Spangels 1 Panfield Bell Rovers 2

BNESL Division Three

Spangels ran run-away division three leaders Panfield Bell Rovers to the wire in this fixture and were extremely unfortunate not to share the spoils, with a determined display.

After last weeks performance, it was a shame changes had to be made, with Lowe's injury and Tivey's absense forcing Spangels into a new line-up.

Ramsay returned between the sticks after appearances there earlier in the season and Hagan got a chance to start following a good display the previous week. Whiteman returned to the squad as the only substitute.

From the kick-off Spangels took the game to their opponents, playing some nice stuff in the first ten minutes, but Panfield soon came into the game causing problems of their own.

With Spangels struggling to create clear cut chances, it was Panfield who took the lead mid-way through the half, with the Spangels defence caught flat-footed.

A second followed soon after, with more indicision in the Spangels back-line and the game was starting to run away from the home side. Shortly before half-time, right-back Lynch departed with a groin strain, allowing Whiteman an earlier than expected return.

The second half saw a much improved attacking and defensive display, as Spangels restricted Panfields chances and started to create some of their own. One 40 yard ball from Pritchard was tipped over by the away 'keeper following a Whiteman header and Rivett went close with a 20 yard effort. Ramsay pulled off a couple of saves to keep Spangels in it, as more men were committed forward.

Spangels breakthrough came with under ten minutes left. A Crow corner was cleared, but Hagan played the ball back out wide and Crow's cross was finished emphatically via Whiteman's head at the far post.

More drama followed just seconds from the end, as from another Spangels corner a Panfield defender handled on the line. Crow confidently took the ball following the penalty award, but saw his well struck effort excellently saved by the away custodian. Full time followed almost immediately thus denying Spangels another notable result.

Team : Ramsay, Lynch (Whiteman (1)), Wilson, Pritchard, Theobald (C), Rivett, Sayer, Winsborough, Crow, Hagan, Putt.

Spangels MOM : Craig Ramsay.

BNESL Division Three Table

The latest table sees little movement for Spangels, with only one fixture played since the last release...

............................P..W..D..L..F..A.Pts
1.Panfield Bell Rovers.10.10..0..0.53.14..30
2.Chelmer Village Ath'.10..8..1..1.44.18..25
3.Orange Tree..........13..6..2..5.24.32..20
4.Engine Room.........11..6..1..4.35.35..19
5.AFC Foxco............13..4..2..7.36.42..14
6.SPANGELS.............9..4..0..5.19.26..12
7.Hogs FC................8..3..2..3.28.23..11
8.Boars Sports Res'.....9..1..1..7.13.31...4
9.Royal United.........11..0..1.10..8.39...1

February Fixtures

February sees Spangels cup final appearance chances continue, as they begin their assualt on the Neil Horrocks Memorial Trophy...

5th February - Neil Horrocks Memorial Trophy Round One - Braintree Sporting (H)
12th February - League - AFC Foxco (A)
26th February - League - Hogs FC (A)

New Opposition For Sunday

Spangels opponents for Sunday (29th) have changed. With Hogs FC suspension not lifting until February, the previously postponed match at home to league leaders Panfield Bell Rovers has been moved in as replacement.

Following the recent cup victory over second-in-the-league Chelmer Village Athletic, Spangels will be hoping to carry some confidence over to this fixture and improve on the 9-1 drubbing they received from Panfield in the opening game of the season.

Definate absentees are Lowe (shoulder), Tivey & Hart (unavailable), and there are injury concerns over Ramsay, but Pritchard will hope Whiteman and Collis can return.

Lowe Out For Season

After his heroics on Sunday, it has come to light that "Big Nev'" fractured his collar-bone and will be unable to return between the sticks for Spangels.

This will come as a blow to the side, following Lowe's excellent displays against Engine Room and Chelmer Village.

A replacement maybe sort outside of the squad if possible.

Spangels 8 Chelmer Village Athletic 4

BNESL Division Three Cup Semi-Final

A real cup upset was caused by Spangels as they produced a performance of brilliance in seeing off second placed Chelmer Village Athletic in the semi-final of the Division Three Cup.

Every single player on the Spangels team-sheet can be proud of their performance as they out-battled their loftier opponents.

Tivey moved into the centre of midfield for this game, with a man-marking role against Chelmer's creative opposite number, whilst Pritchard slipped back into defence. With Collis absent, Crow moved to the right of midfield, with Sayer on the left.

The game saw a dream start from the home side as they quickly established a 2-0 lead inside ten minutes. First, Putt pounced on a Todd shot which was spilled by the Chelmer 'keeper. Then Todd struck himself after excellent work by Putt on the left. However, this lead was shot-lived as Chelmer brought themselves level with their first two attacks of the match.

The lead was restored by the goal of the game. Lynch crossed low into Tivey's feet, who laid the ball off perfectly for Rivett to score his first for Spangels from 20 yards. And just before the end of the half, Tivey got his own from a couple of yards after another Spangels effort was parried.

4-2 at half-time and the game was there for the taking.

Second half saw Wilson replacing Ramsay at the back, with Todd picking up his second of the game and Spangels fifth with a close-range header. A third was conceeded by Spangels from the penalty spot, which frayed the nerves a little, with Lowe made several excellent saves to keep Chelmer at arms-length. Winsborough then added a sixth from 20 yards (!) and Sayer poached another from inside the box after Winsborough hit angle of post and bar with another 20 yard scorcher.

Putt completed his brace after Chelmer had added a fourth, but the day was Spangels'.

What a performance!

Team : Lowe, Lynch, Ramsay (Wilson), Pritchard (Hagan), Theobald (C), Tivey (1) (Winsborough (1)), Rivett (1), Crow, Sayer (1), Todd (2), Putt (2).

Spangels MOM : Neil Rivett

Spangels new 'keeper... 

Engine Room 5 Spangels 4

Spangels lost for the second time in the league this season to Engine Room by the odd goal today, as an error-ridden first half gave the Mighty Greys too much to do in the second period.

Lowe stepped between the sticks for the first time this season, with manager Pritchard also able to give debuts to the young pairing of Putt & Crow. Whiteman and Williams were AWOL, Winsborough injured and Hagan unavailable.

The opening exchanges went well for the away side and Spangels found themselves one up with an early goal for Putt. Unfortunately this was as good as it got first half as defensive lapses enabled the home team to score two quick-fire goals following mistakes at the back.

Two-one down and Spangels dominated play and possesion, creating several half-chances. However, the defensive frailties continued and another three awful goals were conceeded against the run of play.

A Crow penalty following a foul against Todd in the box brought some hope for Spangels just before the half-time whistle.

Second half saw a much improved performance, with Spangels again taking the game to their opponents and this time they reaped the reward with Putt & sub Sayer reducing the deficit to just one goal, with Lowe performing goalkeeping heroics to keep Spangels in it. Unfortunately the away side then hit a brick wall, unable to create any further goalscoring opportunities as time ran out.

Pritchard will rue the cancellation of last weeks fixture, as the League Cup Semi against Chelmer Village Athletic follows hard on the heels of this game.

Team : Lowe, Lynch (Sayer (1)), Ramsay, Tivey, Theobald (C), Rivett, Crow (1pen), Pritchard, Collis (Wilson), Todd, Putt (2).

Spangels MOM : Daniel Lowe

Another Postponement

Spangels start to 2006 was put on hold today, with Royal United unable to field a team. Whilst they may be given the points by the League Management Committee, Spangels would rather have played this game against the leagues' bottom side, in an attempt to ready themselves for their cup-semi later on in the month.

However, on the good news front, Pritchard was able to sign the skillful pairing of Alex Crow and Chris Putt for the rest of the season. It is hoped these two youngsters will bolster the squad and provide the cutting edge to kill off opponents.

Spangels To Ease Themselves Back In?

On the face of it, Spangels first game of 2006 is a relatively easy one away to Royal United. After a three week lay-off due to the festive period, bottom of the table Royal present an opportunity to build confidence and reduce Xmas stomachs ahead of tougher games in the forthcoming weeks. Spangels beat them 2-0 in the home fixture back in September.

Winsborough will be unavailable for this fixture due to a persistent groin injury. However, it is hoped that Tivey will be back from Aus' and rested enough to play.