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Saturday 20^th December 2008

 U9 Huntingdonshire Mini Soccer League 

Brampton Spartan Reds 3 Somersham Town Youth Blue 3

Two evenly matched teams contested a closely fought game, with both having chances to sneak a victory.

Somersham began the first half strongly and soon took the lead, with a quick passage of play, that caught the Spartans’ midfield and defence on their ‘heels.’ Spartans then began to get more into the match and started to play some nice pass and move football. From a precision pass, Jack Newman made an incisive run that saw him finish from the tightest of angles to make the score 1-1.

The game really kicked into life, with some strong, but fair challenges by both teams, who where fully committed in trying to get the lead. However, it was Somersham who managed to take advantage and score their second goal of the game. Spartans, once again showed their fighting spirit and determination and a goal from Will Brackley saw the scores level again.

The game was end to end with both keepers, when called upon performing magnificently.  A well struck shot from the edge of the Spartans area saw Somersham regain the lead. Straight from the re-start Will Brackley picked the ball up and ran the length of the pitch before shooting low into the corner of the Somersham net, to bring parity to the score again.

The second half saw both sides create a number of chances, but none were taken and the final score finished 3-3. On balance a draw was a fair result.

Spartan’s man of the match was James McKeating for his strong defensive play and use of the ball from defence.

Squad:  James McKeating (MofM),  Josh Matcham, Jack Newman, Demi Dixon, Will Brackley, Nathan Wadey, Thomas Thackray, Dan Pedlar & Toby Le

Saturday 6th December 2008 

 Hunts Mini Soccer league U9A

Brampton Spartans 7 Ramsey Colts A 9

Brampton Spartans produced a magnificent performance, full of commitment and passion, against an excellent Ramsey Colts A team, who haven’t lost in the league all season.

Spartans bagged 7 excellent goals from Will Brackley (4), Jack Newman and Josh Matcham (2) and held the lead throughout the whole match until the last 5 minutes, where Ramsey drew level and went onto score a further 2 goals to make the final score 7-9.

The whole of the Spartans team deserve immense credit for working hard, playing some exceptional football and giving absolutely everything in trying to get a much deserved result. 

Toby Le and Jack Newman were strong and controlled in defence, Jack scoring for the second week running from long range and Toby throwing his body to block a number of goal scoring opportunities. The Spartans midfield found their passing game, with some lovely link up play during the match between Thomas Thackray, James McKeating, Dan Pedlar and Nathan Wadey, with the forwards of Will Brackley and Josh Matcham.

Both Will Brackley and Josh Matcham took their chances well and on another day the Spartans might have scored a few more goals with James McKeating hitting the bar from long range, Thomas Thackray and Josh Matcham both have chances cleared off the line.

The Spartans joint management team at the beginning of the match had asked for a performance from the players and the players didn’t disappoint. 

Spartans man of the match was Will Brackley for his four goals and his excellent all round forward play

Squad:  William Brackley (MofM), Toby Le, Jack Newman Joshua Matcham, Nathan Wadey, James McKeating, Thomas Thackray & Dan Pedlar

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Saturday 29^th November 2008.

Friendly - Brampton Spartans Reds U10s 5 Brampton Spartans Reds U9s 5

The U9s began the first half with a positive attitude and created a number of goal scoring opportunities, only to be denied by some last ditch defending and an excellent display from the U10’s goalkeeper. As the half progressed the U10s grew in confidence and began to dominate the game and the U9s found it difficult to stop the onslaught and from some less than impressive defending from the U9s, the U10s broke the deadlock. From the resulting goal the U9s lost a little composure and their heads dropped slightly and before the end of the half the U9s found themselves 4-0 down, with a mountain to climb in the second half.

After a few words of encouragement at half time from the joint management team, a totally different U9 team took the field. A team full of commitment and passion and straight from the kick off Josh Matcham found himself one-on-one with the U10’s goalkeeper and slotted the ball away with aplomb. This lifted the U9s, though they didn’t take advantage of the early second half strike, until the last fifteen minutes of the half. A lovely pass and move between Nathan Wadey and Thomas Thackray, found Will Brackley who scored the U9s second. Will quickly followed that with his second goal of the game. The U9s in trying to get back into the game left some gaps at the back and the U10s exploited the space to score their fifth goal of the game.

Jack Newman was pushed into midfield and was given a number of opportunities to shoot from long range and it was from one of those opportunities that he picked up the ball, run at the defence and from the edge of the box hit a ‘rocket’ that found its way into the goal. The referee had signalled that there was only 30 seconds left before the final whistle. From the U10’s kick-off, Thomas Thackray, ‘nicked’ the ball from a U10s player, slotted a slide rule ball through to Will Brackley, who took it in his stride and from the edge of the box ‘smashed’ the ball passed the U10 goalkeeper, to complete his hat-trick and making the final score 5-5.      

U9’s man of the match was Jack Newman for his excellent battling defensive and midfield displays.

Squad: Jack Newman (MofM), Will Brackley, Thomas Thackray, Nathan Wadey, Daniel Pedlar, Toby Le, James McKeating, Joshua Matcham & Demi Dixon

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Saturday 22^th November 2008

U9 Huntingdonshire Mini Soccer League

Huntingdon Rowdies 0 Brampton Spartan Reds 5

Brampton Spartan Reds were in exceptional form, beating Huntingdon Rowdies by 5 goals to 0. Both sides adapted well to extreme weather conditions, but it was Spartans who took the lead through a quick break that saw Will Brackley slot the ball pass an on rushing Huntingdon goalkeeper. Will then went onto score a second for the Spartans.

Spartans started to take control of the game and it wasn’t long before the third and fourth goals arrived. The third was a nice strike by Demi Dixon, who followed in after the Huntingdon goalkeeper made a fine save. The fourth was well taken by Thomas Thackray after a nice passage of play from the Spartans midfield. The first half finished with Spartans 4 goals to the good.

The weather conditions in the second half began to take their toll, but the Spartans worked tirelessly, playing some exquisite football, but despite this dominance Spartans only managed to added one further goal, scored by Thomas Thackray.

Spartans man of the match was Thomas Thackray, for two well taken goals and for his link up play from midfield.

Squad: Thomas Thackray(MofM),Toby Le, William Brackley, Jack Newman, Nathan Wadey, Daniel Pedlar, Josh Matcham, James McKeating & Demi Dixon.

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Saturday 15^th November 2008

Friendly – Brampton Spartan Reds 3 Hemingford Junior Reds 5

Brampton Spartans Reds came up against a good Hemingford Junior Reds side and finished the game losing 3-5.

A below par performance from the Spartans saw Hemingford dominate the majority of the match and it was a fortuitous goal that handed the Spartans the lead mid way through the first half. Josh Matcham chased down a back pass to the Hemingford keeper, only for the clearance to strike Josh and nestle in the bottom corner. Almost immediately Hemingford hit back with an equaliser and the half finished 1-1.

The second half began slightly better for the Spartans and they began to find there shooting boots. However, it was Hemingford who took the lead from the penalty spot. Spartans then equalised with a goal from Will Brackley, only to see Hemingford take the lead again straight from the kick-off. Spartans yet again fought back, with a second goal from Josh Matcham. In the dying minutes of the match Hemingford scored a further two goals to make the final score 3-5.

Spartans man of the match was Josh Matcham for his striking and goalkeeping performances. 

Squad: Josh Matcham (MoM), James McKeating, Will Brackley, Dan Pedlar, Nathan Wadey, Toby Le, Thomas Thackray, Jack Newman & Demi Dixon

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Saturday 8^th November 2008

U9 Huntingdonshire Mini Soccer League

 Brampton Spartan Reds 4 Fenstanton Youth Reds 0

The first half proved to be a half of few chances, with both sides battling for midfield supremacy. However, Spartans made the best of the goal scoring opportunities to finish the first half 2-0 in the lead. The first Spartans goal was a well worked moved down the right that finished with an accurate cross into the Fenstanton box, where James McKeating was unmarked to slot the ball home. Soon after Will Brackley added the second.

The second half saw the Spartans play some nice, neat football, though at times Fenstanton put the Spartans defence under pressure, but some excellent defensive work from Toby Le, Jack Newman and Nathan Wadey kept Fenstanton at bay. After weathering the Fenstanton storm, the Spartans midfield began to take control, with Demi Dixon battling hard, Tom Thackray was unlucky on two occasions to see long range efforts well saved by the Fenstanton keeper. It was Dan Pedlar who finally made the Spartans dominance tell, with a lovely jinking run, finished with a lovely shot into the right hand corner. Will Brackley finished the scoring, when a quick throw-in from Toby Le was well struck by Will with his left foot.

Spartans man of the match was Thomas Thackray for excellent midfield and goalkeeping displays.

Squad: Thomas Thackray (MofM), Toby Le, William Brackley, Jack Newman, Nathan Wadey, Daniel Pedlar, Josh Matcham, James McKeating & Demi Dixon

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Saturday 25^th October 2008

Friendly – Brampton Spartans Reds 4 Godmanchester Rovers 2

A superb performance by Brampton Spartans, full of commitment and passion, mixed with some excellent football saw them overcome a strong Godmanchester Rovers side by 4 goals to 2.

Spartans began the first half well creating a number of goal scoring opportunities, but were unable to capitalise. Spartans won a corner midway through the half and direct from the corner Will Brackley scored. Spartans grew in confidence and finished the half 2 goals to the good with another strike by Will Brackley.  

At the start of the second half Godmanchester Rovers went straight on the attack and within 10 minutes of the kick off were level at 2-2. Spartans the dug deep, with James Mckeating and Toby Le defending extremely well to deny Godmanchester any goal scoring opportunities and on the occasions that Godmanchester did break through they found Josh Matcham in outstanding form in the Spartan goal. A Spartans attacked ended in a corner and from the corner Spartans were awarded a penalty for hand ball. Will Brackley scored to complete his hat trick and then went onto to score his fourth. Spartans midfield of Dan Pedlar, Nathan Wadey and Thomas Thackray worked tireless in attack and defence all game.

Spartans man of the match was Dan Pedlar for his excellent and committed display throughout the whole game. 

Squad: Dan Pedlar (MoM), Will Brackley, Nathan Wadey, Toby Le, Josh Matcham, Thomas Thackray & James McKeating

Saturday 18^th October 2008

Friendly – Brampton Spartans Reds 2 Buckden Youth 4

Brampton Spartans Reds went down to Buckden Youth by 2 goals to 4. The Spartans did not really get started throughout the game and early in the first half found themselves 2 goals behind. Spartans went onto to defend well throughout the remainder of the first half. A late strike by Josh Matcham, from the tightest of angles, deceived the Buckden goal keeper and the first half ended 2-1.

Spartans started the second half very strongly, but failed to covert any of their chances, albeit none were clear goal scoring opportunities. Buckden then had a corner and from the resulting corner Buckden were award a penalty for hand ball. A fine save from Jack Newman from the result penalty kept the Spartans in the game. However, Buckden grew in confidence and before the end of the half made the score 4-1. A late strike by Nathan Wadey reduced the deficit.

Spartans man of the match was James McKeating for his excellent second half defensive and midfield displays. 

Squad: James McKeating (MoM), Will Brackley, Dan Pedlar, Nathan Wadey, Toby Le, Josh Matcham, Thomas Thackray, Jack Newman & Demi Dixon

Saturday 11^th October 2008.

Friendly – Brampton Spartan Reds 5 St Ives Rangers Colts R 2

A strong first half display saw the Spartans finish the half 4 goals to the good.

From the kick-off Spartans went immediately on the attack and a slight mix up in the St Ives penalty area, saw Will Brackley take advantage and slot the ball home for Spartan’s first. An excellent corner routine saw Toby Le leave his defensive responsibility and arrive late in the St Ives box to score with a well taken shot. The Spartans third and fourth goals followed before the end of the half, both taken well by Josh Matcham and Will Brackley. Spartans defended well throughout the first half with the midfield of Dan Pedlar, Tom Thackray and Nathan Wadey all working hard to deny the St Ives team any clear goal scoring opportunities. When St Ives did manage to break through Jack Newman made a crucial double save and the defensive partnership of James McKeating and Toby Le held fast, allowing the Spartans to finish the half 4-0 up.

The second half saw St Ives start brightly and before long the hardworking St Ives team had pulled two goals back. However, a scintillating strike from the left hand corner of the penalty box by Will Brackley increased the Spartan’s lead. Despite a number of chances at either end the final score finished 5-2 to the Spartans.

Spartan’s man of the match was Jack Newman for his solid first half goalkeeping display and a strong defensive display in the second half.   

Squad: Jack Newman (MoM), Will Brackley, Dan Pedlar, Nathan Wadey, Toby Le, James McKeating, Josh Matcham & Thomas Thackray

Saturday 27^th  September 2008

U9 Huntingdonshire Mini Soccer League

Fenstanton Youth Blue 4 Brampton Spartan Reds 3

A closely fought game, played in the right spirit, saw the Spartans battle back from 4-0 down to nearly earn a deserved draw.

The first half proved to be a half of few chances, with both sides battling for midfield supremacy. The best of the goal scoring opportunities fell to the Spartans, but they were unable to take advantage of any of the half chances and the half finished 0-0.

In the second half, the Spartans were slow to get started and were on the defensive from the start. Despite some heroic defending from the Spartans, Fenstanton took the lead. The head’s of the Spartan players dropped slightly after going a goal behind and within a 5 minute spell Fenstanton had moved into a 4-0 lead.

This galvanised the Spartans into action, who then proceeded to spend the last 10 minutes of the match on the attack. A jinking run by Tom Thackray, saw his shot at goal take a deflection of a defender, an individual goal by Dan Pedlar, followed by a right foot strike from James McKeating made the score 4-3. Spartans had chances at the end of the half to nick a draw, but it just wasn’t to be. The final score finished 4-3 to Fenstanton.

Spartans man of the match was Toby Le, for his solid all round defensive display.

This match epitomised the team spirit of the Spartans who showed tremendous courage, effort and determination, such qualities will hold them in good stead for the rest of the season.

Squad: Toby Le (MofM), William Brackley, Jack Newman, Nathan Wadey, Daniel Pedlar, Josh Matcham, James McKeating &Thomas Thackray.