Trinderbox were looking forwards to this fixture against the opposition that had given them a very competitive game on a wet Wednesday for the first game of the season. The weather was cold & wind, with a pitch that seemed to offer little to the usual passing game of Trinderbox as it was heavy and looked as though it would cut up badly.
Sparta won the all important toss and chose to kick uphill in the first half. This gave the k.off to the opposition, which was @10.37 for no other reason than the ref was seemingly keeping warm in the changing rooms. Joking aside the ref John Caib had an excellent game throughout, even if he appeared a little more strict than some, it was clear what the decisions were for & all players knew what to expect. It made for a flowing and exciting game, with the advantage rule being properly applied, & play brought back when there was no advantage.
There was a real cup tie attitude on the day, and this was largely due to the fact that this the side that bettered Trinderbox last year in the Stokes semi final It was end to end stuff with both keepers being tested, and half chances at either end of the park. Trinderbox were using the slope to their favour, although the game was even.
Until, that is the 28th minute when a quick throw-in on the right from George “the Hit man”, found an effervescent Calvin Marsden, who turned his man, and struck a viciously dipping shot into the far corner for the edge of the box, leaving the otherwise unscrupulous Sparta keeper clutching fresh air and find himself rooted to the spot. 1 – 0.
The floodgates seemed to open, as Calvin returned the compliment of provider to G, on the right again, to fire home from the angle to give the keeper no chance on 30 minutes making it 2 - 0. Then on 36 minutes, Mike Goodrum, fresh from his escape from Stallag 13 in Oadby, and the girlie “gruppen-furher” lock-in, he put in a superlative cross ball, to find The “Hit man” G on the opposite side of the pitch, who calmly picked his spot from about 16 yards to make it 3 – 0.
Calvin was in scintillating form, covering the heavy pitch as though he had the “wings of Pegasus” on his feet. He ended an intricate passing move involving 4 players with an unstoppable drive from 22 yards that, fortunately for Sparta res’s, rasped over the bar.
Then the move of the match so far saw “G” again prove a through ball to relative newcomer Wade Ball, wide on the right. He comprehensively beat his opposite number, before sending over the most accurate of crosses. He found the noble head of Chris Bodycote, lingering with the intent in the six yard box to score with much aplomb and to the plaudits of the amassed crowd in the Harborough Road Stand. This was on 41 minutes and ended an impressive 13 minutes from the away side. It broke the back of the home side.
Or so it seemed. On 44minutes the Spirit of Sparta returned like a phoenix rising from the flame. Ageless stalwart Tommy “ always a thorn in the side” scored to make it 4 – 1.
Half-time came & went with a complimentary team talk from Paul “ The Gaffer”, and his ”companion” in crime Steve Trinder. The latter bearing a smile as wide as the Amazon after the last goal kept his wallet safe from the doubling of “monies to booze” fund.
The heavy pitch took its toll on the players, except for that man ”Al” Starkey @ fullback. He danced over the ground like Torvill & Dean on ice combined, to force yet another outstanding save from the Sparta keeper. That was on 55 minutes when despite an obvious territorial advantage of 80/20 and possession advantage of similar proportions, the score remained the same.
Damage limitation was the name of the game. Gaffer decided to change the prong of attack. He replaced Mike ”Steve McQueen of the great escape” with Seb Tanczak, back after a magical mystery tour, on 65 minutes. He made a skilful interchange 5 minutes late with “g” who had more links in the game than face book, to record a superb shot, again kept out by the Sparta keeper.
Then, after having served penance by doing 100 lines after the last game, Alex “twinkle toes” Starkey took yet another ball from “g” and fired home from short range to make the score 5 – 1 on 73 minutes. A couple of scares in the Trinderbox goal were kept away by Adam “The Cat”Corbett in superb form. “ Jack Russell” Brezzer was a constant worry for the opposition after replacing the more refined Chris Bods, “flu” man Luke Rehman came on with 10 minutes left to phlegm Sparta in the latter stages of the game.
James “Bond” L. Grant had a smooth game at centre half ably helped By Desmo Ricketts. Adam Littlewood was his usual dependable self, with James Samwell playing his uncompromising best in centre midfield, creating time like H G Wells in his machine, all by himself . Wade Ball was voted man of the match for his skill & industry, but there were many nominees for this treasured position on the day.
Considering the “Boggy Pitch” it was an excellent game for which both sides should be commended on the quality of football. BRING ON THE WHEEL!!
Reported by S W Kirk
