11 Feb 2008

Donside Juvenile 5 Colts 0

We travelled to Millbank to play Donside on a clear and pleasant morning, a rare occasion for February.

Given the previous good performance against Stoneywood we went with a near identicle starting team, with the only change being Logan replacing the abscent Michael in goal.

Strarting line up: Logan, Alex, Chris, Reece, Jordan, Matt, Fraser & Martyn.

The game kicked of with Colts going straight on attack with Fraser making a good run down the right but failed to deliver a cross into the box.

From the resulting kick-out Reece played the ball with a raised arm whilst trying to clear the ball up field. The Donside free kick was delivered from the half way line straight to the Colts back post, but fortunately there was no Donside player to capitalise. A clear warning of what Donside was capable of.

The game then seemed to settle down with both teams having chances, but the better of them falling to Donside.

Donside took the lead from a corner needlessly given away by Colts. A great cross to the back post was headed home well by the attacking Donside player.

Again the game seemed to settle with Fraser, Matt and Jordan getting chances to get forwad, but each failed to make anything of their crosses to the hard working, but isolated Martyn up front.

Logan had to deal with a few long range efforts, but these did not trouble the returning keeper.

Reece, Alex and Chris were dealing with most of what Donside had to offer, but eventually they found a way through and scored a second.

For the next 15 minutes neither team had any clear chances with both defences playing the better with Alex and Chris getting forward for Colts and Reece sitting deeper to cover them, something that seemed to work quite well.

Ross replaced the tiring Jordan on the left and made a good start with a good run forward, but his shot lacked conviction.

In the dying seconds of the half Donside were awarded a penalty for what seemed to be a good tackle by the Colts defender when he cleared the ball, but the Donside attacker went over in the challenge. The kick was put away confidently, leaving Logan no chance.

Half Time : Donside 3 Colts 0

Fraser was replaced by Craig at half time.

The second half was a lot closer in terms of chances and possession. Colts were making good progress down both wings with Craig doing chasing every ball, and Ross back to his usual self taking control of the ball and surging forward on every occasion. Colts were struggling to deliver a ball in to the strickers though.

Stuart replaced the struggling Martym who had run his socks off.

Matt was getting some good possession in the middle of the park, but perhaps made a few wrong decisions, but he will learn from this and be better for it.

Chris and Alex again were well on top in defence and seem to have settled back in to a good partnership in defence, with Reece playing wel in a deeper role than normal. This was allowing Chris to push forward to get after the Donside midfield and give them no time on the ball.

On the odd forray up beyond the Colts defence, Logan saved well at the feet of the attacking Donside stricker.

With 5 minutes left Reece was replaced by Fraser, pushing Craig back to the defensive role and Fraser returning to the wide role.

Donside got a fourth when Colts were slow to react from a Donside throw and a nothing ball into the box was not cleared and Donside scrambled the ball home.

Fraser was again getting forward but he could not make any telling balls in to Stuart. When Stuart did get the ball he was holding it up well, but Colts were slow to get forward to help.

In the dying minutes Colts were pushing everyone forward for every hrow and corner, of which they had several, but were to pay the penalty as Donside finished off the scoring on a swift counter.

Full Time : Donside 5 Colts 0

Overall a good performance from Colts, especially defensively, but as they failed to create any clear chances they paid the price. A good performance by Donside gave them the deserved victory, however the score did not reflect the true picture of the match.

Keep up this level of performance and we will get the result we deserve.

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