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.