Hadlow United Vrs Spartans

17th October 2004 (WKSL JT r1)

On a cold morning Hadlow faced a team from division 7 in a junior trophy game, Spartans. With the opposition being new to the league Hadlow didn't know what to expect and were slightly surprised to find a strong, well organised team. The only change to last weeks line-up was Excell starting his first game of the season in centre midfield in place of Garside.

The first 20 minutes were hard fought with the play mainly in the middle of the pitch. Hadlow were frequently caught offside by the Spartans high line and "friendly" linesman. Mid-way through the first half Hadlow upped their game and a prolonged spell of pressure down the left, instigated by Wood, culminated in Hadlow taking the lead. Wood found Webb who in turn fed Excell, he used the time and space he had to cut inside a defender and deliver a perfect pass to Leach which he couldn't miss, and he didn't.

The second wasn't long in coming. Webb and Leach's pace breached the defence after another Excell through ball and Webb's unselfish pass left Leach with an open goal, 2-0. Spartan's then had a spell of pressure which resulted the visitors pulling a goal back, but it could have been worse. Walsh made a goal line clearance and Bridges covered behind his centre backs well on more than one occasion. So a solid first-half performance had earned a 2-1 lead.

The second half ended up being a lot easier with Spartans loosing their shape, perhaps due to Hadlow's improving passing tiring them out. A through ball by Wood found Webb who turned his marker inside and out before finishing well. With the game now won Cook gave Excell a well earned rest and also subbed Phil Betts and Wood bringing on Howie, Garside and Magic who would all contribute.

A mistake in the Spartans defence was latched on to by Webb who rounded the 'keeper for an easy goal. However he failed to get his hat-trick when a fine cross by Howie was met by Webb's head forcing a great save from the Spartans 'keeper. A few minutes later Webb fed Magic whose shot hit the back post, the rebound fell to Garside who, with an empty net, screwed the ball wide.

Hadlow did make it 5 when Webb broke free down the left before squaring to Magic to score his first for the club. Spartans scored a late consolation goal to make the final score 5-2.

Hadlow expected to face Goudhurst in the next round but they were surprisingly beaten by a division 6 side without a point giving Hadlow a great chance to make the quarter finals.

Team:

Kurten, Walsh, Carlton, M. Betts, Bridges, P. Betts (Garside), Excell (Bellars (1)), Harvey, Wood (Howie), Leach (2), Webb (2)