This week Spencer, the team not the French one, found themselves in East Grinstead after a long arduous journey by road.
After a run of good form another win was required to stay on course and East Grinstead, having the quality to cement a high ranking this season, were not ready to give up the points without a fight.
At 2pm the 5-a-siders left and at 2.05pm a new look Spencer (not the first, or the last time, we are likely to hear that this season) took to the field.
Spencer attacked the first quarter like a German Panzer division, breaking through the enemies defences and registering 6 goals in the first 20 minutes. The attack of Rob ‘I’m just nipping out to Australia for some milk, see you in 3 weeks’ Holmes, Will ‘Subscription to I sting corners quarterly’ Walker and Tim ‘lots of assists, fewer catches’ Holdsworth combining well to create and contribute to the early tally of 6 goals for 1 reply.
In the second quarter the clouds swept over, the heavens opened and by some divine intervention East Grinstead quadrupled their goal tally to 4. However through some fantastic face-off play by James ‘flexes naked in the shower’ Mearns, in for the unavailable Gabe ‘my education and future happiness is more important than an away day to East Grinstead’ Barrie, Spencer were able reply with 5 goals and finish the half 11-4.
At this stage EG certainly had their tails up and without the presence of inspirational Manager Tom ‘Saturday Facebook sesh in the library’ Bailey, Spencer couldn’t fully regain control and the 3rd quarter went back and forth like a Jonny Clarke minesweeping session.
Providing the legs in midfield Rick ‘short stick D master class’ Topham, Cam ’18th Birthday party tonight so need to rush home to set up giant Jenga’ Leslie and Sam ‘doesn’t wear own kit, doesn’t use own stick, scores 6’ Davidson all made sure the wheels of the Spencer machine continued to roll on. The quarter score left honours shared at 3-3 and 14-7 overall.
The final quarter returned to a more controlled display from the Mighty Sparrows and the defence of Alan ‘lacrosse in a box’ Keeley, Will ‘didn’t get an invite to Cams party’ Clarke, Tom ‘can I haz goal?’ Leahy and Jonny ‘I haz goal’ Clarke did well to only concede a solitary goal for a 3 reply at the other end.
The lynch pin of this defensive turn around as ever was the consistent performance of Rick ‘why are all my poles in attack?’ Bone, who’s new addition to the family was the attention grabber of the day.
The final score finished 17-8 to the good and Spencer headed back London in good spirits. Next week Purley visit the Fieldview Stadium for the second home game of the season (and a new look Spencer team).