

With Whiteman, Winsborough and Hagan at the "V" concert & Collis pretending to be a soldier, it was to be the attacking side of the team that would struggle against last seasons Division Two Runners-Up.

The weakened Spangels team defended well in the first half and were slightly unlucky to go in two-nil down at half-time. But a tired second half display saw four goals leaked.

Spangels only real effort of the game came late on, when a Ramsay free-kick brought a save from the Rayne 'keeper.

Team; Seymour, Lynch, Ramsay, Pritchard, Theobald (C), Lowe, Tivey, Wilson, Underdown, Sayer, Jenkins.

Ramsay Injured In Sunday Friendly

The influential left back who recently made his return to his former club has suffered a disappointing set back. After an incident in a pre season friendly against Headhunters on Sunday where a goal scoring opportunity was halted by a well timed defensive
tackle, the athletic figured, well tanned footballing dynamo has been laid up with ligament damage to his ankle. The club physio reports that whilst alot of the potential swelling has been reduced due to post match treatment, Ramsay will be doubtful for the final friendly before the
league kicks off. A spokesman for the club said, "Whilst its a shame that Ramsay will be doubtful this week we are confident he will be fit and well for the coming season". The club will be keeping a close eye on his injury and wish him a speedy recovery.

Spangels Draw Boars Sports In Tough Trophy Opener

The draw for the first round of the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy has been made, giving Spangels a tough home tie against fellow BNESL Division Three member Boars Sports Reserves, who will visit the King George V Playing Fields on October 2nd.

The winners will play either Queens Park Stansted or Abbey Rangers away on October 30th.

Spangels 2 Headhunters 5

The opposition changed (again!) as well as the scoreline on Sunday, as Spangels went down 5-2 to Division Two Headhunters.

Following some panic on Friday night, new opponents were hastily arranged for Sundays game, with Shalford unable to field a team. With the return of several players it was important that a competitive match could be played and the Spangels management were grateful Headhunters obliged (in turning up, if not in the score!).

With a couple of the Headhunters team still in the changing room at kick-off, Spangels tore into their opponents and quickly established a two-nil lead. First, Tivey received the ball in the centre of the pitch from Ramsay and pumped it forward for Collis to chase. The outrushing Headhunters goalkeeper slipped and allowed Tivey's pass to head passed him towards the line, but Collis made sure tapping home from a couple of yards.

Then, good build up play saw Hagan just inside the box beat two defenders before finishing well.

Whiteman was unlucky several times not to increase Spangels lead further as Ramsay, Pritchard, Collis and Hagan all put him through.

Unfortunately, this was as good as it got for Spangels, as Headhunters (now with the full compliment of players) put four in to the Spangels net before half-time, with the speedy Paul Wicks giving the Spangels defence a torrid time.

The second half saw periods of scrappy play and a few more missed chances at both ends, with Headhunters adding a fortunate fifth midway through the half.

A defeat, then, but a good workout for all and some positives to draw from the game.

Team (rolling subs); Seymour, Sayer, Ramsay, Pritchard, Theobald (C), Lowe, Tivey, Wilson, Collis (1), Whiteman, Hagan (1), Taylor, Lynch, Winsborough, Underdown.

New Opponents For Spangels!

Sunday's friendly brings new opponents for the Spangels squad, with Casuals unable to gather enough numbers, CFC Shalford Reserves have jumped at the chance to provide opposition.

Many players will be disappointed that the "grudge" match against Casuals will not now be taking place, but at the end of the day it's games that count during pre-season.

The change in opponents will not change Spangels attitude to the match, as they look to build on their fine win last weekend.

Barnston The Venue For Casuals Friendly

Spangels are pleased to annouce that Barnston FC, of the Essex Olympian League, have kindly allowed their facilities to be used for Sundays friendly against Casuals FC (kick-off 10.30am).

This means all Spangels pre-season games will be played on grass, avoiding the dreaded astro-turf. The game on Sunday 21st away to Rayne will be played on their usual grass home pitch.

The Spangels squad for Sundays game is expected to swell following the 5-1 win over AFC Foxco, with the addition of absentees midfielder Richard Winsborough, right-back Chris Lynch and flymow Jon Tivey. Only Mark Taylor is likely to be unavailable.

AFC Foxco 1 - Spangels 5

Spangels ran out 5-1 winners over AFC Foxco today, in a pleasing display which saw the 11-man squad take full advantage of their superior possession.

Although they were only 1-0 up at half-time, Spangels had created opportunities to score, with Whiteman missing several guilt-edged chances. The single goal in the half was converted by Taylor after a Lowe 30 yard free-kick proved too hot for the Foxco 'keeper to handle.

The second half saw an even more dominant Spangels add to their tally. First, Whiteman rekindled memorys of old with delightful trickery, a sharp turn and cool finish. This was quickly followed by number three as Whiteman tapped home from a couple of yards following a Ramsay cross-shot. Whiteman completed his hat-trick shortly after (although a goal just minutes earlier was strangely disallowed for off-side), with strike partner Hagan adding a fifth in the last ten minutes, having worked himself into a shooting position.

The only blot on the copy-book was poor marking from a corner (with the score at 4-0) which allowed Foxco to take something from the game.

However, this was a promising performance and left those who took part in no doubt that Spangels will be competitive this season.

Team; Seymour, Sayer, Ramsay, Pritchard, Theobald (C), Lowe, Taylor (1), Wilson, Collis, Whiteman (3), Hagan (1).

Right-Back Lynch Ruled Out

Ahead of Sunday's friendly, news has broken that Spangels right-back Chris Lynch will be "unable to attend" the game, leaving the door firmly open for another squad member to stake a claim for this position.

This is disappointing news, considering Lynch's standing within the club.

However, it's not all bad news, as the aquisition of a new player moves ever closer...

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Taylor In For Foxco Friendly

Spangels FC were pleased to hear that former Casuals FC colleague Mark Taylor will be available for the teams opening friendly on Sunday, significantly bolstering the squad for this match. Taylor's boundless energy will enable the Spangels management to rotate the squad in an effort to boost match fitness, whilst not asking too much at this early stage of pre-season preparations.

Season Opener Is Out In The Sticks!

Spangels FC's opening fixture in Division Three of the BNESL is away to Panfield Bell Rovers, meaning a trip out to the wilds of Essex. The first home game of the season occurs the following week with the visit of AFC Foxco, who are being played in a friendly this Sunday. A week off, before another home fixture, this time against Chelmer Village Athletic rounds off the first month of the 2005/2006 season...

4th September - League - Panfield Bell Rovers (A)
11th September - League - AFC Foxco (H)
18th September - no fixture
25th September - League - Chelmer Village Athletic (H)