Spartinios Wanderers v Johnstone Burugh

A beautiful day in Newton Mearns, yes you heard that right, a home game in our home vicinity 😁 ... and what a game it was!

Wanderers started exceptionally strong with 3 early chances through closing down their players, high tempo, and execution of great decisions regarding through balls... the 3rd chance being a Monaghan low-driven ball from wide left across the 6-yard box, and after a 30 yard sprint in anticipation, converted exquisitely by Peter!

The game evened out for a spell as JB came more into it... a hopeful ball over the top was nodded over the oncoming Oliver's head to then be tapped in by the (likely offside 👀🫣🤷‍♂️) striker.

With continued pressure, JB took the lead with another avoidable goal before half time; which coaches will look at for training.

While some incredible attacking play in the first half, the half time team talk demanded better marking and each player 'winning their battle'... and boy did they!

The work rate, teamwork, togetherness and quality of play that followed was superb....

Winning possession in our own half, a tactically astute ball into the right wing space was met by Peter, who took the ball beautifully on his right and turned past the defender into the box, only to be brought down for PK. Peter dusted himself off and confidently and powerfully drove the ball with his laces right by the keeper.

Shortly afterwards, another superb through ball and shot on target was parried by GK then quickly pounced on by Ash to fire home with absolute intention to take back the lead.

As is often the case in these situations, JB put pressure on for the last 10 minutes, but could not break the determined and voracious Spartinios who, to a man, tackled, blocked and cleared every advance.

In between times, we managed another few chances to finish the game by sheer determination and anticipation from Rory, in particular an incredible strike from 16 yards out left, battered off the inside of the post and unlucky not to give us the cushion; although in the end, we didnt need it!

Another incredible team performance with a few standouts from Peter - quick feet, agility and directness for goals, Oliver S - all over pitch again and attacking minded passes forwards, to Nico who stepped up superbly (after late call off from an injured Blair) and broke up a significant number of attacks💪🏼🩵, then our coaches award for an exhausted Rory who not only created his own opportunities by sheer determination, but continued to close down, press defence and even chasing back into his own box to help secure the victory. This is also on the back of a quality performance last week too... we know the goals will come to reward the desire 🩵

Happy Saturday everyone 😁