The Colts welcomed the League Champions tonight and there was no love lost between the two sides. Battles took place across the pitch but it was the Colts who thoroughly deserved the victory.
An early goal from Hamisi settled nerves. With the ball rolling through to the keeper, a defensive mix up allowed him to steal it away from them and he put the ball into an empty net. Both keeper and defender blaming each other. Hunt then hit a thunderbolt which bounced down off the bar. As the crowd screamed ‘goal’ , the ball bounced just this side of the goalline.
For the first twenty minutes, Clipstone failed to have a shot. Sprengel was everywhere and Vardy cruised around in midfield. Lowe was just fantastic down the right, working hard and battling for every ball. Langham produced his best performance of the season. Cook and Booth magnificent at the back. Carter supported them well but a defensive lapse in concentration let Clipstone back in. Following a mis kick, the ball fell to the striker, who lobbed the advancing Bate. 1-1 seemed harsh on the Colts, who had dominated.
Changes in the second half, saw Mogford replace the quiet Hardy. As he went onto the filed, he was ordered by the Manager to score. Minutes later, he duly obliged. Vardy swung in a corner from the right and Mogford met it with a cool finish into the bottom corner. Minutes later the Colts added a third. The effervescent Mogford was tripped in the box and after careful deliberation, the ref gave the penalty. Although Cook wanted the kick to aid his goalscoring competition with Carter, it was Hamisi who thumped the ball past the stranded keeper.
For the final goal, it was another superb corner from Vardy which provided it. Booth and Sprengel jumped and the ball looped towards Mogford who headed cleanly into the net.
The Colts seemed to relax after this and as the final whistle drew near, Clipstone had a few wayward shots of their own. However, Bate produced a fine save to keep the score down and from the following corner he again thwarted the attack before Mogford cleared away.
It was a fantastic team performance. Birks worked hard when coming on and Hardy settled in when replacing the now tired Lowe. Hunt and Hamisi caused problems throughout. Bowmer and Richards did well ensuring Clipstone did not score again.
The performance of the season for the Colts, who can hold their heads high and go into next season full of confidence.
Well done, we are very proud of you.
