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