TENACITY PAYS OFF

SPARTANS TIE GAME TO END DEFEATED STREAK

Kevin Finds the Twine!

Amid storm clouds and torrential rains, the local heroes showed what they were made from!

The Spartans played with a unique flair last game, and actually started the scoring quickly. A long pass from Dismo to Kevin got the ball into the net.

"I don't know what happened," said Kevin,"one moment I'm tying my shoes, next moment there's a ball on my boot. I thought it was a spider so I kicked at it. What a goal!"

From there, the Spartans decided to take a breather, and quickly allowed the defense to tire and it was 2-1 for their opponents.

"Very sloppy," indicated Baron," just like the weather."

After a few line changes, the Spartans seemed to find what they were needing.

F'n J was brought down within the 18, but no penalty shot was awarded. Furious, the young superstar mooned the crowd of onlookers.

"It was pure mayhem," indicated one Fan, who became ill at the sight,"I thought I was looking at Grizzly Adams."

For almost forty minutes, the Spartans led charge after charge, something this reporter has not seen since the early days of this club. Eventually there had to be a break, and a goal.

And so there was. Dismo, leading by himself was brought down inside the 18. This time there was no arguing the Ref's decision. Never to miss an open net, Dismo tied the game with a perfectly timed kick that almost went through the other side of the net.

"It's great to get those," laughed Dismo, who elevates his status greatly through his deeds on this day's pitch.

"Although I feel that the lads can do better," stated Coach Baron,"I think that they showed balls and guts. And that's what they'll need to win the next game."

STATS:

Dismo (A)

Kevin (G)

Dismo (G) PK

NET:

Adam (0-1-0) AVG: 2.00

Man of the Match:
Dismo

SPARTANS LOSE HEATED GAME

GOOD GOALTENDING KEEPS THEM FROM SECOND WIN

Can't Buy a Goal These Days!

"I'm very proud of the boys today," revealed Coach Baron,"They played like a team for the most part and really tested the opponents. The best team did not win today."

The Spartans were unusual in that they dominated the game from start to finish. A few sloppy and unlucky plays, plus an own goal, sealed their fate against a red hot goalie.

"I'm not sure how he gets those," yelled an exasperated Abe, who tested the goalie with some fine shots.

"It was frustrating for Spartan Fans," commented Commentator Jason de Bos," who saw their team at their best. I was particularily impressed with the work of Scott and F'n J, who both were playing hard and pulled the team out of some great pickles."

Our heroes went down by one, after a tricky shot moved past the goalkeeper and into the net.

Things were quickly tied, when Scott sent a pass to Matt, who is rarely one to miss such a gift.

The opponents scored again on a lead in that simply had more dodging skills than anything else.

Back to Scott, who found Dismo with a blistering top up. Game tied.

A late own goal off a corner kick finished the game off, despite so gallant and often interesting moves by the Spartan crew.

"There's nothing that these guys should blame themselves about," finished Coach Baron."the biggest things are being done...now comes the fine tuning!"

STATS:
GOALS:
Scott (A)
Matt (G)
Scott (A)
Dismo (G)

NET:
Paul (1-0-2) AVG: 2.67

Man of the Match:
Justin

SPARTANS LOSE RAUCOUS AFFAIR

IN FIGHTING TAKES ITS TOLL ON THE TEAM

Dave Scores from the Penalty Kick!

"The team still has a lot of growing to do," said Baron after the second loss of the season.

Although the team looked sharp in the first half, there were some disappointing moments.

Infighting seemed to blow up in the locker room. Although mates were quick to separate arguing members, the Baron was not impressed.

"Teams that have intense disagreements typically do not win," reminded Baron."I, of course, speak about the debacle that was Bayern Muenchen. Talented team, but didn't trust each other. That's spells disaster."

Numerous yellow cards were handed out during the match, as the refereee was not taking any lip from the players.

The game also featured two penalty shots in the second half.

"The officiating was questionable," commented Gerry Dobson of TSN," but so was some of the plays"

Although the Spartans lost 3-1, there is optimism for the next game.
"It may get rained out," revealed one fan.

STATS:
Dave (1) PK

NET:
Paul (1-0-1) AVG: 2.50

Man of the Match
Justin

SPARTANS WIN FIRST OF SEASON

BARON SAYS "TEAM WORK" WON THE GAME

'Nuff Said!

"There's no formation that can save this team," said Baron, still injured from last week,"but there is a team that can win this formation...and we found it this game!"

Jostling his players about, the ex-Borussia Dortmund star found a winning combination.

Things started well, with the Spartans sending the ball into the Darlington FC 18 time and time again. For the first 30 minutes, it was all Spartans.

Then...tragedy! A miscue by the players allowed a blooper to pass goalkeeper Paul.

"Not sure what happened there," returned Paul in a post game interview with CHEX TV,"I thought they had it, but the ground was wet, and the ball seemed to stall in the divet."

This seemed to ignite the Spartans.

Superstar Justin simply crushed the ball into the net after the Keeper took out Kevin.

"I told you whining bitches that I was the best! And here it is...F'n J in every way!"

From there, it was all Spartans.

Second half, in what can only be described as the worst looking goal of all year, Scott tripped, headed the ground ball to Carmen who delivered a blister into the twine.

"I'm not sure what he wanted to do," explained Carmen,"I didn't think the header on the ground would work, so I improvised, closed my eyes and hoped for the best."

2-1 Spartans.

Scott, who has been playing in a shell as of late, finally broke out, making the Darlington FC defense look like pylons at times. After some quick moves, he finally found the back of the net, ending his one game drought.

"I know that I owed it to Baron for giving me this chance after my ejection from Chelsea," an excited Scott commented,"and I finally made good. It's been so long since I've scored for the Spartans, and this is a new phase in my career."

3-1 Spartans.

As the game neared its end, the Spartans broke discipline to allow the hosts to score one more to make it 3-2. But as the game whistle went, Baron and his team knew that a new leaf had been turned.

"First win, second game," recited Baron,"if the team can maintain focus, we can be a top 5 team easily. I'm very proud of my Spartans today!"

STATS:

Matt (A)

Justin (G)

Scott (A)

Carmen (G)

Ian (GWA)

Scott (GWG)

NET:

Paul (1-0-0) AVG: 2.00

Man of the Match
Dan

IN OTHER NEWS:

CAN ABE GET A HEADER GOAL?

The young ex-Porto Forward gave a text book display of headers during the game, including a nifty one that the goalkeeper just got a piece.

"My dream is to get a hattie with my head!"

WELCOME BACK DAVE

Dave, noticeably absent from last game, was working hard in his centre position.

"F'n J is spouting off on stuff, but I don't care. It's all about winning, and we're all winners today."