Spaull hits hat-trick as Sports cruise to victory

Sports consolidated third place in Division One West with Saturday’s comprehensive victory at Addison Road.

Sam Grant broke the deadlock after the Woodstock defence were unable to clear and Sports were soon 2-0 up moments later. Andrew Stidder outpaced the full-back and his cross was flicked on by Craig Robinson to the far post where Spaull slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

Sports threatened with every attack as they shifted the ball around well. At times the visitors struggled to get into the game and before they had a chance to threaten Jack Goode’s goal they were another goal down.

Spaull was again on hand to finish off another well worked move. Craig Robinson was thwarted but the ball fell kindly into Spaull’s path and his side-foot finish beat the keeper.

In the closing stages of the half Grant grabbed his second goal with a fine turn and swivel at the near post to shoot under the keeper.

Manager Phil Lines threw on Craig Pearman, Durrell Livious and Tom Smith to freshen things up in the second half.

Josh Northam should have netted just after the restart but the ball skidded past him and Stidder took advantage to score. Spaull completed his hat-trick with a low drive after Stidder turned provider.

Smith was next to get on the score sheet with his first senior goal, firing home from 25 yards.

Old Woodstock reduced the arrears through Patrick Beckford after he rounded off a fine move from the edge of the box. Robinson’s fine solo run was finished off with a shot that squeezed under the keeper before Stidder bagged his second goal following more unselfish play from Northam.