Due to the Easter break Netherton Colts had only 10 fit players turn out for today’s match against Warley Boro. The visitors were also missing players, the energy of captain Callum, the goals of Sam S. & the tenacity of Brad S. Manager Matt Jones was also missing so Coach Robbo took over the reins. The match had extra emphasis as it was Netherton’s manager’s last game after eight years in charge and Warley were fielding two ex Colts in Dan W. & Reece T who were eager to make an impression against their former team.
Bright sunshine showered the pitch as the two teams went head to head in this 11.30am kick off. Warley started brightly controlling the game with some great possession but with little threat as the two Colt centre halves dominated the Warley strike force. Midway through the half Luke B rattled the bar from 20yards with a blistering shot and 5 minutes later Dan W, sent clear shot just wide. Netherton came close after uncertainty in the Boro defence enabled a shot on goal that wizzed past the post. Half time 0-0
Coach Robertson made some changes at half time pushing Byron from defence to midfield and telling the players to use the flanks but the general message was to continue to play as they were because the goals would eventually come.
The second half continued as the first had finished with Warley dominating. 10 minutes in and with no goals to show Coach Robbo moved Byron into attack and Reece into midfield to give a more physical presence. It was an inspired tactical change as an exquisite through ball from Jack B found Byron who showed great strength to force the ball home and start the scoring. Netherton Colts East 0 Warley Boro 1 Warley piled on the pressure to score a second but a resilient Netherton stood firm. Their determination paid off when on 62 mins a rare Netherton attack ended with a Colt boot wrapping around the ball to somehow hook a right sided shot over the helpless Colm and spark loud cheers from the Netherton faithful.Netherton Colts East 1 Warley Boro 1
The Warley boys regrouped and on 68 minutes a corner was headed on from Reece and with Byron menacing towards ball a colt defender put into he’s own net to finish the scoring at Netherton Colts East 1 Warley Boro 2
The score line suggests this was a close affair against the 10 men of Netherton. However Warley dominated the game from start to finish playing some decent football and showing great desire to reclaim the lead after they drew level. There were four objectives put to the lads before the game.
1. We won
2 we scored from a corner
3 we scored from outside the box
4. We kept a clean sheet.
A total of 50% with three points was achieved which brings us to another massive game as Warley need to beat Hasbury to finish 5th in the league and achieve their hightest ever position before the big one, the league cup final on May 1st.
