Double derby day - London Colney Colts Under 9 Blues ??v ??London Colney Youth Under 9 Lions
It was a double derby day for Colts under 9s with both teams playing a 10:30 kick off with reversed fixtures so we could play at Beaumont due to heavy rain on the grass pitches at Colney Youth Cotlandswick.
The Blues George used to play for the Lions and when added with the loss when we met early this season the Blues came into today eager to put the score right. Also coming into play is the continued improvement in concentration during training.
The Colts dominated the first half early on with lots of possession. When the Lions did get chances the Blues defended well and Jonas made some great saves.
The first goal came after ten minutes. A Colts corner was saved, Henry stayed alert remembering not to turn his back while retreating for the goalies drop kick. The ball landed not far from half way and Henry controlling the ball well, turning inside the defender with a deft first touch before getting his head up to set himself up for a piledriver into the top right hand corner.
10m: ??Henry ??1-0??
The boys felt the belief in what they could do. The next opportunity came minutes later and they grabbed it. The Lions had the ball in our half and there were a few battles to free it, first Arthur then Elliot Henry and finally Alby was able to get it on a long pass to Oscar who was waiting in midfield. Oscar ran forward with it for a 1:1 with the goalie with the defender trailing behind him. As the goalie came out to meet him some great decision making from Oscar as he has to take the shot there, he struck it past the goalie to double our lead.
12m: ??Oscar (Alby assist)
??2-0??
Some lapses in concentration allowed Lions to capitalise with a goal. A deflected shot looping over Jonas's head in goal. Certainly a lucky break for the Lions
14m: ?? ??2-1??
The errors leading to the goal against them played a little on the minds of the Colts but we were proud to see they kept their heads up and didn’t let it affect them.
There followed some good defending from Arthur when the Lions made another run at goal and Arthur cleared it just before a shot at the clear goal, this ensured we ended the first half ahead.
HT ??2-1??
The start of the second half had us a little worried as Lions took possession and got a shot on goal. Fortunately after a brief moment of celebration from the Lions the goal was disallowed by the ref as it has in fact passed through the side of the net. The lions kept then pressure on with three corners. The third corner went too long and Sufyan came powering out of the wings to collect it bringing it forward and getting it through two defenders. Two pass to Oscar who got it to Alby who powered it from outside the box over the heads of defenders and out of reach of the goalie in the top bin. A super stike again from the young colt.
31m: ??Alby (Oscar assist) ??3-1??
The Lions kept the pressure on with Jonas using all his goalie training to make another excellent save.
There was a great wild card shot from Henry who caught a pass coming out from the Lions half and lifted it with a hard kick straight at their goal from long range. It bounced just outside the line before the goalie got control of it!
Henry didn’t have to wait long for his next goal to go over the line 2 minutes later. The Lions had a free kick in their own half which Elliot managed to intercept and get to Alby who got it up to the Lions box. In almost an exact repetition of the set up minutes earlier a defender cleared it out of the Lions box where Henry was waiting for a long range shot which this time went straight into the top corner. No saving that one.
33m: ??Henry
??4-1??
The next ten minutes continued with Colts dominating with strong defence, midfield and attack.
The Lions kept the pressure on throughout and won a penalty in the last 5 minutes.
45m: ?? penalty
??4-2??
The Lions kept the pressure on throughout and proved good opponents with chances at the end to recover the scoreline. In the final push Arthur managed to clear the ball from our half with a long pass to Oscar in the Lions half. Oscar ran with the ball with no defender catching him. Going for one of the boys favourites the nutmeg through the goalies legs hit the post, some more fabulous decision making from Oscar he followed up while the goalie and defender were still out of goal and scored the final goal.
48m: ?? Oscar (Arthur assist) ??5-2??
FT ??5-2??
A brilliant game today for the Colts in their derby against good opposition. We only had one sub today due to half term but that seemed to help the boys focus on the task in front of them and their positions. Some good concentration today from boys in all positions with good defence, great saves by our goal keeper, fantastic midfielders creating chances and scoring and our unstoppable striker. Hopefully the boys see what dedication and concentration in training and matches delivers and keep this up week on week. Come on you Colts.
Player of the match - Henry Trainer of the week - Sufyan
