Thursday 2nd September 2010
Sparta Nottingham 2 - 3 Market Warsop
Team: Kim J, Kate P, Becky T, Becca W, Sheena, Pom, Nina, Sara, Kim C, Mim, Jo H
Subs Used: Kendra, Monika
Subs Not Used: Claire
Subs Went Walkabout: Helen, Katie

Headlines: What a palava!

This was a very crucial match for the Spartans and it was another game we should have won!

Sparta kicked the match off and dominated possession for the majority of the first half, the only chances Market Harborough got were when they hit us on the break, watching Sparta these days is like watching Brazil!

Market Harborough scored a goal against the run of play which was extremely disappointing, however, some wise words from our Captain Becky and Mim revved the Spartans up and we attacked and attacked and attacked until we won a free kick 40 yards from goal. Up stepped our new signing (all the way from Billsthorpe) Becca Ward, taking a peach of a free kick into the danger area the keeper saved the first attempt from Mim and Sara grabbed the rebound! Come on you Spartans! 1-1!

Sparta pressed and pressed and within minutes we had taken the lead from a lovely Mim Selby goal! It looked like it was going to be our night!

After 20 minutes goalscorer Sara was subbed for Kara. Kara came on and worked her magic in the centre of midfield, got stuck in and had the opportunity to bag herself a couple of goals. However it wasn't meant to be.

Sparta entered the halftime leading by 2 goals to 1.

Second half Sparta were on fire, pressing and pressing the Market Harborough defence, who began bickering with each other! We had many opportunities to put the game beyond Harborough's reach but their keeper was on form!

Packer unfortunately picked up a back / knee / hip injury so Kendra came on in her place and did very well.

A dirty tackle by the Harborough left back (studs showing and all that) forced our star right back Vickers to an early bath! On came our international signing for the season Monika Langer all the way from New Basford (but originally from Polland).

Nina Best or should I say "The Biggest Drama Queen with a Capital D" managed to stop the game due to bad cramp - seriously, anyone would have though she'd been shot the way she was yelping!

Steel City managed to scored 2 more goals and win the match! Which is a dirty shame, especially when Sparta played so well!

Well played Spartans - everyone did so well! Let's hope we have a bit of guidance from the sideline for our next match, this is what we are lacking big time! We could have won our last 2 matches!

Goodnight and godbless...

Wednesday 25th August 2010
Steel City Wanderers 1 - 0 Sparta Nottingham
Team: Kim J, Kate P, Becca W, Becky T, Sheena, Pom, Nina, Sara, Kim C, Mim, Jo H
Subs Used: Katie, Kendra
Sub Not Used: Helen

The match preparations started in style with a delightful journey to rainy Sheffield in the back of Kendra's car!

A pre-match warm-up of sausage and chips seemed to go down a treat for Sara (I think that's the only sausage she will be munching on for a while)!!

Anyway unfortunately our Manager Steve was away on a bit of business, which before you ask, is non of yours, so in stepped Assistant Manager Helen Vanderson to deliver the team talk and go through Steve's selection. This went down a treat.

Steel City started the game strong and were strong into the tackle. They constantly attacked Sparta, however, Sparta dug in and defended like professionals from front to back.

Sparta soaked up the pressure and survived numerous Steel City corners, with phenomenal defending from our Captain Becky, Our new signing Becca Ward and even Nina Best got herself in da mix...

Sparta had opportunities themselves, with Kim outskilling the Steel City left back and linking up very well with Sara. Mim went close on a few occasions, so too Hackett and even Pom had an opportunity to fire Sparta ahead, unfortunately someone had reduced the height of the goal overnight and her shot flew over the bar!

Sparta went into the halftime break 0-0.

Second half, was pretty much the same as the first, Sara got a slight knock so on came Katie to cover in midfield and Kendra came on for Packer at left back.

A wonder strike from outside the area put Steel City 1-0 up.

Sparta could have drew level but their keeper made a couple of good saves to prevent us.

The game finished 1-0 to Steel City and Sparta were quite unfortunate again not to get anything out of the game.

Would just like to mention some special partnerships blossoming on the pitch:

Packer and Pom - good understand on the left, loving your style girl friens...
Sheena and Kim - outstanding link ups on the right, you got it goin' on...
The two Becky's - Solid performance in centre defence - man you two is good!
Nina and Sarah / Hackett - Very nice relationship forming amongst the three of you no matter which one of you slots in to play with Nina.
Mim and Sara / Hackett - again - very good understanding nice flicks, good movement off the ball - an all round pleasure to watch.
Kim J - Fantastic saves - as always!
Kim and Sara - Great understanding - would love Sara to stop with us so this partnership can continue.
Kendra and Nip got stuck in too when they came on.

Well done everyone! If we continue to play as well has we have started we will do well this season.

Sunday 22nd August 2010
OOH Lincoln Development 2 - 1 Sparta Nottingham
Team: Kim J, Kate P, Becky T, Kendra, Sheena, Pom, Nina, Jo H, Kim C, Mim, Kara
Subs Used: Sara, Katie
Sub Not Used: Steph
Goalscorer: Mim
Player of Match: Nina

A sublime performance on the opening day of the football season saw Sparta unfortunate to come away without any points.

Slightly nervous at the prospect of playing a very young team Sparta managed to put these nerves to one side and matched OOH Lincoln in every aspect of the game.

Sparta dominated large chunks of the match and a new partnership was formed in the centre of midfield with Jo H and Nina dominating the majority of the play.

Just as Sparta were looking more likely to score the first goal a controversial decision by the referee saw Hackett substituted after only 15 mins. Her replacement Sara Gingell filled Hackett's boots impressively well and linked up beautifully with Nina and Kim in the midfield patch.

Sparta were rewarded with a well deserved goal when Mim scored a spectacular goal from outside the box!

Sparta continued to ask all the questions and it was only the keeper / post / bar that kept Lincoln in the game.

Sparta went into halftime a goal to the good.

Second half Lincoln scored a flukey goal against the run of play and were back in the game.

Steve brought on Katie McCrorie in centre midfield which saw Sara take Kara's position upfront.

Sparta could not convert any efforts they had and were punished when Lincoln scored another lucky goal.

Final score 2-1 to Lincoln.

Great performance by everyone - we were very unucky to lose this match!