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!