MKDDL U15 Division 1
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Linslade Galaxy U15 Spartak 1 v 2 Northampton GLK United U15 Red
Northampton GLK United U15 Red 3 v 1 Linslade Galaxy U15 Spartak

In dry but chilly conditions Spartak welcomed Northampton GLK to Linslade for a fixture double header (to ensure all league fixtures are completed in time). Spartak had edged GLK 2-0 in their recent cup match, so were aware of the dangers of the visiting side, but were still hopeful of gaining six points in one morning. In the end it was Northampton GLK who took all six points in a seriously underpar display from Spartak.

The first half of the first match was no indication of what was to follow. Spartak passed the ball crisply and created several chances. Unfortunately the next two halves were Linslade's undoing and whilst they improved a little for the final half the damage had already been done and Galaxy suffered quick fire back to back defeats.

FIRST MATCH
Despite early Spartak dominance the first clear chance went to Northampton when an excellent cross came in from the right but the attacker headed over. Then, just one minute after Charlie's shot was deflected onto the crossbar, the crowd was left in awe at a wonder strike from the GLK midfielder after he skipped past two players and crashed the ball home from 25 yards.

This goal, however, did not put off Linslade and then continued to press forward positively. In one move Theo ran through to collect the ball but his diagonal shot from 15 yards was fired wide.

Then, just a few seconds later Matthew brought down the GLK goal kick, passed to Dylan, who then passed across to Charlie who calmly slotted the ball home from the edge of the box to bring the scores level.

At the end of the first half Matthew did well to create the space for a shot but could not get the bend needed and it went wide right of the post.

This left the score level at the break. Unfortunately, the second half became a much more scrappy affair with chances for both sides very limited and Galaxy not helping themselves by losing the ball in dangerous positions.

On the 10-minute mark Theo jinked his way through defenders but the keeper did well to come out and smother the shot.

Northampton built into the half as it progressed and began to dominate. After 18 minutes there was a lovely move from the away side and as the ball came in the striker was sure to score but he headed wide. A minute later they attacked again with another cross from the right that was headed over.

However, this visitor pressure inevitably paid dividends. From a corner Thomas did fantastically to push one effort onto the crossbar but GLK were on hand to poke home to retake the lead.

In the end Northampton deserved the win as they showed more desire and Spartak resorted to long balls. Whilst this defeat effectively ends Spartak's hopes to win the league at least this double header provided an immediate opportunity to bounce back.

SECOND MATCH

In the event it was Northampton that started the second match on the front foot, clearly buoyed by their earlier victory. By half-time Spartak were three-nil down due to a series of calamitous defensive errors.

After three minutes the ball was crossed into the box and Spartak ended up in a mess as everyone left the ball for someone else and Northampton had the simplest chance to score from 4 yards.

Midway through the half Blake handballed on the line and this gave GLK a chance to double their lead. They duly made it 2-0 with a well slotted penalty to the right.

Not long after another defensive mistake led to a GLK striker running through and slotting the ball under Thomas's dive.

As these were shortened 25-minute half matches this 3-0 lead was an impossibly high mountain to climb to get anything out of the game, especially as GLK were defending well. Matthew's long-range free-kicks were the highlight of the second half with his first beautifully curled around the wall but striking the post, and his second a piledriver that no one could stop as it made its way into the goal through a crowded six-yard box.

In the end Northampton deservedly came away with all six points. Spartak can now focus on the County Cup semi-final next week-end against Kempston Rovers, but they know they will have to improve markedly if they want to make it two County Cup final appearances in a row.