Spangels Exit At Group Stage

Unbelievably, Spangels exited today's Sporting 77 6-a-side Tournament at the group stage, after putting on a performance of class and skill, with a surprisingly predictable result trend! With seven groups of five teams and only the winners and overall best runner-up qualifying for the Quarter-Finals, progression looked a tough ask.

However, Spangels started their opening game with confidence and matched the opposition (which included ex-Spangels Chris Putt and Alex Crow) for a while. However, they succumbed to two goals as the ten minute match wore on, without posting any real efforts of note.

Their second game saw Spangels again struggle to muster any real efforts, apart from one Whiteman shot from an acute angle, with another two goals shipped.

Match three was a different story, however, with this likely to decide the group wooden spoon. Spangels attacking confidence had grown after the first two games and they immediately went on the offensive. After a couple of nice passing moves saw no end product, Whiteman picked the ball up on the half-way line and smashed a tremendous swerving effort into the top corner. No 'keeper in the world would've stopped that one!

Spangels second followed a delightful passing move which ended in Lowe playing a good through ball for Pritchard. Shifting the ball from left to right foot, and bamboozling two opposition defenders, he then tucked the ball under the 'keeper into the net. Lynch also went close with in effort as Spangels continued to dominate.

So, three 2-0 scorelines, one for, two against saw Spangels into the final group game (against a side including another former Spangel, Danny Corr). Bodies, however, were tiring and it was a game of almost relentless defence, with Ramsay having his best game in goal, pulling off a string of saves. Another 2-0 defeat was the final score.

Squad; Ramsay, Lynch, Pritchard (1), Lowe, Sayer, Parrett, Whiteman (1).

Afterwards the players reflected on what had been an enjoyable morning's run-out, one which saw Spangels unashamed. Discussion continued down The Bull about setting up an 11-a-side team and maybe entering a local Sunday League. But the person that suggested that was then suddenly and horribly murdered...

See you next year!