The Vanloq Community Stadium, Spartans FC: Supporting Spartans Community Foundation

Our seventh charity match took us to The Vanloq Community Stadium, home of Spartans FC. Right on cue, the clouds cleared before kick off and the sun came out. We seem to have a habit of picking great weather for these games. This match also helped raise £906.25 for the Spartans Community Foundation, a brilliant total for a cause that supports so many people in the local area.

Once again the game delivered everything we have come to expect from these fixtures. End to end football, plenty of goals, and a brilliant effort from both teams.

First Half

The Blues started brightly and were unlucky not to take an early lead. Boggie struck the post, then a few minutes later Barrett hit the opposite post with an effort that rolled agonisingly across goal.

The breakthrough came soon after. Cairns picked out Barrett inside the box, who passed the ball into the bottom corner for 1-0. Five minutes later it was 2-0. MacIntosh drove past two defenders and cut the ball back for Boggie to fire home.

The Yellows fought back just before the break. A ball to the back post from Daz Cain caused confusion and Sneddon reacted quickest to pull one back. That made it 2-1 at half time.

Second Half

The Yellows made a flying start. Straight from kick off they put together a slick passing move. A deflected interception fell to Simpson, who rifled a shot across the keeper into the far corner for 2-2. Moments later they took the lead. Sneddon cut the ball back and Simpson produced a sublime chip over the keeper for 3-2.

The Blues regrouped and equalised soon after. A cross into the box took a deflection off Barrett and fell for Boggie, who smashed it into the top corner for 3-3. Momentum then swung firmly to the Blues. Cairns delivered a pinpoint corner for Otway, who rose highest to head it home for 4-3.

The lead grew when Dickens drove down the left and cut the ball back for Cairns, who skipped past a couple of defenders and finished well for 5-3. With ten minutes to go we saw some brotherly link up. Kyle Boggie set up Mark Boggie, who slotted into the bottom corner with his left foot for 6-3.

The Yellows kept pushing and forced Brown into some brilliant point blank saves. They pulled one back late on when Sneddon kept a ball in play that looked certain to go out, teeing up Andy Hamilton to finish from close range for 6-4.

Another thrilling game with goals, drama, and plenty of talking points.

Fun Facts

🔹 Craig Darge has still never beaten Chris Malone in a football game, a record stretching back around 30 years.

🔹 Barry Chambers has now lost all seven of his appearances. Alex Cameron is closing in with five defeats from five.

🔹 Andy Hamilton has scored in all four of his Samba games.

🔹 Jonny McGraw and David Donald saw their 100 percent attendance records end.

🔹 Mark Boggie made his Samba debut.

Highlight of the Match

Robbie Simpson’s delicate chip into the top corner was pure class.

Amount Raised: £906.52

SQUADS

SAMBA YELLOW Craig Darge's Team

Daz Cain 🅰

Alex Cameron

Barry Chambers

Craig Darge

James Ebbs (GK)

Andy Hamilton ⚽

Darren Rintoul

Richard Rintoul

Craig Robertson

Robbie Simpson ⚽⚽

Marc Skinner

Calum Sneddon ⚽🅰🅰🏆

Scott Thomson

SAMBA BLUE

Chris Malone’s Team

Kyle Barrett ⚽🅰

Kyle Boggie ⚽⚽🅰

Mark Boggie ⚽

Calum Brockway

Ross Brown

Johnny Cairns ⚽🅰🅰

Stuart Chambers

Joe Dickens 🅰

Gus Klavin

James Lothian

Craig MacIntosh 🅰

Chris Malone

Paul McPherson

Dirk Otway ⚽