A Horse, a Horse a football pitch for my horse. Management arrived early to the Showground on this beautiful day for football to be met by a paddock full of horses. A breakdown in communication saw the showground full to bursting of Horses and spectators. Unbeknown there was to be no games at home this week. Having slid their way top pitch side a decision was taken to move the game to Frankwell. Luckily the Opposition manager had attended early so he could tell his team to divert.
A frantic set of messages and phone calls resulted in a convey to Frankwell. The drama was not finished yet. Jumpers for Goalposts anyone? The Goals were too big for this age group and there was no pitch marked out.
In true Colts team spirit a pitch was soon marked out, goals put up and the snack table set up for business. A big thank you to all those who made this game happen. A great display of this family club. One in, all in. It took some time to wonder why the Parents looked so anxious. As the day unfolded, it became clear that there had been a lack of pound coins and some had not paid for parking!!!
Before kick off there was a press call as Lee Blower, the Colts Sponsor had arrived for a photo with the squad. The Colts were quick to say thank you and squinting into the sum assembled with a smile for the camera.
So enough of this now, we had a match to play.
Colts started brightly and were not horsing around. They set off at a canter and were soon hitting the barn door with a great finish from Ryan. Picking the ball up, he smashed into in the ‘top bins’ right in the top left of the goal (too big remember!!!). A great start. Straight out of the starting gate and leading within the first furlong. 1-0
Freddie had started in goal and made some great saves early on and with some big kicks forward set Finn off down the right wing. Finn had two similar runs in quick succession and hit the post with one and forced a great save from the keeper with the other. Maybe a cross could have set up Ryan who had made a great run up field.
A break of the ball and with the Colts having gallopped upfield Whitchurch were in to make it 1-1.
Finn continued to trot up the line and Ryan kept shooting with good support from Jack and Will.
The Colts had to be careful they did not get caught on the break here having survived Whitchurch breaking through one on one. Freddie was able to save well to keep them, neck and neck.
Jack was playing further forward and looked like he had been given a sugar lump as he drove forward. His great pressure on the ball and clever pass put Finn in to slot home. 2-1. This had been set up after Ryan had jockeyed into a gret position to win a strong tackle.
Freddie kept goal brilliantly and was quick out of his box to clear the danger. It was one of the rare times that Matthew had been beaten as he remained accomplished in defence.
Jack led the line well in what was a strong quarter for the Colts. They were not running lame and the coaches had not gone horse from shouting at them.
Into the second quarter and Cole was now holding the reigns in defence which left Matty free to pick up the ball, trot forward and smash it home 3-1.
Will, never one to play with a long face played a lovely pass forward into George, now securley back in the saddle on the wing he gave the ball back to Will who chipped one goal wards, only to see it saved by a competent Whitchurch keeper. This lad was at least 12 hands tall and would have carried a heavy handicap if he was let loose out of goal.
Matty was leading the line and soon made it 3-1 with a tidy finish. Will made it 4-1 having been played in by George. A couple of quick goals soon changed the odds of this game and Colts now had to be a favorite to take the 3 points. Evens would be the best odds on this one.
Cole was sliding about making some great tackles, one in particular was last ditch and was appreciated by all watching from the grandstand.
George was strong on the ball and may have felt aggrieved when his strong shielding resulted in a freekick the other way. Be interesting to see what a stewards enquiry made of that one.
Matty soon made it 5-1 with a nice dribble and finish. A lovely hat trick.
The Colts were playing some great football again and some smart saves from James kept them in it.
Now into the third quarter and Jack had his shooting boots on but saw his shot saved. Freddie was now unleashed outfield and made some great passes. As Ryan continued to run clsoe to the rail down the line. Another quick break from Whitchurch saw them score to make it 5-2.
Matthew made some strong saves before the Colts conceded again to make it 5-3. The Colts were in no way past the finishing post yet and Whitchurch were finishing strong as they rounded the last bend.
Now into the final furlong, George was strong in the tackle and was again disappointed to see a foal go unpunished. He was soon smiling again and made it 6-3. James made it 7-3 with a lovely finish before George made it 8-3.
Matty got his fourth to bring the game to 9-3 with George taking the Colts over the line by a clear neck in front to round it off at 10-3.
The Colts were pleased to win this one and rightly so. They had played brilliantly.
They were already eying up next week against the SAHA RAPTORS, the Colts neigh-bours.
Match Highlights
1.Finn galloping down the wing
2.Freddie pulling the reigns from goal
3.Matthew jumping to win a header
4.Cole defending from point to point
5.Jack mucking in with some big tackles
6.Matty cleaning up at the bookies with 4 goals
7.George waiting on his stewards enquiry
8.Ryan turning their defenders into glue
9.Will’s chipped shot which did not need a burger
10.James playing above his aged handicap
Things to work on for next week
Keeping it tight at the back
FINN
Some great wing play. Needs to think about crossing at times but pleased to get back on the score sheet.
This weeks reported was written by some of the Jockeys players, in part to stop them horsing around on the touchline.
