Raunds 1-3 spencer

[doughboyhaydn]

Good result for spencer- was it a deserved win???

haydn

[inspectormorse]

From the spencer website

As billed on BBC Radio Northampton, this key match saw two teams both in contention for honours. Spencer, coming off a great win away at Blackstones and eager to avenge the home defeat inflicted by Raunds earlier in the season; Raunds hoping to bounce back from Saturday's home defeat and to atone for their exit from the League Cup at the hands of Spencer, and aiming to be the only club so far this season to do the "double" over the Millers. Welcoming back a number of players from injury, manager Steve Jelley had almost a full complement to select from.

At a wet and windy Kiln Park, Spencer seized the initiative straight away. Spencer's passing and movement cut through Raunds with ease, the Shopmates' players trying to get some possession of the ball but ultimately chasing shadows. The first half chances were plentiful - Spencer could have realistically gone in at half-time with a score of five or six to nil, Olly Urquhart in the Spencer goal having virtually nothing to do. The scoring was opened by Ben Foster in the 12th minute, a superb ball in from Phil Cassidy putting Ben one-on-one with the keeper, and then seeing him slot the ball home for his 16th of the season against his former team. As the half progressed, and Spencer invaded the Raunds half at will, the chances kept coming but not being converted. Just as the Spencer camp was wondering if this might be yet another of those games, a 40th minute corner created a classic goalmouth scramble with virtually the entire Spencer team having turns at trying to force the ball over the line, this eventually being achieved by skipper Pete Gregory.

An injury to Zac Nedimovic saw him substituted at half time for Darren Frost, who wasted no time in getting involved. Just two minutes after the re-start, breaking free of the Raunds defence with his blistering pace, and driving the ball through Raunds' keeper Freeman's legs, he notched his first goal since his return from Woodford Utd. The game continued much as the first half, with Spencer predominantly in control and Raunds unable to make any impression on the game. This was until twenty minutes from the end, when a double substitution of Wayne Richardson for Phil Cassidy and ex-Raunds Simon McCarthy for Luke Dowling seemed to upset Spencer's rhythm and concentration. A cross into the middle wasn't cleared by the Spencer defence, and the loose ball was smashed home for a 72nd minute score for the Shopmates. This goal gave Raunds some hope, and pushed the changed Spencer side onto the back foot, and Raunds enjoyed a 15 minute spell of some pressure. However, the Millers ' defence held firm, and the team regained their composure and control to play out the last five minutes of the game and claim the three points.

Spencer; Olly Urquhart, Ian Giles, Josh Urquhart, Jason Gray, Luke Dowling ( Simon McCarthy), Pete Gregory (c), Scott Marshall, Phil Cassidy (Wayne Richardson), Zac Nedimovic (Darren Frost), Ben Foster, Chris Davies Sub Not Used: Jon Burdett
Attendance: 78

[doughboyhaydn]

Thanks mate, spencer do play lovely football with their passing and movement as we found out in the first half against us.They are all confident on the ball and it,s very hard to defend against at times. If spencer have a full fit squad to choose from then they will be very tough to beat, and will have a say come the end of the season.

HAYDN

[kilnparkman]

Thanks for the report. It seems as though we've done it again, in our "off" period that we're having. We've clearly got the ability as shown in recent games including the Spencer one where we have bursts, yet for some reason it's not sustained or is too late on in the game.

The consolation to this, though, i that Spencer are very good, so we weren't embarassed...

[grassroots]

kilnparkman said:

Thanks for the report. It seems as though we've done it again, in our "off" period that we're having. We've clearly got the ability as shown in recent games including the Spencer one where we have bursts, yet for some reason it's not sustained or is too late on in the game.

The consolation to this, though, i that Spencer are very good, so we weren't embarassed...

Will that off period carry on into saturday? ;D