Tough Start

[Grauniad]

This DMD map has been a thorn in my side for a while now. I can *almost* make it, but around 10-11 minutes in, the tow spore towers' firing cycles synchronize and the resultant 11 spores is more than my meager defenses can cope with. I see only two recorded scores on this map. It's akin to the old Waternaris (now preserves in my Alpha sector maps).

Any forum regular with some advice on a good starting position?

[Helper]

I'm getting a couple of screen grabs for you. Started this a few days ago and couldn't get the start I wanted.
More in a few minutes.

[Helper]

I have a couple of more after these, but here's a start:

EDIT - oops! The first two are out of order.

[Grauniad]

Definitely a lot more aggressive than my turtling strategy. Thanks, will try being more pushy next time.

[icanfly]

I used the ore mine to the left from the beginning, that worked allright, but I tried to get the northen one as well and got almost spore crushed at the 11 min mark.
Thankfully my sprayer was just in the right spot ;D
After terp-ing a defence wall I got revenge on the spore towers. From there it was easy.