The Spartan Forest team regained top spot in Division 2 of the Essex Corinthian League on Sunday with a solid performance against May & Bakers Reserves.
Spartans got stuck in straight away after arriving at the ground late due to a couple of wrong turns along the way (it would seem that the streets of Dagenham would prove a trickier obstacle than the gaffer imagined. Not mentioning any names, but some people have no sense of direction. Tom and Longy are funny).
The boys in blue started the game by playing two touch football, resulting in some excellent attacking moves, and it didn't take long to inflict some damage on the Essex boys. An excellent, fluid passing move by Phil, Longy and man-of-the-match Rob Morrissey resulted in a bottom corner finish for the little man to put Spartans 1-0 up. Our boys continued to pile on the pressure against a woeful defence for the rest of the half, but failed to put the ball in the net, despite some great chances.
May & Bakers, started to take a firmer hold on the game early in the second half. Unlike previous games, Spartans awoke to the danger straight away and continued with their onslaught. A great through ball from Ellis "Mad Dog" Zenios to Matty Tallon made it easy for the Irishman to round the keeper and tap in his 7th of the season. 2-0.
It was at this point that the Forest boys had one of their "let's give them a chance moment". Captain of the moment Olly "Asbo/Curry Goat/Barry George" Drew played a "mysterious" cross field ball, which right-back Rob Stanger failed to clear. The May & Bakers left winger played a ball to the far post, which was duly dispatched by their striker. 2-1.
The Spartans rallied again, however. A number of chances followed, but the scoreline remained as it was until Tallon received the ball just outside the box, where he lauched a delightful chip over the keeper with his typical accuracy to effectively finish the game. The Irishman's fourth goal in two games brings him level in the scoring charts with Ellis. The pair are now only two goals shy of catching Sam "The Pharoah" Haidar, who was absent for this game.
Despite a couple of scares, including a world class save by goal keeper Dan Bracken, the East-Londoners saw the game out to the final whistle. 3-1 without their top striker, and without really hitting top speed, isn't a bad result. It was enough to send them into first place again, but they'll have to keep improving as the season pans out if they want to take home some silverware, especially with favourites Valentine United only a point behind with 2 games in hand. Next up, Spartans look to avenge rivals Ascot United, who held them to a 2-2 draw earlier in the season, thanks to some "innovative" referreeing. I, as well as many others, am really looking forward to it.
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