The last game of the Colts debut season and the script was written for it be against their arch nemesis, Up n Comers Falcons. Their fans behaviour in other games still left a sour taste in the mouth, something that had not gone unnoticed by the players. They too had seen how badly they had behaved and how they had not shown true sportsmanship. Never let it be said that the players did not pick up on what was happening on the side lines. This was Exhibit A M’lud!!!
Enough of that, this game had the needle to make it interesting but with the New Gazebo makings its debut there was a party feel to this last game. Even Finns mum and sisters had made it for KO.
The Colts kicked off and started well. Will was first to try his shooting boots following a pass from George. Typically, Will smashed it with great timing but it was well saved.
George soon went on a mazy run but was shepherded into the corner. A few twists and he was back out to cross, it was slightly over hit but Will was able to knock it back in for Cole who was arriving late into the box, he caught it with a lovely half volley……..just over! A clear demonstration of the Colts playing and staying in position.
Freddie had started between the sticks and he sent a sweet kick out to James on the wing who strode down the line but ran the ball too far out of play. A lovely turnover of play.
Learning from that when James picked up the ball next he shot from distance with great pace but it was saved well from another keeper who needed to have his birth certificate checked.
George continued to skill his way forward and was unlucky when his shot hit a defender.
From the next throw in George picked out Will who was ready to smash it in but the ball bobbled up from the newly marked running track. Damn you Mr Laux and your line markings.
The Colts kept pushing forward safe in the knowledge that Cole was keeping an eye on the defence. In typical brick wall style, they were not to pass Cole.
Even if they did, Freddie came out well to clear, one such clearance finding Will who dashed down the line to put in a superb cross but he was a few paces ahead of his team mates as the ball fizzed across the goal mouth.
In almost identical circumstances Will was down the line again, this time his cross found George who turned his defender before slotting home, placing his shot into the bottom corner. A lovely finish 1-0. Well deserved.
A pattern began to develop as Cole and Freddie mopped up at the back before sending Will or James down the line to feed George.
Defensively Will was strong in a tackle and with Cole close by they scrambled the ball clear. Not pretty but effective and as the coaches said at the time, just as important as a goal.
From a corner Will drilled it in, its pace causing confusion as the ball bounced off the defender to make it 2-0.
The first quarter drew to a close with James displaying an excellent touch, taking the ball from a high kick out from Freddie. A brilliant piece of skill. Not the first time he has taken a ball down in this way. A gifted touch.
Into the second quarter and fresh from the line was pace from Finn, Ryan and Jack. The Falcons had a different set of problems to deal with now.
Finn picked up from previous weeks and made some strong runs down the line and made some intelligent crosses.
Matthew shored up the defence nicely.
Ryan picked out Finn a few minutes later and through on goal he smashed it home. 3-0. 4 goals in 3 games for Finn.
Whilst not cruising, the Colts had made a great start and had quietened the usual noisy away fans. However they were soon cheering, in fact the whole crowd had to applaud the next goal. A strong individual run saw the Falcons get one back 3-1. Mathew had been unlucky in not stopping the run; a break of the ball saw it bounce back to the opposition in front of goal.
Finn continued to run up the line and fed Ryan who was unlucky to hear the ref blow for the ball being out of play. A real shame as Ryan was in on goal.
Finn was in again but the GK made a strong save before Matty kicked out from goal to set Finn down the line, like Will had done before him.
Ryan kept the GK busy as he fired one in from range. Typically a strong shot with his left foot.
Matty kept the Falcons at bay coming out and closing them down on more than one occasion.
Jack had been battling well as ever and was rewarded when he showed a lovely piece of skill to cross to Finn who shot over.
Jack had to stay strong in defence and did so which allowed Ryan to move forward but they all had to get back as they lost the ball. Matthew was first to stop the counter attack before Ryan and Jack helped clear up.
They were all in for a scramble soon after as Finn and Matty made some important stops before clearing.
Finn had another good chance as the keeper came out to clear and miss hit his clearance. On the half way line, Finn could have shot first time but took the ball towards goal which allowed the GK to get back into position but Finn pulled his shot wide.
Into the last quarter and there had been a few hard tackles here and the Ref had to stop pay for a drop ball which George won powerfully.
Matthew made some great saves as he was exposed one on one. A double save the pick of them.
Another individual goal set the game up at 3-2.
Cole was back in defence and having picked the ball up he slid in Ryan but the ball wouldn’t sit down for him and the GK came out well to smother.
Up the other end and a quick throw in left the Colts exposed and despite a great effort they could not clear as they made it 3-3.
Showing his maturity in the next attack Cole put his body in the right place to shield the ball out of play. It bought a big round of applause, from the home team at least!!
George and Finn combined well to set up Freddie and his shot was well saved.
Freddie dinked in a lovely corner and from the scramble George was able to poke the ball home. 4-3.
From a kick out the ball was played back in but it bobbled over James in goal 4-4.
A quick succession of saves prevented the Colts regaining the lead as shots from Finn and Jack fired goal bounds.
Matty combined well and having scrambled for the ball his shot was partially saved but it squirmed over the line 5-4.
The Colts had the lead with only a few minutes left.
Into the last few seconds and with the Colts having a free kick in the box the call came from Coach Kev for James to kick it to him on the line, to try and find touch. Kick it as far as you can. Connecting well, James did as instructed but it went towards an opponent who took a one in a million touch to bring the ball down, bear down on goal and slot home 5-5. A coaching mistake. The Lads had dealt with all other goal kicks and perhaps should have been left to it. It’s not just the kids who are learning here………
So as the season draws to a conclusion it is fair to say the Colts have come on loads, individually and as a team. They should feel very proud of their first season
Match Highlights
1. Finn flying down the wing
2. Freddie making a lovely first touch pass
3. Matthew battling hard in defence
4. Cole shielding the ball out of play
5. Jack standing his ground
6. Matty making some great clearances in goal
7. Georges back on the score sheet
8. Ryan becoming a lovely play maker
9. Will’s rocket shots
10. James first touch. Sublime
Things to work on for next week
NONE
Season finished
Time to shine in the tournaments
FINN
Showing promise on the wing.
A great first season.
Started in goal before finding a place on the wing.
