It’s often been asked, “what do they feed them in the country?” Well today the Colts got the answer, nothing special but they play football in Goose poo……… Colts arrived at Whitchurch to find the pitch surrounded by geese having a gander and a playing surface covered in their poo. Didnt their last game together involve Horse poo?
These fixtures must be cursed because the ref had cancelled too which meant Ian had to step up and referee. He became the smartest dressed Ref the lads had seen.
No Will today, so the Colts were down to 9. Whitchurch must have enjoyed the last game because they even asked for the Cake stand to make the trip away.
Matthew started in goal and the Colts soon got into their stride. A great start was rewarded when the ball dropped to Finn, 15 yards and with the ball bouncing in front of him, he struck a half volley goal bound. It was too much for the massive Whitchurch keeper who could only parry it into the net. 0-1, a great finish from Finn, great reward after some great work in the last few weeks.
Matthew started in goal and was as brave as ever making a great early clearance coming off his line. At the next attack he bore down on the striker and dived low to take one in the ‘regions’ It knocked the wind out of him. It must have hurt because this brave warrior had to come off to catch his breath. Strong and courageous as ever. Freddie ran to take his place.
The Colts had been briefed about staying in position as Whitchurch had a big kicking keeper. This was evident when Cole had to make some early last ditch tackles. Confident; as ever.
Cole’s positioning allowed others to stay forward and George took advantage to smash one against the post.
Into a strong first quarter George combined well with Matty and Cole before Cole shots was saved.A lovely passage of play.
George had a eye for a pass today and the next time he picked up the ball he made a great defence splitting pass which set up a big defensive tackle and save from the keeper.
It wasn’t just the forwards who were passing well. Not to be out done, Cole running back towards his goal dropped a nice little pass back to Freddie who cleared up field. Total football, back to front.
The first quarter drew to a close with a battling performance from both teams.
A quick change of personal but no change in work ethic or philosophy and we were into the second quartr. Freddie now playing out played a great pass into Ryan who straight from the training ground crossed back to Freddie who shot wide. A great combination of passing.
The pitch was short and narrow and Freddie’s eye lit up when the ball broke to him half way out. Bang, a great shot which was saved but spilled out to Ryan who had followed it and slotted home to make it 0-2.
Matthew had recovered and was now holding the line and making some important tackles and if it went past him Matty was able to smash it away from goal making some big clearances.
Ryan kept flying up the wing and made some great crosses.
The Colts then had to face up to a freekick in a dangerous position. Ryan took up the near post. The shot came in and was sneaking in the near post but Ryan cushioned it down. Under pressure and on the line he just took the ball down and then cleared it away. A class touch.
He showed the same touch up field and was unlucky not to score when the keeper came out well to clear.
James was keen to show touch and from a goal kick he dragged the ball out of the air with ease.
Ryan was all over the pitch today and made some great defensive tackles. The Colts needed to be all in and they were up against it here. One such tackle set James up but his cross/shot went just wide.
The Colts also wanted to keep the ball and passed backwards for the second time in the match. This time Ryan back to Freddie. Great to see.
With these three combining well it was left to the Matthews to hold the line and hold they did. If one missed it, the other got it.
We had reached half time and this game was different to the last one. Finn was now in goal and made his usual Neuer style clearances. One set Matty in one on one but the keeper closed him down quickly. The Colts were probably facing one of the best keepers seen in this league. He had been playing in the manure and was massive!
Jack was one player, not so keen on the playing surface but after sitting out the first half he was on and was flying around. He fired in a great shot after being played in by George.
Neuer had to be out again to keep the Colts in it. Whitchurch were looking for a quick restart and kept trying to catch the Colts up field.
They got their reward when one of the players ran up the wing and his chipped shot was too high for Finn. 1-2.
The Colts had to push and did so with George pushing forward and having found space was able to beat the keeper for once but he managed to get enough on it to allow him to scramble after it and keep it from crossing the line. George looked but the ref was not going to give it.
Finn made another good save and Cole made a great sliding tackle after Freddie had taken one for the team! Cole had to make the tackle and did.
Finn had to have strong hands for the next two shots. They were all in here and George also took one in the face. The next corner came and Cole had to head it off the line. Great defending again.
Into the last quarter and Matthew was out again defending well and it allowed James to latch onto a great kick out from Freddie who was back in goal. James picked the ball up at half way and his first shot was saved but he followed it up and slotted the rebound home. 1-3.
The Colt soon got caught by the Whitchurch quick restart. They broke and made for a nervy last few minutes 2-3.
Ryan kept covering ground for the Colts making last ditch tackles. One sliding tackle kept the Colts in it.
It finished 3-3. A long range shot was well hit and the Colts now had to push for a winner. It never came but Matthew did well to clear with his head or they could have lost it in the last few seconds of the match.
Another great game and it ended a tie at 3-3.
Match Highlights
1.Finn smashing in a half volley.
2.Freddie grabbing the gloves and setting up James from a kick out
3.Matthew diving bravely and taking one for the team
4.Cole clearing off the line with his head
5.Jack smashing one goal bound
6.Matty coming off his line well
7.George defence splitting pass
8.Ryan covering every blade of grass
9.Will’s was absent
10.James following up his shot to slot home
Things to work on for next week
Positioning -Not the first game they have got caught out.
But they are now strong defenders.
FINN
Great to see him score and made some good runs up the line.
