Team:

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

Match Report:

Our second evening game of the season saw us return to the Pit after being on our travels for the previous 5 games. With a fully fit squad to pick from the decision regarding the starting line-up is not easy especially given that all of the players seem to be in a good run of form over the past few games.

For the second week running the Colts did not get off to the best of starts and after 9 minutes found themselves 0-1 down. The Burton Joyce (BJ) number 19 picked up wasn’t closed down quickly enough, and his considerable pace took him quickly towards the goal. There was no challenge made, and he finished in style.

For the second week running the Colts showed that they would not roll over when going a goal down and 6 minutes after the BJ goal Dylan equalised the score. The chance was made for him by an excellent pass from Sam who was making his home debut for the Colts.

Five minutes later Macaulay put the Colts into the lead. We often tell the forward players that they need to follow in every shot just in case the keeper parries a shot; this is what the BJ keeper did to Dylan’s effort but Macaulay was on hand to ram home the loose ball.

Half-Time: 2 – 1

There were a lot of positives in the first half; Macaulay and Connor had been linking up superbly well; the passing and the movement was excellent to watch – absolute text book stuff. The central midfield pairing of Sam and Max were working to good effect and Jack, Robbie, Craig and Tom were solid at the back. Liam in goal was putting in another high quality performance in goal, especially with his accurate and long distance kicking. Dylan up front was doing what he does; he scored a goal and look dangerous.

For the second half we introduced a change to the formation and took something out of the Arnold game last week. We decided to give Will a man-to-man marking job to do. He has not been asked to do this before but we saw the BJ number 19 as a serious threat. How would the speedy Will cope with the task?

Ryan was now playing at left back and although not left footed was doing a good job of stopping the threat of the BJ right winger. Ryan is a very versatile player as recent performances have shown.

Twenty minutes into the second half Chris increased the Colts advantage with another goal scored by the player intelligently following in on a shot and picking up the rebound from the goalkeepers initial save. It was a good first save as well so sympathies to the BJ goal keeper but a big well done to Chris for getting his 8 th goal of the season.

The last time we played BJ it was a close encounter and today was no different. Three minutes after Chris’ goal BJ scored again to get themselves right back in it.

But, the Colts don’t give in and George almost responded immediately with a goal of his own. He found space on the edge of the box but the keeper was equal to the shot and the score stayed the same.

We didn’t have to wait too long for another Colts goal and 4 minutes after the concession Dylan scored his second of the day and 40 th goal of the season. He had come closed with a header just before the goal after out jumping the defence – sadly the effort went inches wide.

Fulltime – 4 – 2  

Summary:

Well how did Will do with his man-to-man marking job? The answer is “very well indeed”. The player he was marking did manage to score a goal in the 2 nd half but had Will not done such a good job he would surely have scored more and the end result would have been very different. So well done Will a great 2 nd half by you this evening.

Another game down and another 3 points in the bag. On top of that, and most importantly, another generally good performance. We can still all see areas where improvements are needed but, overall the lads should be very pleased with themselves.

Special thanks to Ian and Vanda for all of their help prior to and after kick-off. Also, thanks to Brian for his help in the warm-up and running the line tonight. Thanks also to everyone else that helped tonight – I know that after the match all the nets were taken down and put away and the ropes removed and I didn’t have to do any of it. Your help is much appreciated.

Big derby game on Sunday away at Keyworth. Lets keep the good run going.

Well done lads.

Alan (and Mark – away tonight with Keyworth Under 10’s).