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Sanuk welcomed promoted Spindles to Collins Park in the two teams first
ever league fixture. Spindles featuring ex-Sanuk (Quilligans) star the
evergreen Greek Phil Ioannou. Spindles arrived nice and early (except
for the Greek), fully kitted and ready for action with a big 18 man
squad against the Champions.
Fortunately for Sanuk, you can only play eleven at one time, as once more due to let downs by certain players, Sanuk fielded a bare eleven men. The Gaffer's son Darren joining top scorer brother Jordan up front for his first ever start for the team, and his first eleven a side game for a long time.
Sanuk settled down very quickly and it was clear from the first whistle, that although we were short on numbers, our proud record on Collins Park where we are unbeaten for well over two years was going to be defended fiercely.
Sanuk's excellent work sadly was let down on a number of occasions in the first half by a poor final ball. At the other end Sanuk keeper Mark Smith was merely a spectator for the most part. Antony Pearson came the closest as he rounded the Spindles keeper, but failed to find either the gaping net or Jordan Spedding and Paul Dickinson waiting for a tap in.
After Darren Spedding's hard work, he was replaced at half time by Chris Corless who had arrived late but was named on the bench. His introduction in to the fray was vital, as his pace gave Sanuk that cutting edge that we was missing in the first half.
On 52 minutes the first goal arrived, Michael Clark's inswinging corner from the right was swept in at the far post by midfielder Antony Pearson to give Sanuk a much deserved lead.
Sanuk they grew in confidence and had Spindles on the rack playing some good football. Paul Dickinson was making some great runs down the left, and despite desperate appeals for offside, his latest foray was rewarded as he crossed for Chris Corless to finish to give Sanuk a 2-0 lead after 60 minutes.
Jordan Spedding then somehow to contrived to miss a simple header from 5 yards out with the goal at his mercy. However, moments later he redeemed himself as he raced in to the box and buried Sanuk's third goal to put us out of sight.
Antony Pearson then rattled the bar with a sublime curler before Spedding added another before the end.
Finally, in stoppage time Spindles grabbed a consolation that looked suspiciously offside and quite rightly flagged by Crofty. Generously, referee Steve Hill who once more enhanced his growing reputation as one of the best, decided to over rule him.
In summary, a brilliant effort from the lads, fully aware that we was down to the bare bones, all the lads stepped up to the plate and put a great shift in.
Smithy played through a sore back, Watty worked tirelessly and Brabes who played with his awful head injury deserves a medal for sheer bravery,(and that was just for getting it past his missus that he could play).
Tommo and young Douthy were excellent as usual, and Dicko is looking more like his old self with them lung busting runs down the left. Clarky (who is just a pleasure to watch) bossed the midfield along with Pearson and the excellent Matt Lawler.
Finally a good shift by the Spedding brothers up front was topped off by the introduction of Chris Corless at half time who turned the game. Well done all of you, everyone showed great character and earned the three points.
Team
Smith, Braebaum, Thompson, Douthwaite, Watt, Lawler, Pearson, Dickinson, Clark, Spedding (D) (Corless 45), Spedding (J).
Substitutes
Coreless.
Scorers
Pearson 52, Corless 60, Spedding 68, 85.
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