Sinton salvages draw for Legends

Andy Sinton rattled in an 87th minute equaliser, completing his latest hat-trick in doing so, as the Spurs Legends team drew 4-4 at Cranfield United FC on Sunday (May 4).

The midfielder, who has now registered five trebles for the Legends team in just over 13 months, was joined on the scoresheet by Garry Brooke as the ex-White Hart Lane favourites met strong opposition in Bedfordshire.

The veterans side traded chances with their opponents – a team of Spurs fans of all ages calling themselves ‘The Boys From The Shelf’ – before Sinton volleyed over the bar following an energetic left wing run and cross by David Howells.

The Legends took the upper hand on nine minutes when Sinton controlled a high ball over the top on his chest before guiding the ball beyond the goalkeeper with his outstretched right foot.

The lead lasted less than two minutes, however, as Liam Fry scored from the spot after Brian Statham was adjudged to have fouled his marker in the penalty box.

Goalkeeper Gareth Howells was a busy man, making several saves as the first half went on – the hosts even had the ball in the net just beyond the half-hour mark, but the off-side flag came to the Legends’ rescue.

Stephen Clemence curled a free-kick into the side-netting at the other end before lofting a perfectly-weighted ball in to Sinton, but the latter steered his shot the wrong side of the far upright.

The Legends knew they still had work to do at the break, but the second half got off to an ideal start when Brooke delivered a low right-footed shot into the corner of the net from 20 yards out within two minutes of the resumption.

But The Boys From The Shelf hit back six minutes later when the ball ricocheted into the path of the onrushing Jack Thompson after a fast-paced counter-attack, the team’s skipper sweeping the ball beyond the reach of keeper Howells to restore parity.

Neither side appeared ready to surrender and it was the Legends who went ahead for a third time on the hour mark when Sinton converted from the penalty spot after a defender handled substitute Micky Jarrett’s header on the goal line.

Back came the hosts once again, Fry firing across goal and into the corner after an attack down the right to make it 3-3, with keeper Howells forced to make two marvellous saves in the ensuing moments as the Legends’ opponents pressed forward.

Between those chances, Steve Slade was off target with a header from Sinton’s cross – but it wasn’t long before the hosts turned the game in their favour, Lee Farmer finishing off a swift break in the 85th minute to put his side ahead for the first time.

But with The Boys From The Shelf keen to see out the closing minutes with their lead intact, the Legends charged forward once more and got their reward for a hard afternoon’s graft with an 87th minute equaliser. Slade held up Jarrett’s cross from the right and ferried the ball into the path of Sinton via Micky Southam, Sinton composing himself before lashing high into the net to make it 4-4.

The Legends almost won it in the final minute – Brooke’s speculative dipping shot beat the goalkeeper but smacked off the crossbar, with Slade heading wide from the rebound.