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.