Spencer at home, Prem - 18 Nov 2006
A bright Autumn day greeted the two side to Sandilands, but the Purley form was far from bright as Spencer stormed to a 5-0 lead within 15 minutes. Where Purley were lacklustre and unfocused, Spencer were aggressive and decisive, and thoroughly deserved their lead. However this Purley side isn't one to give up easily, and a period of sustained possession at the end of the quarter allowed Matt Payne to score a crucial goal to get Purley off the mark, and take the quarter time score to 1-5.
The break allowed Purley to regroup, and in the second quarter they looked like a different side. Strong, organised defence stemmed the tide of Spencer goals, and controlled, patient attack allowed Purley to claw their way back, and finally take the lead 6-5 going into half-time.
Purley scored early in the third to give them 7 goals without reply, but Spencer weren't done and kept the pressure on, and two more goals saw them level the scores 7-7 at three quarter time to set up a tense finale.
In close games the first goal in the final quarter is often decisive. Purley started well with a period of pressure, and Matt Payne topped a fine performance with a solo goal to give Purley a vital 8-7 lead. From the next face off Ian Nesbitt won the ball from the wing, dodged a take out, ran up the field and placed the ball past the keeper from just within the restraining line to give the Purple and Gold an even more comfortable margin. Purley continued to control the ball, building up an 11-7 advantage, before Spencer pulled one back to 11-8 to make the last few minutes interesting, but a goal from Mike Barrett sealed the tie with a final score of 12-8.
Thanks to ref Simon Peach.
Goals: Matt Payne 3, Jamie Tasko 3, Mike Barrett 3, Jesse O'Hanley 2, Ian Nesbitt 1
Photos by Steve Cluney.