SPARTANS FEEL THE PRESSURE

PLAYOFFS CAUSE ILLNESS AND FEAR

Fans of the Spartans will have to wait until 2100h today to see if all the losses have amounted to enough experience to beat their cross town rivals Chrome.

"It's a total gut check," Captain Baron told reporters,"and sometimes you don't pass. In those instances, you often end up on the toilet, getting rid of butterflies."

The Spartans will be missing two of their defenders today. Veteran Kyle is still out on a leg injury, and fan favourite Mark is sick.

"It's not often that we get a chance to participate in the playoffs," revealed an excited Assistant Anders," but I think I'm ready. Well, 85% sure. No, wait. 55%. Can we start this over?"

Some in the locker room were more philosophical.

"When the game was first played, the 5-3-2 formation was considered the best. Now we go to the extremes with 1-2-1-3-1-1.75-.25-1. I just don't get it." said strategist Dave.

With so much on the line, who will show and who won't. That is the question fans will be asking as they fill the stands tonight.

PREVIOUS GAME STATS:
Abe (A)
Scott (G)
Chris (A)
Scott (G)

Man of the Match
Scott

COACHING CORNER

SPARTAN SYSTEM GETTING BETTER

Baron Says:
"We have one last game to prove our system. After this game, it's all marbles into one basket"

POST GAME SYNOPSIS

We played a highly aggressive team. They wanted to use the body. They wanted to play rough.

Their first goal was an unfortunate result of a bad change. A tired man came off, but not quick enough, and we couldn't control the area in our zone.

Our first goal was a great effort. Pass, shot, rebound, net. This was a textbook example of how we should have been playing.

Defense wise we were a lot better. We were clearing the ball when pressed, and preventing shots against our keeper...which is what we should be doing.

Offense wise we were doing well. They marked us, but we had a few quality shots.

We suffered two quick goals in the late second half. First goal was a bad cover by the defense. The second goal was more to do with Ross being sore from the injury incurred earlier on the second goal.

What also killed us was the fact that there were only two subs in the game. I'm not sure what happened, but needless to say their four subs ran us into the ground. Their advantage, they took it.

We played extremely well, and deserved the tie. Unfortunately such is the game of football.

LAST GAME of the REGULAR SEASON : RED

So it comes down to the second worst team in the league.

Our starting formation: 0-3-3

NOW...in playing this formation.
Two defenders (I don't care which ones) will stagger themselves back. That means one is less forward than the other. We guard the goalie with these two. On a corner kick, the defense should be ready to get the ball if it's coming out. But caution over the chance to score.

The other defender should be willing and ready to  join the attack. The attackers should be open, ready for passes and work together. The four should be a unit.

On the defense, the mid-fielders should move in as the opponents move in. If there are four opposing players in our zone, we bring two others in. No use in wasting a possible offensive if Ross gets the ball, or a defender boots it up.

Our priority will be to keep the ball out of our 18 area. However you do that...safely preferred. If that means booting it up, or out of bounds, do so. Don't be fancy. Be smart, be ready.

STATS:
Anders (G)

COACH's CORNER

SPARTANS PLAY BEST GAME OF THEIR SEASON

Baron Says:
"Winning doesn't necessarily mean that you played your best. Losing doesn't mean that you played your worst."

Game ReCap:

First Half we had lots of chances. We hit the crossbar and posts a couple of times. Their goalie wasn't really tested, but we did spend at least half the game in their end.

Their goal was a lucky pocket. But it was the only goal that we gave up, and it wasn't in the first five minutes either.

Second half we started slow but kept going. For the most part we had subs coming in and out, wearing their team down. More shots on net. Their goalie made a couple of great saves. More post and crossbar saves.

Their second goal was clearly a bad communication from the defense. It shouldn't have happened, but all we can do is learn from it.

Overall we challenged for possession, didn't give an inch, chased after the opposing players and gave it our best shot. Sometimes luck isn't on your side. We were the better team, no doubt about it.

OUR PLANS THIS GAME:

We keep with what went right last game. No changes.