Colts 2 Fernhill 2

Today's match was played in dry, but very cold and windy conditions.

Only 10 boys were available as Craig was away with family and Fraser called off late due to illness.

Matched was to be played over the usual 2 x 25 minute periods (or so we thought)

Starting team: Michael, Chris, Alex, Logan, Jordan, Matt, Martyn & Reece.

Fernhill kicked off with the wind in their faces, but were not fazed by this and looked to play the ball to feet where possible. It took Colts a couple of minutes to adapt to the conditions, but were not trouble by the physical and very tall Fernhill. Colts were making good use of the wind with good kicking from Michael in goal creating several chances for Reece, who was back up front, and for Martyn on the right. Neither very to make anything of these early chances.

Fernhill were pushing 4 or 5 forward with every break, with Colts finding it hard to cover, and they paid the price when Fernhill got ahead of the last man and got a good cross in for an easy finish past the helpless Michael.

The seemed to spur Colts on and they started to create chance after chance with Matt, Martyn and the ever improving Jordan getting forward and firing ball in at the Fernhill keeper. From one of those efforts the keeper made a good save, but played to ball out to Reece whose strong shot was very well tipped over by the recovering keeper.

Play had to be stopped due to a facial injury. Jordan to a full force hit in the face, and broke a tooth in the process. He was replaced by Ross.

Ros was making a good impact in the game, as was Logan who had his first start outfield, but seemed to be reading the game well, but found the pace hard going at times.

Half time : Colts 0 Fernhill 1

No changes were made at half time as we felt it may change the rhythm of the team, who were clearing on top, but just needed the breaks.

Straight from the off Colts were again creating good chances with good running from Matt and some good covering and harrying by the rest of the midfield.

Colts got a free kick wide on the right about 10 yards outside the box. Matt proceeded to score what can only be described as a spectacular curling shot into the top left hand corner of the goal.

Fernhill went straight on the attack, but Michael was up to the challenge, but to a sore one in the process, but the ref decided that the knock was not sufficiently bad to warrant stopping the game (not sure why?).

Chris and Alex were both having good games dealing comfortably with what Fernhill could throw at them, and were both able to make good surging runs forward in the process.

Play had to again be stopped (much to the annoyance of the ref) as Reece had taken an elbow in the chest from the Fernhill keeper and was in some distress. He was replaced by Stuart.

Stuart was getting the time to hold the ball up and from one of these, Matt tried his luck from about 15 yards, and beat the advancing keeper to his left. Another top drawer goal to add to his collection.

Logan took a sore knock to the ankle (spot the pattern) and had to be replaced by the recovered Jordan.

Matt had another chance going for his hat-trick, but did not get right behind the ball and the Fernhill keeper saved well on the ground.

With time running out Colts started to tire, Colts stillcreated a 2 on 1 with the keeper. After some hard running from Martyn, who was having his best game to date, he laid off Stuart but he failed to strike the ball cleanly allowing the keeper to tip round the post.

With 25 minutes on the clock, and the Colts touchline screaming for the whistle, the ref decided to keep playing. Chris, Alex and Jordan were having to be at their best , as was Michael who had several god late saves to keep Colts ahead.

With 26, 27 then 28 minutes gone, still the ref kept playing. This was starting to become ridiculous. Fernhill were gaining momentum from this and were throwing caution to the wind and were creating chance after chance.

With 28 minutes 30 seconds on the clock (even with the watch stopped for the Reece injury) Colts paid the penalty for not taking their earlier chances. Fernhill got a ;ate equaliser from a deflected cross high into the top corner past the stranded, and very unlucky Michael.

This was still not the end however, as somehow the ref still managed to find another 90 seconds before blowing for full time.

Full time : Colts 2 Fernhill 2

A superb performance from all boys today. Based on normal time the match was won, but cruelly snatched away by a disgruntled referee. Special notes today go to Michael who kept Colts in the game with some inspirational saves and 2 good goals from Matt. Keep this up and we can go on to better things.

If there is a lesson to be learned today it is to kill a game off so the opposition has no chance of stealing a draw courtesy of any very poor refereeing!

Colts 1 Culter Colts 1

Today's game was played in rainy conditions with the pitch very wet under foot.

We only had 11 today as Logan was suffering the effects of a cold.

Matched played over the usual 2 x 25 minute periods

Starting team: Michael, Chris, Alex, Reece, Jordan, Matt, Martyn & Fraser.

Culter kicked off and were keen to play the ball over the top of Colts at every opportunity for their quick forwards to run on to. Chris and Alex seemed to cope in the early stages but did get caught a few times when pushing forward, but Culter had no clear shots of note in the early stages.

With Fraser starting up front, Colts were able to hold the ball up, but the midfield were slow to follow the play and most chances were lost. Jordan was making some forays forward but did not manage to get the ball to a Colts player.

Culter were now starting to find space in the Colts midfield due to poor tracking and closing down by Colts. This led to Culter taking the lead. Some neat play on their right led to an opening and a cool finish opened the scoring.

Colts did not learn from this and were still slow to get to the first and second ball in midfield. Martyn had also taken a knock on his knee so he was replaced by Ross on the left of midfield.

This change gave Colts the drive and Ross's direct running led to Colts levelling the match. Ross had a strong run and shot blocked by Culter defence, but the rebound was picked up by Jordan who shot straight at the keeper. This shot was spilled and Jordan slotted home from close range.

The play went from end to end, but neither team creating many clear chances.

Half time : Colts 1 Culter 1

Fraser was replaced by Reece up front and Craig replaced Reece in the holding midfield role.

Ellon kicked off and the changes made an immediate difference as the tempo of play increased with Colts giving Culter no room to play. The best chances created by Culter were from Colts attacking and being caught with too many players forward. Culter hit the post twice and the bar once, and Michael had a few good stops in goal. Craig also had a great clearance off the goal line to save Colts.

Matt was still creating space for himself but was failing to find Colts players with his passes and crosses. Ross too was making his space but was holding on to the ball too long and being caught.

Stuart replaced Reece up front and Reece replaced Jordan on the left of midfield. Stuart almost immediately had a chance to put colts into the lead but rushed his shot and it went harmlessly past the post.

In the dying minutes Fraser replaced Reece on the left but no further chances were created.

Full time : Colts 1 Culter 1

A hard game today with a different type of opposition to recent weeks. Culter were quick and Colts did not adapt their own game to cope with this and were lucky not to be punished. They improved in the second half but were still vulnerable to long balls over the top for the quick players to run on to.

The boys battled to the end and deserve credit for this as they held on for a draw.

Next Match v Culter Colts (Home)

This week we have a home match against Culter Colts.

The match will be at the usual place and time, Deer Park kick off at 10:30. All boy to be there no later than 10:00.

Match Cancelled: Byron Utd.

This match has been cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

Colts 3 Cove BC 1

Today's match was played in good weather, but the pitch was very heavy.

We had a full squad, but Logan pulled out of his goalkeeping duties at last minute due to a sore shoulder. Michael stepped up to take over the gloves.

Play was over 2 x 25 minute periods.

Starting team : Michael, Alex, Fraser, Reece, Martyn, Matt, Ross & Stuart.

Cove kicked off but were straight on the defensive as Colts launched wave after wave of attacks. Stuart had an early chance, but shot just past the post, then Reece had a chance with the same result, then Martyn did the same.

Colts were have all the play which was good to see, with some great passing from Matt and from Reece, playing a deeper midfield position.

Colts forced a corner, and following some goalmouth action the ball was rolled out to Ross who smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Any long ball that was coming through was being dealt with easily by Alex and Fraser who both had good runs with the ball putting Cove under pressure.

Continued Colts pressure was again to pay off when a good through ball was put away high in to the net by Stuart.

Stuart had another shot at goal from a Reece cross from the right only to blast over the bar from close range.

Cove were getting in to the game a bit more towards the end of the half, albeit by use of some strong tackles and some pushing. On a rare attack up field Alex put in a strong tackle, but was slightly late, giving away a free kick just outside the box. Cove got a goal back direct from the kick after Colts decided to align their wall outside of the goals (something for the coaches to work on).

Half time : Colts 2 Cove BC 1

Several changes were made at this point with Chris replacing Alex, Jordan replacing Stuart and Craig replacing Ross.

Colts started this half in the same manner they started the first with wave after wave of attack, but failing to convert any chances.

Colts were now starting to put themselves about in the same manner as Cove with some good tackling from Craig and Fraser, and some calm defending from Chris.

Colts continued to play some neat crisp football in midfield, with a speculative shot from distance ending with a good goal from Matt.

Some slack play by Colts (too many players pushing up field) resulted in a 4 on 1, but Michael came out well and saved at the feet of the Cove player.

The Cove boys were not so keen on the strong tackles from Colts, and were now being encouraged to take dives by their coach, but this was to no avail, and they were starting to get a bit despondent.

Colts continued to create some chance, with good footwork from Jordan creating a chance well held by the keeper.

Reece to a knock on the knee and was replaced by Logan. Alex also replaced Fraser. Colts were now coasting and had nothing to do defensively. A late run by Alex resulted in a good shot going wide of the post. Logan seemed to enjoy the new role outfield and too was not shy in getting stuck in.

Full time : Colts 3 Cove BC 1

A great match where Colts showed for the first time this season that they can beat a team by playing good football, and also handle a physical battle when required. There were some very tired boys out there at the end which from a coaches point of view is great to see as there was plenty of effort from all the boys, with a great result.


Well done, bring on the next match.


Also a quick thanks to Craig for being so kind in letting the boys and families help celebrates his birthday with him in the time old tradition of egging. Thank goodness my birthday is only just past!