Today was a good day for Farndon Colts Under 11s...but it could have been so different.
We welcomed Archie back from injury, so we had a full squad available. However, we knew that Grove Rangers would be up for this game and there was a fear from the coaches that some complacency might creep in to the Colts' mentality after 4 straight wins. That fear proved to be well founded in the first half but, after half time, the boys reacted exactly as we hoped.
The game started with Grove chasing everything down quickly and the Colts' trademark passing football was stifled. As a result the players all took it upon themselves to change their style and began running with the ball, taking people on when there were passing options available and generally dwelling on the ball where they didn't need to. The Colts got the first goal through James Scott, and possibly against the run of play, although it came from the first piece of proper passing football that they'd performed - slick, fast and allowing the opposition no time to work out where the ball would go next. At half time, it was 1-0 to the Colts but the manner of play up to that point had not been the best.
Will ended up making 7 saves from Grove's shots on target during the game and was probably unfortunate with their goal. It came half way through the second half and, at that point, Grove were going through a purple patch and it began to look as though they would be the only ones capable of taking the points. We know the character that this team (with a capital 'T') can show, though. They were clearly galvanised by the thought that points could be dropped and finally the passing football arrived, with everything clicking into place.
It was probably a little unfair on Grove, in the end, but 3 goals followed for the Colts in the final 10 minutes of play. Dylan set up Tom for a great goal in the 52nd minute and Max struck a superb solo effort 6 minutes later. The points were wrapped up by James Scott with his 13th goal in 5 games (!)after good work by Max to set him up just as we entered injury time.
Jake and Ben both showed some nice touches on the ball and Jake's confidence and belief that he can do more than just belt the ball forwards is growing game by game. Henry and James Wilson put in a full shift and Tom really sweated for the cause again. Archie and Xander were solid rocks in defence and their understanding continues to grow.
A mixed game of positives and negatives but the positives won out in the end. The result was great, but it could have been so much easier if the boys hadn't been panicked out of their passing game in the first half. That is to Grove Rangers' credit - they have developed into a very good passing team and have some invention and some pace. They can dominate play at the moment but can't pull the trigger in front of goal (they had 8 shots on target today), although our defenders didn't make it easy for them. However, if they continue to play like that, it will come.
The big positives today are that Farndon Colts showed a real spirit that will stand them in good stead when they come under the cosh again and they go into the short Autumn break at the top of the table with a 100% record. Let's start the next game like we finished this one.
