The Colts arrived at SCAT in glorious sunshine. With the dew glisting in the low morning sun, they returned to the venue of one of their poorest games. Having lost to the Menaces's in a tournament, it was evident the Colts were keen to get their own back on this lot. They had always had a good game but the last defeat left a sour taste.
Zen was unavailable today and with Freddie feeling under the weather he agreed to go in goal. Even 50% fit, Freddie is still some player and guardian of the goal.
Early on the Colts began to show their intention. It lead to one spectator describing it later as Tikka Takka having cried out "ole, ole" at every pass. The ball was being stroked around lovely in the first few minutes, leaving lines on the dew. That dew diddnt last long as the Colts covered every inch of the pitch. Cole passed to Matty who knocked it wide to Finn on the wing.
Freddie was quick off his line to gather the ball after a big goal kick. Will had taken up a great position in centre midfield and showed his class and experience in getting into a great covering position on the rare occassion Cole and Matthew were beaten.
George struck a lovely corner to the far post and Finn was unlukcy not to contect with the volley. Menaces were a tough team but the Colts were up for this and battled well in the early exchanges.
Even George, not known for his defensive work made a great last ditch tackle, well timed and clean. A brilliant tackle, bringing an appreciative applause. His tackle nearly set Finn off but his first touch let him down.
Finn had another chance to break as the ball broke to him and Will but neither were able to get the ball under control quick enought to make it count.
The ball ran to their keeper. He then decided to roll it out but Finn was able to pounce and nicking the ball, should have scored.
Matty was leading the line and took a lovely scooped pass from Finn but his shot was saved.
Will kept taking up lovely positions in defence and was strong in the tackle. All put their foot in.
Freddie bought his great vision into goal and from a kick out passed to Will who knocked it back to Cole who set Finn off up the wing who slipped it throught to George who was unlucky not to keep the ball in play. Front to back in 4 passes. Tikka Takka indeed.
From the throw in, Finn battled well and the ball broke to Wil who was able to dig it out of his feeet and shoot, 0-1.
Cole stayed composed at the back and looked like he was diving into a tackle but he just nicked the ball over the toe of the defender before casually playing it up the line to Finn. First class football.
Finn got a break of the ball in the box and his scuffed shot, megged the keeper 0-2.
Just before a strong first quarter came to a holt, Finn made another impressive scooped pass into Matty.
Jacob started strongly in the second quater and as ever made some great tackles. Eyes on the ball. Jack followed suit, battling away well.
Ryan and George began to link up as they do and each took it in turns to receive the ball off the other before firing just over.
Jack playing upfront led the line well and controlled a lovely ball from Geroge on the half turn.
George battled hard for the ball in the box and when it broke to Ryan, he smashed it home 0-3.
He was on the score sheet again, not long after, this time breaking onto a loose ball from a strong challenge by Cole 0-4.
Freddie kept his head in goal and began many attacks, rolling out to Cole who played in George onto Ryan.
George smashed one at goal and was unlucky to see it bounce of the corner of the goal.
Jacob had to keep his guard and he made an important last ditch tackle. Coming away with the ball, he laid it into Matthew who in turn fed Ryan whos cross shot went wide.
Matthew now took his turn in goal, allowing Freddie to dominate midfield. Matthew was strong in goal and was brave, diving at the feet to keep them at bay.
Finn kept pushing up the line. One run was stopped by a good tackle, but the ball broke to Freddie, who without looking and first time, switched the play to Ryan on the wing. Effortless from the midfield man.
Finn shot wide then took a knock on the head. He was back on his feet after treatment.
Soon the crowd were calling "Ole, Ole" as the Colts put 5 passes together. The ball even went backwards. Freddie into Jacob, back to Freddie into Will and onto Ryan.
Spurred on by that Ryan banged another in, with the outside of his foot 0-5.
Jacob kept them at bay and from one tackle set up Freddie to slot into Finn and his first time pass to Matty on the break was just too strong and the keeper did well to come out and collect. Ole, Ole indeed.
Matty then had a succession of freekicks, 3 in total, each one getting closer and closer but unfortunalty none hit the target.
Ryan got his 4th with another strong shot having picked up the ball from a throw in 0-6
The Ref gathered the players in before the last quarter and he warned them about the odd stray foot or elbow. Not seen by those on the line but well handled by the ref.
Finn kept skilling his way up the line but came off after getting studded on the top of his foot. Hitting through a tackle, he caught the bottom of the other players boot.
Freddie passed into Cole who set up Matty but his shot was well saved.
George was keen to get on the sheet and a lovley run down the line allowed him to stike a shot across the keeper into the far corner 0-7
Jack kept battling well, and hit a great shot.
The Colts lost out to a scramble and the Menaces got one back 1-7.
They nicked another in simialr fashion soon after 2-7 but this time a cool finsh
Ryan banged in another corner which was turned in as an OG 2-8.
The Colts then gave away a penalty but the kick hit the bar.
The game concluded with Will scrambling home 2-9.
A great game for the Colts.
Match highlights
1. Zen - Did not play
2. Jacob - Last ditch tackles. Great positioning
3. Cole - again playing further forward and getting on the ball more
4. Will - wonderful positioning
5. Jack - busy and unluky not to score. really coming on
6. Matthew - taking his turn in goal and being more confident in posession
7. Matty - Trying to smash in a freekick
8. Freddie - Great between the sticks and played with wingmirros outfield
9. Finn - better defensive positioning
10. George - battling for his goal
11. Ryan - smashing them in with the outside of his foot
