After a few weeks where both teams have had a poor run of results, it's a good feeling to come out of this weekend without losing.
From what I've heard (can we have a write up??) about the Forest team, the performance was much better and we've begun to look like ourselves again. Form is temporary, but class is permanent as they say. With a week off, it gives us a chance to fine tune our passing game again so lets make sure that we are back to our best by the time the next game comes around.
Both teams were without recognised goalkeepers this week.
The fact that Andy didn't have a save to make while deputising in goal for KOPA, speaks volumes of the team performance.
We reverted to a 4-5-1 formation lining up with Silv, Mike, Pete and James in defence. The difference was made in midfield where Luke, George M and George Neo formed a formidable unit in the engine room, giving Cos and Demi licence to roam on the wings and focus on supporting the attacks. Dee kept the entire Olympia back 4 occupied up front.
The first half consisted of winning the ball in midfield and feeding it down the channels to good effect. Most of our good work was done down the left with Cos and Dee combining well and at speed, but the final ball eluded us.
In the last minute of the first half Cos found Dee just inside the left hand side of the box. He turned, found half a yard and struck a fierce shot which was saved well by the keeper. The ball came flying out to Cos who struck it beautifully, curling it into the right hand corner of the net from 15 yards out, a la Henry.
A great way to end the half.
The second half continued just like the first. Andy was called to rush out of his box to make a couple of clearances with his feet from balls over the top as Olymbia kept making changes to try and break us down. Only twice did they manage to get into our box only to be thwarted by a last ditch clearance.
At the other end Demi began to see more of the ball on the right. There just seemed to be something about that side of the pitch! Might have been the big puddle in the centre. He held it well, often cutting inside to try and find the killer ball. Cos also began to hold up the ball well on the left, waiting for support which always arrived from the engine room.
On one such occasion he slowed the game down, assessed his options, took the ball to the byline and crosses it in perfectly to the oncoming George M who had a glorious opportunity to take it down and just put it into the empty net. But he didn't get a call of 'time' and took it first time, sending the ball over the bar.
With 15 minutes to go, Guy came on for Demi and added a new dimension to the game. Picking up the ball on the right, he showed great vision and skill by making a couple of perfect cross field balls to Cos.
The game ended without much further incident and Spartans walked away with the 3 points.
Next stop, Brotherhood.
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