Sick Ref' Halts Spangels

Spangels BNESL Division Three fixture against Royal United was postponed late on Saturday following news that their match official had been taken ill.

This unfortunate event will frustrate manager Pritchard, following last Sunday's excellent 6-2 win against Boars Sports Reserves, as Spangels looked to continue their good form of late against the bottom club.

Spangels next fixture is against similarly mid-table Engine Room, whom they recently beat 5-1 in the divisional cup.

BNESL Division Three Table

The first league table produced by the BNESL (a little late) shows promise for Spangels, as they currently lie 4th in Division Three.

............................P..W..D..L..F..A..Pts
1.Panfield Bell Rovers...8..8..0..0..44.14..24
2.Chelmer Village Ath'...7..6..0..1.33..14..18
3.Orange Tree...........9..5..0..4.19..23..15
4.SPANGELS..............7..4..0.3..13..18..12
5.Engine Room...........7..3..1..3.22..23..10
6.AFC Foxco..............8..3..0..5.27..28...9
7.Hogs FC.................6..2..1..3.20..19...7
8.Boars Sports Res'......4..0..0..4..7..18...0
9.Royal United............8..0..0..8..4..32...0

December Fixtures

Spangels continue their fixtures into December (weather permitting!) with two league matches and another attempt to play Headhunters in their postponed Charlie Turnbull Trophy match.

27th November - League - Royal United (A)
4th December - League - Engine Room (H)
11th December - League - Hogs FC (A)
18th December - Charlie Turnbull Trophy R1 - Headhunters (H)*

* = fixture to be played at John Ray Street Recreation Ground.

Spangels FC 2005/2006 

Spangels 6 Boars Sports Reserves 2

BNESL Division Three

Awesome. Sometimes an inappropriately used word, but today it is apt and it describes Spangels' performance against Boars Sports Reserves.

And the heros of the hour were just as unlikely as the scoreline prior to kick-off.

Spangels had been on the end of two heavy defeats to the same side earlier in the season, but put all this behind them as they ripped apart their opposition.

Attacking from the off, a break-through was made after just ten minutes, with a Boars' defender heading a Winsborough cross passed his own 'keeper. What followed this only a few minutes later was the stuff of legend and will be remembered over many a happy pint.

Spangels centre-back and Captain Matt Theobald has not scored since the 1996/97 season and if my memory is correct, this was a sliced cross. But what he did today he meant and that makes the goal even more special.

Intercepting the ball inside his own half, Theobald won a further challenge before crossing the half-way line. With his team mates encouraging him to move forward he strode another few yards before looking up and launching a 40 yard lob which nestled in the top right-hand corner of the net. The celebrations that followed have been seldom seen, as all the Spangels players rose as one and mobbed their Captain.

With Whiteman causing havoc and Williams linking up with him well, further goals looked inevitable.

Williams picked up his first of the game following a Whiteman cross and followed this goal up with a delightfully weighted chip, after a well taken quick free-kick by Ramsay.

Ramsay scored his own from a well struck free-kick on the edge of the box, after Whiteman was fouled.

Spangels sixth on a normal day would have been the talk of the match, but Theobald's heroics earlier had won that accolade. However, keen sub' Jason Hart was in the right place at the right time to side-foot Spangels 6-0 up after a Whiteman cross.

The only downside was the two late goals conceded due to concentration lapses, but the three points were always heading to the home side.

Team : Seymour, Lynch, Ramsay (1), Theobald (C) (1), Tivey (Hagan), Lowe (Collis), Sayer, Pritchard, Winsborough (Hart (1)), Whiteman, Williams (2).

Spangels MOM : Richard Winsborough.

Three Points Awarded To Spangels

The BNESL League Management Committee have awarded Spangels the points from their league tie against Boars Sports Reserves on Sunday 16th October, a game which they had lost 7-2! It was found that Boars Sports Reserves fielded an ineligible player.

The decision (which awards the 3 points to Spangels, with a 0-0 scoreline) moves the club to 9 points from 6 games in Division Three.

Council Drop Ball In Pitch Debacle

Spangels Charlie Turnbull Trophy Round One game against Division Two Headhunters will have to be re-scheduled following problems with the changing facilities at The King George V playing fields.

It appears that Braintree District Council have failed to keep up to date payment to the owners of the Mark's Farm Village Centre who run and maintain the changing rooms at the Cressing Road site. With both teams and the referee present prior to kick-off, a notice was posted confirming closure of the facility meaning no access to nets, corner flags or showers.

It was agreed in the circumstances to play a friendly, which gave Pritchard the opportunity to use all 15 players available.

Spangels now have to ensure this problem is resolved, with a home league tie against Boars Sports Reserves on Sunday 20th.

Can Spangels Achieve Further Cup Success?

Spangels have another opportunity for progression in a cup competition on Sunday, when they entertain Division Two Headhunters in Round One of the Charlie Turnbull Trophy.

Many of the players will remember the 5-2 pre-season friendly defeat in August and will hope they can produce a better defensive performance in this tie. Manager Pritchard will be hoping some recent absentees will return to strengthen the squad.

Lowe is still doubtful with a thigh strain and Wilson appears unlikely to recover from his groin strain. However, Winsborough and Hagan should be available.

Engine Room 1 Spangels 5

BNESL Division Three Cup Quarter-Final

Spangels moved into the semi-finals of the Division Three league cup today following a comfortable 5-1 win over The Engine Room. They are now 90 minutes away from "a nice day out" and will hope the draw is kind to them for the next round.

With several players unavailable due to a combination of things, the squad was stretched. Lowe, Wilson and Underdown missed out through injury, with Hagan, Williams and Winsborough away.

Pritchard was still able to drop himself to the bench, allowing Tivey and Theobald to remain at the heart of defence. Sayer moved into midfield, with Ramsay at left-back.

The game got under way well for Spangels, with a three-nil lead quickly established. First Todd pounced after great set-up play by Whiteman, who followed up with a 15 yard strike only minutes later. Todd got his second of the game from a long Seymour kick, delicately chipping the ball passed Mitchell in the Engine Room goal.

Spangels opponents managed to pull one back on the half-hour, but offered little in the offensive third during the ninety minutes.

In the second half Spangels maintained control, scoring a further two through another stunning Whiteman effort from an acute angle and a Livermore side-foot.

So, relatively easy passage to the semi's, with Halstead calling...

Team : Seymour, Lynch, Ramsay, Theobald (C), Tivey (Pritchard), Sayer, Rivett, Livermore (1) (Hart), Collis, Whiteman (2), Todd (2).

Spangels MOM : Daniel Sayer.