Stonhaven Madrid 3 Colts 2

We had a reduced pool of boys today with Cailean now away as well as Logan and Chris on holiday. This meant Michael making a surprise return in goal and Alex returning to defence.

The starting team was : Michael, Alex, Fraser, Craig, Jordan, Matt, Ross and Reece.

The match was played over 2 x 25 minute halves in mild sunny weather.

Straight from kick-off Colts appeared to be up for the match with wave after wave of attacks, but no clear cut chances from the possession.

On a rare foray up field Madrid punished Colts for a weak clearance with a good strike from.

Almost straight from the resulting kick-off Colts went up field and equalised. A good passing move and a strong shot from Matt brought a good save from the Madrid keeper, only for Reece to pick up the ball and roll in an easy goal.

Colts maintained the pressure and created several opening after some good play from the midfield of Jordan, Matt and Ross.

Colts were again their own worst enemy when Madrid scored 2 goals in quick succession, both from throw-ins where the boys seemed to switch off and lost their marking.

HT : Madrid 3 Colts 1

the exhausted Jordan was replaced by Martyn on the left and Stuart replaced Reece up front.

Colts seemed to raise their game in this period taking in some of the advice at half time with Matt pushing wide and taking players on, Ross and Craig combining well in the middle and Alex and Fraser coping well at the back. Michael was in good form in goal keeping his players in check with constant shouting and also eager to come off his line to take possession.

Fraser to a knock below the knee after only 2 minutes of the half and had to be replaced by a very surprised Reece being pushed into a defensive position for the first time.

Wave after wave of attack by Colts and corner after corner eventually paid off for Colts with Madrid failing to clear and a defender played the ball into his own net under pressure from Alex and Martyn.

On the odd occasion Madrid broke forward Craig, Reece and Alex defended well as a unit and prevented Madrid from getting a single shot on target the whole period.

Colts nearly snatched a draw in in the dying minutes. Stuart had been holding the ball up well and laid a pass on to Matt to cross, but Martyn failed to make clean contact and left the Madrid keeper a chance to save.

FT : Madrid 3 Colts 2

A disappointing result today as Colts deserved at least a draw from this match, but this is the best they have played this season. Some inspirational displays from some surprising players. If they continue to play this way then we will start to see the results to come our way.

Well done boys for your effort, you have given your coaches a real headache for team selection next week!

Sunday 28th October : Stonehaven Madrid (Away)

After our short break, we are off and running again away to Stonehaven Madrid, at Mineralwell, Stonehaven.

Usual arrangements, arrive no later than 10:00 for a 10:30 kick-off.

If anyone is unavailable, please let me know as soon as possible.

Directions

Take the old road in to Stonehaven from the north past the golf course. Go straight on at the mini round-a-bout. After this you cross a small bridge. Immediately after the is a turning on your right (Belmont Brae) which is a steep up hill and there is a small lane to the right of this that heads down hill. Take this lane and follow it for at least 500 yards. The pitches are to your right.



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Meadows Colts 1 Kemnay 6

Colts played their 3rd home game in a row with the weather favourable for good football with the sun out again.

Jordan made his debut today, and Cailean replaced Logan in goal just before kick-of due to an injury.

Today's game was played eight a side, and over 2 x 20 minute halves.

The starting line was Cailean, Chris, Fraser, Jordan, Alex, Michael, Craig & Reece.

Kemnay kick-off and were straight on the attack with some good direct running from their forwards. Colts, having been told earlier, were still not closing down and tackling enough and were soon punished after again some good direct running from Kemnay. This got Colts going and had a good 5 minute spell where they could have got 3 on another day. Michael forced a good save from their keeper from the edge of the box, and from the corner Reece got the ball wide left and tried a looping shot from 15 yards out, beat the keeper, only to see it cannon back of the crossbar. Craig was next to try his luck with an overhead kick, but again saw the keeper pull off a fine reflex save with his elbow. From here the game was going from end to end, but Kemnay were looking the most dangerous. From an Ellon corner, Kemnay got the ball in the middle of the park, and again ran straight at goal and found the net despite a valiant effort by Cailean in goal. A 3rd goal was score by Kemnay, but this time it was from a goal mouth scramble where Colts did not seem to be able to clear the ball. Right on the stroke of half-time Kemnay got a 4th from a good run and shot from their striker.

Half time Colts 0 Kemnay 4

Colts kicked off and seemed to be more up for a battle this half, with Ross replacing Craig, and Matt had replaced Alex late in the first half due to an ankle knock.

Ellon started to move the ball around alot better and was using the width of the park better with Jordan, Matt and Ross all getting wide and getting forward. A good run forward by Michael led to a chance, with Michael choosing to strike, where a pass would have left a tap in for Matt. With Colts pushing forward it left Chris and Fraser a little exposed, but they dealt well with what Kemnay had to offer. Again some good passing between Matt and Michael led to a chance for the advancing Ross, but his strong effort was held well by their keeper. A lapse in concentration by Colts led to another goal for Kemnay with a good shot from distance beating the diving Cailean. Martyn replaced the tiring Jordan. Some good passing and tackling by Colts led to a good ball through for Reece who controlled the ball well before turning and beating his marker and left the keeper with little chance with his swerving shot. Again Colts got forward again with Matt, but his shot went past the post, where a cross or pass would have been the better option. Stuart replaced Reece and Alex replaced the tired Michael. With the final kick of the ball Kemnay scored their sixth.

Full time Colts 1 Kemnay 6

Some good individual performances today, but as a team a better second half performance. We need to learn from this and keep the pressing game going in all of every match, not just in patches.