Team:

• Liam Cooper
• Jack Morris
• Connor Bartle
• Ryan Shield
• Craig Dale
• Macaulay Kilpatrick
• Max Pashley
• Will Gill
• Dylan Farrow
• Chris Cockbill
• Ryan Birch
• Robbie O’Donnell
• Tom Marshall

Match Report:

At the end of September (2007) Bestwood gave us a “welcome to Division 2” lesson. On that day we never really started; would we show today the improvements that we think we have made since then?

In a few months time weather like today’s (but a few degrees warmer) will be exactly the order of the day; strong consistent winds make for great sailing. But today is for football and the conditions were going to be very difficult indeed. Not only would it be hard to play good flowing football in the high winds, but the lads would have to battle on against the cold (caused by wind chill).

Within a minute of the kick-off we were all walking along in a “Cockbill wonderland” as Chris opened the scoring. Bestwood couldn’t clear the loose ball and despite having a couple of attempts blocked, Chris finally drove the ball over the line.

The early signs were good as the Colts looked to add to their lead. The conditions today meant that it was not going to be a great spectacle for the supporters; the team that would win this would be the one that was prepared to dig deep and battle for everything.

Our defence were holding firm and from an attacking perspective (Will was causing problems for Bestwood with strong running down the right) we looked dangerous. But we were struggling at times to hold up play in midfield and on a number of occasions Bestwood opened us up a little too easily through the centre. Ryan S was moved into midfield to add more bite and performed the role to better effect.

Fifteen minutes in and Dylan popped up with another goal; a good low drive which gave the keeper no chance. At 0-2 up we were starting to look comfortable but to give Bestwood their due they kept coming at us trying to get back into the game. Every time they got through they were thwarted by solid defending and the good positioning by Liam in goal. He made a number of stops that looked straightforward but the truth is they looked straightforward because he had positioned himself well to receive the ball.

On 30 minutes Liam turned from “stopper” to “creator”, his long free kick found Dylan who scored his second and the Colts 3 rd of the game.

Half-Time: Bestwood 0 Cotgrave 3

At half-time Max and Macaulay were re-introduced as the central midfield pairing. All of the boys were told that, whilst they had had a good half they needed to get to the ball first more often. Too many times in the first half, Bestwood were first to the ball and stronger in possession.

Five minutes after kick-off Dylan scored a fourth for the team (3 rd for him in the match). A typical Farrow finish, strong running, shrugged off a couple of challenges and gave the keeper no chance with the shot.

A big part of this game was the defence; Jack, Tom, Craig and Robbie were proving to be a wall that Bestwood just couldn’t break down. There were some great physical battles going on all over the pitch; none more so than the battles Connor and Jack were having with the tallest player on the pitch. They stood up to the challenges superbly and proved more than a match for this difficult opponent.

On 10 minutes, Macaulay scored a great individual goal to make it 5 nil to the Colts. A lead richly deserved and well worked by the whole team.

30 minutes in Bestwood scored a goal that was as much wind assisted as it was deserved (for their hard work in not giving up). A high lofted punt was picked by a swirling gust of wind and the ball was deposited high into our goal. No chance for Liam on that one.

How did the Colts respond? Ryan B scored within 4 minutes. When Ryan was re-introduced to the play (some 10 minutes before) I told him to go on and score – well done Birchy you did exactly that.

Fulltime: Bestwood 1 Cotgrave 6

Summary:

Firstly, well done to Robbie who played his 100 th game for the team today. You and your defensive colleagues put in a performance fitting of the occasion.

(Taken from the feedback section of the last match report against Bestwood)

Feedback: name: Max Pashley Involvement: Cotgrave Player unlucky lads, not many teams will beat Bestwood (apart from us next time we play them). Lets get back to winning ways next week.

Well Max, you were proved right. The performance today shows the improvement in the team of late.

Although I said today’s conditions would make football difficult in the end the boys did play some good stuff despite the force 8 gale and the wind chill factor. They also played some tough stuff too when we needed to.

Well played again to everyone – Sunday afternoons are so much better after a win so thanks for all of your efforts.

We are at home next Sunday (against Netherfield). Training as always will be on Friday 7 til 8 (at Radcliffe).

Alan and Mark.