Spartans eyeing revenge victory over Romans
THE Halton Spartans are now at the mid-season point in the BAFA National Leagues NFCII West Conference, having played five of the 10-game regular season.
The Spartans are sitting third in the standings having won three games and lost two.
Two teams from each conference will progress to post-season football, and it looks to be a race between the Leeds Bobcats, Chester Romans and Spartans for those spots.
In only their second year in the BAFA National Leagues the Spartans can take a lot of positives from their first five games. The season started very brightly with a 34-12 win at the Crewe Railroaders before coming unstuck in back to back losses, first at home to Leeds Bobcats 26-8 and then away to Chester Romans 52-0.
Following the two defeats the Spartans regrouped showing some great reliance and spirit in beating the Railroaders at home 53-10 and Walney Terriers 59-0.
The Spartans look to have put their defeats behind them, and the team his hit a rich vein of form. Both the offence and defence have clicked, and are executing their plays very well.
The focus now changes to the Spartans’ second of three games against their closest rivals the Chester Romans.
The teams are locking horns this Sunday at Cheshire County Sports Club. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and admission is free of charge.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s showdown, Spartans’ head coach, Ian Beattie, said: “I have taken a lot of positives from our first five games.
“It’s clear it took the team a little while to gel and understand our 2016 playbook, but I feel we are now showing our full potential.
“We are working well on both sides of the ball, and there is a real air of confidence in the camp. Chester away on Sunday is going to be a real tough game, and providing we play with confidence and composure, and execute our plays like I know we can, then I am hopeful we can come away with the win.”