Cotgrave started their league campaign with a good victory against Pegasus Youth Blue. The match was played mostly in the Pegasus half, with occasional breakaways dealt with well by Harry Normington and Ben Halcro. Keeper Nathan Burgin was rarely called into action, though when a Pegasus player chased a short back-pass Burgin demonstrated his bravery in emphatically clearing the ball. Max Robertson caused chaos in the Pegasus defence with his tricky wing play. Robertson set up the first goal after eleven minutes with a right wing cross that was tucked away by Jordan Cumberland, and the second goal twelve minutes later from a left wing cross that was finished at the far post by Lewis Hopkinson.

Although Cotgrave dominated the first half they never looked completely in control of the match, and they never really got their passing game going throughout the game.

The second half continued as the first. Cotgrave pushing forward and Pegasus occasionally attacking on the break, with Normington’ s calm and faultless defending standing out and ensuring Pegasus‘ s shots on goal were rare. Kit Weir dominated in the middle of the pitch and worked hard. The third goal on forty one minutes was a superb individual effort by Cumberland, dribbling the ball round two of three Pegasus defenders before rifling the ball high into the net from the edge of the area. Finally Cotgrave started to use their wingers and full backs to better effect. Thomas Staples driving forward from right back saw a pile-driver of a shot well saved by the Pegasus keeper. Luke Black linked the midfield nicely with the attack and was unlucky not to score on several occasions. David Young was playing some tidy passes from the middle of the pitch and Matthew Hodgett came close with a long-range effort.

In the forty-ninth minute Aidan Sheppard delivered a superb right wing cross that was headed high into the net at the near post by Elliott Coulthard-Gaunt, which was reward for an outstanding display at left back. Three minutes later Cumberland finished from close range for his hat-trick and Cotgrave’ s fifth goal. After that Cotgrave piled forward but could not get the sixth goal.

A good start and something to build on for the season. Well done boys.

Man of the Match: Harry Normington