It’s onwards and upwards for Scrabble

Espinoza’s four-goal salvo seals promotion for new boys

L’EQUIPE SCRABBLE FC

FOOTBALL RAY Abrahams saluted his Scrabble FC players after they became the first MGBSFL team to secure promotion this season following a 6-3 victory over L’Equipe.

Elliott Espinoza was the four-goal hero as they bounced back from last week’s defeat against Lions B to register their 17th win of the Division Two season. Zak McLeod and Anthony Goodmaker sealed the win on the day to remember for Abrahams.

He said: “We wanted a positive reaction today and the boys gave it. We were down to just 11 players as we were hit by more injuries late in the week, but I’m so proud of this performance which was important to us after the Lions game.

“With Raiders losing, I’m delighted that we have now secured promotion. It has been a great season for the club so far and our next target is obviously the title.”

Espinoza scored the first two goals before L’Equipe pulled one back on the stroke of half-time. Espinoza completed his hat-trick early in the second half, following good work from Josh Flax, before a speculative effort from Goodmaker made it 4-1.

L’Equipe, for whom Mark Smith (2) and Rob Simmons registered, continued to battle, but a fourth from Espinoza and the goal of the game from McLeod — a stunning strike from the half-way line which sparked scenes of wild celebration.

Abrahams said: “We need seven more points from four games now and for this club to have achieved so much in its first season back is fantastic.

“The players deserve all the credit for coming through a tough game against a big physical side. I don’t like singling out individual but Espinoza really turned it on for us when it mattered.”

Scrabble celebrate