Spartak 78 U14 'Reds' 6 v 1 Parkfield Youth U14

From the kick off, Spartak attacked and overwhelmed B division leaders, Parkfields Youth. It took just 5 minutes to open the scoring and having forced three corners in the first few minutes, Kieren Lock’s header was parried by the goalkeeper and as the ball ran loose, Hamish Ritchie hit the rebound into the net. The wide, flat pitch suited Spartak’s style of play and as they penned Parkfields in their own half they created many chances. Dan Procter and Ed Low dominated midfield, threading balls through to Hamish Ritchie, Dom Wilson, Terry Duck and George Powell. On 22 minutes, some great interpassing play by the entire Reds team was rewarded when Duck passed to Ritchie who ran down the left, cut inside and crossed for Procter to drill his shot into the bottom corner and record his first goal of the season. The game was effectively sealed on 29minutes when Low’s corner was punched into his own net by the Parkfields’ keeper. Parkfields, despite some good play, found it increasingly difficult to get out of their half and the Reds went further ahead just two minutes late when Low unleashed a shot from outside the box into the net. Territorially, the second half was more balanced. Parkfields put together some good attacks but could not find a way past the Reds solid defence of Clay, Mitchison, Gurung and Procter. A number of substitutions saw Kirk, Jafari, Kenyon, Hutchinson and Eady involved in the game. The reds continued to push forward and on 46 minutes, Clay took the ball on the halfway line and sped down the wing. As he cut inside, he lost the ball but won it back inside the penalty box and his shot increased the lead to 5. Parkfields battled on and won a free kick just outside the Reds’ penalty area. Their midfielder, Jake Baldry bent the direct kick around the wall and scored a consolation goal. But it was the Reds who continued to pressure and create chances. Sean Kirk and Terry Duck narrowly missed before the Reds won another corner. Ritchie headed the ball toward the goal but as it was scrambled clear, Jafari flicked the ball into the net to seal an emphatic victory for the Reds.

Priory Parkside U14 2 v 3 Spartak 78 U14 'Reds'

Following their recent retention of the Cambs FA League Cup, Spartak ’78 U14 ‘Reds’ added the League Championship to their trophy collection, on Sunday, 16th May. Having finished runners-up for the past two seasons, the Reds hoped they could go one better this season. Losing three matches in September to arch rivals and likely contenders: Histon, Huntingdon & Ramsey, certainly made the task more difficult but the lads showed great resilience as they stuck to the task. Unbeaten since October, the chase was certainly on. Histon had led the league for many weeks but as Huntingdon had many games in hand these teams became the targets. Having inflicted Huntingdon’s first loss of the season, they seemed to capitulate and went on to lose another two matches in the month, effectively ending their challenge. But, the Reds had to win their remaining matches to clinch the title.

The key match was against Histon. A draw would see Histon crowned champions, whereas, a win for Spartak would keep the dream alive. Despite falling behind early, the Reds dominated the game and a very well deserved and crushing 4-1 defeat of Histon, with goals from; Hutchinson, Wilson, Duck & Low, meant the Reds had to win their last two matches to win the title on goal difference. The penultimate match was conceded by Cherry Hinton and so it all hinged on the last match, away to Priory Parkside. Win and the Reds would finally be crowned Champions, draw or lose and the title would be Histon’s…………...

The Reds’ nerves were evident, both on and off the pitch! Priory’s small pitch suited their long ball game but despite having to contend with Priory’s long ball tactics, when the reds got the ball down onto terra firma, they began to play their trademark football and created a number of chances. As the chances slipped by, the nerves grew but they were calmed when Duck and Lock scored putting them into a two goal half-time lead. But Priory had not read the script and seemed more fired up in the second half. They pressured the Reds with the long ball and eventually scored from two disputed free kicks to level the score at 2-2. The League title was slipping away and if the season needed any more drama, this was it! With seven minutes remaining, the reds stepped up the pressure in search of a winning goal as the draw meant the Reds’ were lying third. But, a rousing finale was crowned when following an attack, Clays’ throw found Hutchinson who turned and thumped the ball home to put the Reds back on top. The match was eventually brought to an end, the ‘added on’ time seemed to last forever and there were a few ‘squeaky bums’ on and off the pitch!

By winning the match 3-2, three teams, Spartak, Histon & Huntingdon all finished on 49 points, and it was Spartak’s superior goal difference that finally saw them acclaim top spot and be crowned ‘League Champions’. A very successful season drew to a close - The League & Cup Double had been completed and the squad, comprising of: Clay, Duck, Eady, Gurung, Hutchinson, Jafari, Kenyon, Kirk, Lock, Low, Mitchison (capt), Pooley, Powell, Procter, Ritchie & Wilson should be rightly proud of themselves and their achievements this season.

And so they look ahead to next season as defending League Champions and seek to retain the League Cup for a third successive season.

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