Pritchard Close To Announcing Cup Final Squad

With only ten days to go until Spangels BNESL Division Three Cup Final at Halstead Town FC against Panfield Bell Rovers, manager Ian Pritchard is close to announcing the starting eleven.

The prognosis does not look good for right-back Lynch's injured ankle and he now appears very unlikely to play in the game. His disappointment is obvious. Lowe is also unlikely to feature, despite seeing his hamstring injury improve, as right shoulder damage will probably rule him out. Winsborough's rib-injury may see him restricted to the subs' bench.

With the rearrangement of the Royal United away league fixture still to be given a date by the league, Spangels will go into the final having not played for three weeks. However, their form has been excellent, with three wins on the bounce and Spangels players should still be high in confidence.

The only point of controversy surrounds the kit Spangels will be able to wear, as this clashes with their opposition. But, no matter what shirts are on their backs, Pritchard will expect his charges to give 100% and come away from Halstead knowing they did themselves proud.

Spangels 4 Orange Tree 1

BNESL Division Three

For the first time this season Spangels completely dominated a game from start to finish, never allowing their opponents a sniff as they moved steadily towards the Division Three Cup Final on 2nd April.

The only changes from last weeks defeat of Chelmer Village Athletic saw Sayer move from right-back to left midfield, to replace the absent Hagan, and Gary Livermore start for only the third time this season in his place.

Spangels attacked Orange Tree relentlessly for the first 15 minutes and it was a combination of bad luck and bad finishing that prevented the home side taking a early lead. Numourous times Spangels broke into good attacking positions, particularly on the right where Putt saw a lot of the ball early on. However, Whiteman, Crow and Rivett were all guilty of missing goal scoring opportunities.

After 20 minutes, the deadlock was broken following an excellent through ball by Rivett which Whiteman latched onto and buried into the corner of the net. Tivey was unlucky seconds later to see a 30 yard effort clip the outside of the post and go right across the goal-line before being cleared.

Centre-back Pritchard then put Spangels two-up, with his second goal in two games, having surged on to an counter-attacking ball from Putt, he then finished with aplomb into the roof of the Orange net from 20 yards.

Spangels were really playing some fantastic stuff at this stage and found mutli-player passing moves an ease as further goals were sought. Their third and Whiteman's second saw at least six home players linking up before a Putt ball from the right was tucked away.

Complacancy in the second half was the danger with Spangels three goals to the good, especially following the reverse administered by Spangels the previous week. Orange, though, could not find a way through the Spangels defence and although the attacking play was not as fluent as the first half, the home side still looked dangerous.

Rivett saw the wood-work prevent him from adding to Spangels goal tally twice in the second half. Gary Livermore added Spangels fourth from close range after another corner caused havoc in Orange's box.

Orange's only reply came with two minutes left and saw Ramsay beaten all ends up from a 20 yard top-corner thunderbolt from a cleared corner.

This was by far Spangels most comprehensive victory of the season and was exactly the tonic required leading into the big match in three weeks time.


Team : Ramsay, G.Livermore (1), Wilson, Pritchard (1), Theobald (C), Tivey (Collis), Rivett, Sayer, Putt, Crow (Hart), Whiteman (2) (Todd).

Spangels MOM : Gary Livermore

Treble Chance

Spangels have an excellent opportunity to make it three victories in a row on Sunday when they entertain Orange Tree, in what could be their last league fixture of the season. In late October Spangels were unlucky to lose the away tie 2-1 and will hope to reverse the result, aiming for a possible finish as high as fourth in the league.

Last Sunday's 7-4 win over second placed Chelmer Village and a 2-0 win over AFC Foxco in their previous fixture gives Spangels momentum going into this game, which they hope to carry to Halstead in three weeks time.

Pritchard should have those available from the most recent win, as well as Winsborough, subject to his rib injury clearing.

Chelmer Village Athletic 4 Spangels 7

BNESL Division Three

Stranger and more unlikely comebacks are seledom seen of the like that was played out in this league tie against second-placed Chelmer Village Athletic.

Having beaten Chelmer just six weeks previously in the League Cup semi, Spangels were confident going into this match, but knew they would have to be on their game to come away with a result. With Ramsay, Lowe, Winsborough and Lynch unavailable, Pritchard handed the 'keepers jersey to Todd, with Tivey taking up a central midfield role. Sayer slotted in at right-back and Hagan played out on the left wing.

The first ten minutes of the match saw the home side cruise to a two-goal lead, with Spangels all at sea. In the next 25 minutes the away team play some better stuff and slowly confidence returned. A tremendous Crow cross was expertly headed into the net by Whiteman, bringing Spangels back into it. Other chances were created for Pritchard, Whiteman and Rivett, before Chelmer punished the visitors for more sloppy play at the back, moving into a comfortable 4-1 lead at half-time.

But Spangels were not finished, as they knew their football could recover the result. After Rivett had scored his first of the match, with a close finish after the Chelmer 'keeper spilled a Crow shot, two very strange goals were scored. First, a Rivett cross from the right looped into the Chelmer net. This was followed minutes later by a Crow corner which flew in untouched at the far post.

Stranger still, Spangels moved into a 5-4 lead, with centre-back Pritchard swivelling in the box and striking a left-foot half volley into the corner of the net. This was his first goal since October 2001!

Rivett added a sixth with a fantastic header from another great Crow cross. The seventh saw Rivett involved again, this time another header, which was possbily going wide being diverted into his own net by a hapless Chelmer defender.

So, another great result ahead of Spangels' Cup Final next month...

Team : Todd, Sayer, Wilson, Pritchard (1), Theobald (C) (Livermore), Tivey, Rivett (3), Hagan (Collis), Crow (1), Whiteman (1), Putt.

Spangels MOM : Paul Whiteman

Repeat Performance?

Spangels will be looking to double-up against second placed Chelmer Village Athletic on Sunday, proving their cup semi-final win was no fluke, as they travel to Witham in what could be the penaltimate league game of the season (see previous story).

Despite losing at home 5-1 earlier in the season, Spangels proved too strong in the cup semi, winning 8-4 and therefore booking a final place at Halstead Town against Panfield Bell Rovers. Pritchard should have a strong team to field, with only long-term absentee Lowe & recent injury victim Lynch definitely unavailable. The only potential show-stopper is the Ramsay wedding the previous afternoon, which could see some of the squad sporting hang-overs and obviously means the groom will be absent also.