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