Meadows Colts 7 Cove BC Colts 1

Today's match was played in fine sunny weather, but very wet and heavy under foot, with2 x 25 minutes halves the format of choice.

Colts were starting to have a familiar look to there team in recent matches, but were forced to make a couple of changes with Craig, Matt & Stuart away on holiday.

Starting line-up: Logan, Alex, Chris, Ross, Jordan, Michael, Fraser & Reece. Martyn was our only sub this week.

Ellon kicked off, but lost the ball and Cove attacked up field, but Chris and Alex dealt with the on-rushing Cove forwards. From the clearance Michael drove forward and played the ball to Reece, but his shot was easily dealt with by their keeper.

Ellon were pressing well and Jordan was next to push forward, but he held the ball too long and failed to find a team mate with his pass.

Cove had another chance going forward, but Alex cleared with ease. From the corner Cove got a free header, but fortunately for Ellon this went past the post.

Fraser was getting forward well and showing some great skill with the ball at his feet. His shot from range went past the near post.

Again Cove got forward, this time Ross had to clear. From the resulting corner the ball ended straight in the back of the net with Logan only managing to help the ball in.

Ellon went straight back on the offensive but Reece and Michael both missing chances.

Ellon were not to wait long for their opening though. Some great passing across the Ellon midfield left Michael with space and he fired home into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Ellon kept the pressure on and Fraser was next. From a Logan kick-out Fraser played a neat 1 2 with Ross which left Fraser with loads of room to run in to, but rather than using that space he fired in a fierce shot from 20 yards out.

Ellon were now really calling the shots and were pulling Cove apart with every opportunity. Some great interplay between Ross, Fraser and Michael left Ross to fire a ball across goal which Reece nipped in front of Jordan to poke home the third.

Jordan was now getting up and down his flank really well and combining well with Reece. This lead to Reece trying his luck from out wide left with the keeper stranded, only to see his shot whistle past the near post.

Half Time : Ellon 3 Cove 1

Jordan was replace on the left by Martyn for the start of the second half.

Cove kicked off and put Ellon under some pressure early on as Ellon were sitting to deep and allowing them to run at them. This led to a few nervy moments, but Chris and Alex dealt with these.

From one of the Cove forays up field Chris intercepted and played a ball to Ross who in turn played Fraser in. Fraser turned his man well and played a delightful pass to Michael who left the Cove keeper no chance with a fierce drive.

Ellon were now in overdrive and pushing forward at will. the boys were now playing the best football yet and their passing was excellent. Martyn was getting room on the Left and from this he played a great through ball for Reece, but he miss-time his shot.

The same move repeated only seconds later wit another fine pass to Reece, but this time he fired the ball high into the Cove net.

Fraser was replaced by Jordan on his favoured left and Martyn moving to the right.

This only seemed to spur Ellon on more. Alex was cutting out most chances that came his way. he pay a neat pass out of defence to Martyn, his pass went on to Michael who played the ball to Ross. Ross then picked out Reece who played the ball back to Michael who finished well between the diving keeper and the post.

Ellon was keeping the pressure on and was getting the ball in to the Cove box with almost every move. Chris had a great surging run forward after collecting the ball deep in his own half, only to see his fine effort on goal deflected wide for a corner. Michael played the ball in but the Cove keeper held the ball well.

By this time Logan was having very little to do other than to keep Chris and Alex on their toes.

From another Ellon move Reece had a chance, but was clipped as he struck his shot and went down. Despite appearing to be injured he was determined to carry on. From the keeper's kick-out Reece controlled the ball with his knee and calmly fired a lob straight back over the outstretched keeper into the back of the net. Perhaps he was OK after all!

As the game was nearing an end Ellon git a corner. The ball fell to Alex who fired well, but his shot was blocked by a stretch Cove defender.

Full Time : Ellon 7 Cove 1

Today's performance is what makes coaching kids worth while. I'm sure all those there would agree that this was probably the best footballing performance to date from our Colts. The passing was great, the boys showed great awareness of each others movement, and a willingness to get stuck in when needed. Well done to you all.

Keep this performance level up and you will get the rewards it deserves.

Colony Colts 0 Meadows Colts 2

Today's match was played in pleasant conditions, sun shining and no wind. Today we played the unfamiliar 3 x 15 minute periods.

We went a more familiar line-up for this match. Alex was missing with an ankle knock so Ross took his position in the starting line-up at the back, Michael starting in the centre of the park with Reece again up front. Matt was omitted from the starting team as he missed training due to illness.

Starting team : Logan, Chris, Ross, Craig, Jordan, Michael, Fraser & Reece. Stuart, Martyn, & Matt were subs.

Ellon started well and were well fired up from the off. A good through ball from Michael led to Reece breaking through the Colony defenced but fired straight at the keeper.

Fraser was making great runs down the wing and even displayed some of the step over turns we had been working on in training giving him loads of time to cross, but no-one from Ellon was on hand to capitalise.

Jordan too was using some of our training with a few neat turns to create space for himself to great effect.

Ellon got there rewards when after some sustained pressure and a few efforts on goal, Michael played a neat through ball to Reece who placed his shot round the stranded Colony keeper.

Chris, Ross and Craig had hardly had a touch up until this point, but dealt with everything Colony had to offer with ease.

The second goal was not long in coming. After some goal inter play in the Ellon midfield several chances fell to them, but eventually Jordan finished the moved leaving the keeper with no chance.

Ellon were playing with bags of confidence now and breaking for at will. Reece, Michael, Fraser & Craig all had chances but failed to beat either the woodwork or the stubborn Colony keeper.

End of 1st period: Colony 0 Ellon 2

No changes were made at the end of this period as the team were playing very well.

Colony were starting to show some spirit and were dragging the Ellon midfield around and creating openings, but Logan, who has had a quiet start, was up to the task and came out to clear.

Ross was pushing forward on occasion, but Craig was doing a great job in covering him. Chris too was getting forward with some great runs, but at time failed to get the final ball away.

Fraser had a good chance when 1 on 1 with the Colony keeper, but his strong effort just narrowly went past the post.

Matt came on midway through this period for the tiring Fraser.

Colony were still pressing and Craig, Ross and Chris had to be switched on to clear their lines as Colony were getting boys in from balls played over the top, but were denied any clear chances.

Reece had another chance from a through ball, but his attempted lob bounced of the top of the bar.

Jordan and Reece were linking well, and from a Chris layoff Reece neatly turned his marker on the byline and laid the ball on to Jordan, but his cross was just too far ahead of the rushing Michael to finish.

End of 2nd period: Colony 0 Ellon 2

Stuart replaced Reece who was complaining of a sore head, and Martyn replaced the exhausted Michael with Matt returning to the centre of the midfield.

Colony again started this period the brighter team, but Ellon managed to deal with the strong play, with Logan making a few timely saves at the Colony players feet.

Craig had a strong effort towards the end, but the keeper showed great strength to hold the ball.

Colony had a spell of prolonged pressure, with a few corners in succession coming in on top of the Ellon goal, but the ball being cleared each time by the had working Ellon defence.

Martyn had a close shot towards the end after some good hold-up play from Stuart bringing in other Ellon players.

End of 3rd period: Colony 0 Ellon 2

A really good team effort today with all boys showing what they are capable of when they put the effort in to close the other teams down, and dig in to help each other out. If we continue to play with this spirit, determination and togetherness we will make some great progress, as was shown today. The only weakness now is fitness, so training will help this.

Well done boys, us coaches now have a problem with who to leave out of the starting team next Sunday. Keep up the good work.

Next Match: Colony Colts (Away)

This weekend we will be playing Colony Colts.

The match will be played at the Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie. This is the same location as the friendly we played at the start of the season. Directions are below for those who need them.

The kick-off is 10:30 with boys required to be thre at least 30 minutes prior to kick-off to allow for a reasonable warm up etc.

Directions taken from the Sports Centre website are as follows:

From Oldmeldrum

On entering Inverurie you will cross a bridge with traffic lights. Take the second right after the bridge.

At the roundabout go straight on through West High Street, you will then come to a second roundabout where you will again go straight on up Blackhall Road and you will come to a third roundabout.

Take a right round the roundabout and then take the exit on the left after Morrisons entrance. You are now on Burghmuir drive.

We are located approximately 200 metres along the road on the right hand side.

See you all there.

Colts 1 Middlefield 2

Today's match was played in pleasant conditions, with a slight wind.

We went with an attacking line-up for this match. Alex returned to the starting line-up in his usual slot at the back, Michael starting up front with Reece.

Starting team : Logan, Chris, Alex, Jordan, Matt, Ross Michael & Reece. Stuart, Martyn, Fraser & Craig were subs.

Colts started well and were playing the ball about which was great to see as this has been missing from the last few weeks.

An early chance was set up after some fine play in midfield led to Michael playing the ball across goal, but Reece failed to get on the end of the cross.

Colts were making their pressure pay and got corner after corner with some great deliveries from Michael.

The pressure paid off with some good work down the right from Matt feeding Michael who played the ball to Reece to fire a delicate lob over the head of the advancing Middlefield keeper.

Colts were full of confidence and surging forward with every opportunity. Chances fell to Michael, Reece and Jordan, but all went a begging.

Ross was replaced by Fraser. Fraser's introduction led to an immediate impact with his surging runs causing the Middlefield defence problems, but more chances went a begging.

Middlefield did not let the Colts pressure get their heads down and did cause Colts problems on the counter as the Colts midfield were slow in recovering the positions and marking.

Half time : Colts 1 Middlefield 0

Jordan was replaced by Craig at the break.

Middlefield kick-off the second half and seemed to raise their game for this period as they seemed to be hungrier for the ball and would stop at nothing to get the ball. This could not be said for Colts as they seemed to be content to be second to everything and be pushed off the ball without and fight.

Colts were still creating chances with Fraser having several chances along with Reece but neither would make them count.

With every passing minute, and missed chance, Middlefield looked the more likely to score. With some good battling in midfield by Middlefield they would get the reward as Alex and Chris were badly exposed by the lack of midfield in the Colts team, leaving them to cover 4 or 5 players every time Middlefield went forward. A fine passing move led to an easy chance which was well converted by Middlefield.

Colts did not learn from their loss and left the middle of the park to be dominated by the opposition. The second goal came from a mis-timed clearance by Chris, which left Alex exposed. He could do nothing when surrounded by 4 Middlefield players leaving an easy goal.

Stuart replaced Craig who had picked up a knock from the strong Middlefield. Reece was replaced by Martyn. Later Matt had to leave the field after a knock to be replaced by Ross.

Colts failed to rally and the rest of the match was played out mainly in the midfield.

Late in the game Alex had to be replaced by Ross as he was exhausted.

Full time : Colts 1 Middlefield 2

A very disappointing result today as Colts had their best attacking football performance to date. But playing good football does not win you matches if you fail to do the dirty work and stop other teams from playing. Middlefield were by far the hungrier side who would do what ever was necessary to get the ball, and sometime beyond the rules, but this showed how much a win meant to them. Colts must learn from this and show the spirit and determination that is necessary to win at this level.