**Clean Sheet***
EAGLES GET THEIR COMEUPPANCE
UP & COMERS EAGLES 0
SAHA COLTS 11 - Ryan (2), Matthew J (2), James, George (4), Cole (2)
Played at SCAT on 20 March 2016
Kick-off at 10:00
Attendance 50
Following a convincing win last week, Colts were keen to play the return fixture against the Eagles drawing inspiration from the way Liverpool had disposed of Manchester United in the Europa Cup earlier in the week. In this Easter season, Cole had even risen ‘Lazarus-like’ from his sick bed so that he didn’t miss out on the opportunity to get his name on the score sheet!
Colts had done lots of endurance work on the training ground this week running five laps in aid of Sports Relief and two of the dads – Neil and Kev – had followed suit by running the Shrewsbury 10K earlier in the day.
The astroturf surface suited the Colts’ Tiki Taka style of play, however, an early loss of possession led to a chance for Eagles’ No 8 that slid narrowly past the post. Colts responded quickly with a lovely cross-field ball from Freddie that was taken in his stride by the ever-alert Matty, whose good right-footed shot went just wide.
Matty was soon in again with a right-footed half volley on the turn which the Eagles’ keeper got solidly behind.
The next move was straight out of the Barcelona textbook as Colts worked the ball from a defensive position across the pitch and back again before the ball ended up at the feet of Ryan who had a well-struck shot saved just inside the post.
The referee was doing his best to use minimal intervention and provoked comments from the away team’s bench as he failed to act upon a raked boot on the inside of Matty’s thigh.
The pressure was mounting on Eagles and in the seventh minute, Ryan, who had been snapping at their heels all game, won the ball on the edge of his own box before powering down the right wing and poking home a lovely left footed finish past the keeper 0-1
Soon after, more neat interplay between Matty and Freddie led to a simple finish for Matty at the back post 0-2
Colts continued their onslaught in the second period with Finn turning the ball just past the post after being found by James from the left wing. Finn then returned the favour with a throw-in that James took inside the Eagles’ defender with his right before firing a beautiful left footed shot inside the post 0-3.
Freddie was keeping alert in goal after a long period of inactivity and did well to get down sharply to save a good shot from Eagles’ No 5.
Finn continued to battle hard on the right wing and played in George, who took it inside the last defender before sliding a left footed shot past the keeper to make it 0-4
After further good passing between James and George, William played a searching ball from the back, which George won before slotting home another with his right. 0-5
Finn almost got in on the act after being put in by George but was foiled by a double save by Eagles’ brave keeper.
Will then came within a couple of inches from a strong candidate for goal of the season as his magnificent first time right-footed shot from the edge of his own area rattled the Eagles’ crossbar.
In the third quarter, Jack and Matthew formed an impenetrable wall at the heart of the Colts’ defence with Matty and Ryan combining well up front to create several chances. Colts went six up after Jack won yet another challenge in midfield and fed Matty who rolled his foot over the ball and played in Ryan who calmly finished into the corner of the goal with his left foot 0-6
Colts’ next goal was so good that one of the opposition players ‘high-fived’ the scorer in appreciation! Ryan’s curling cross from the left was met on the half volley by Matt who had stole in from the right to finish with aplomb 0-7.
Colts finished strongly in the final quarter against a tiring Eagles side. George won the ball on the left wing before threading the ball through three Eagles players for Cole, whose right-footed shot was saved well by the keeper.
Colts’ eighth goal came straight off the training ground after Will’s whipped in corner was met with a glancing header from Cole into the far corner 0-8.
Goal line technology had to be employed to decide who scored Colts’ ninth goal after a neat passing move led to George beating his man on the inside left position to nutmeg the keeper. Cole followed in to tap the ball in on the line to make sure there was no doubt! 0-9
George made sure that there was no argument about the next goal after winning the ball from the kick-off and racing past two defenders before slotting home with his right 0-10
The Colts made in 0-11 after a good throw from Jack put in George who drilled in a left shot from the wing past the keeper. Colts’ keeper, Finn, was now virtually playing as a sweeper as all of the outfield players took residence in the Eagles’ half.
It was another good day at the office for Colts who remain unbeaten since the start of the Spring fixtures.
Match Highlights
Finn showing lots of trickery on the right wing.
Freddie being at the heart of the passing moves in midfield and looking reassured in goal.
Matthew forming a great defensive partnership with Jack.
Cole’s great header from Will’s corner.
Jack belying his size to win everything in the air.
Matty making a great return to his striker role with two well taken goals.
George doing a ‘Zidane’ in midfield to play James in.
Ryan defending from the front and linking up play well.
‘Will Cooke from the half way line... Will Cooke from the half way line!’
James looking like the ball was glued to his feet as he danced through the midfield.
Report by Mike Cruise.
