Kick-Off: 11:25am

Referee: Brian Marshall

Result: Cotgrave Colts 11 v Clifton F.C. 4

Team:

1. Jack Morris
2. Ryan Birch
3. Robbie O’Donnell
4. Craig Dale
5. Tom Marshall
6. Liam Cooper
7. Will Gill
8. Chris Cockbill
9. Dylan Farrow
10. Macaulay Kilpatrick
11. George Carline
12. Brin Fone

Match Report:

Welcome back to the football season, and welcome to Division 2 football for the Colts. No better opposition than our friends from Clifton F.C.; we have had a number of good games against this team in the past especially at 9 a-side where we shared the League Championship title once.

Today we would be without Richard and Ryan S which meant that certain players had to play out of position again; Ryan B playing at right back (where he had excelled against West Bridgford on Thursday) and Craig Dale playing again at centre half (a position where his excellent reading of the game and positional sense add real value to the team). These moves, and others which would happen during this game show what a versatile bunch of players we have.

Clifton started the game very brightly and their pacy forwards started to cause the Colts problems. That’s said our defence held tight and after 5 minutes we took a surprise lead. Macaulay finished a good sequence of play that Will was particularly involved in.

Five minutes later Colts extended their advantage. More good play by Will set up an opportunity for George and his pace took him past the defender before slamming the ball into the net.

George’s goal was the first of 3 in two minutes. The second was set-up by Dylan for Macaulay to get his second. The third (the Colts 4th of the game) was scored by Dylan; this goal followed Dylan battling to win possession and then continue to chase the loose ball before calmly despatching it.

At 4 nil up with 17 minutes gone the Colts found themselves relaxing a bit which lead to Clifton getting themselves right back in to the game. Not to be outdone by the Colts scoring 3 in 2 minutes, Clifton went on to score 3 goals in 4 minutes. The first was as a result of bad defending by the Colts from a corner the other two goals were well worked and well finished. Full credit to Clifton for coming back; lesser teams would have folded when 4 down.

But the Colts were not going to let this game slip away and 3 minutes after the 3rd Clifton goal Will turned from provider to scorer hitting an excellent drive into the top corner of the net (and out the other side). Full credit to the Clifton goalkeeper, firstly for getting a hand to the shot and secondly for sportingly confirming the referees decision that the ball did enter the goal. I couldn’t see a premiership goalkeeper behaving so well, that said, maybe the goal posts in the premiership wouldn’t have been vandalised (like ours had been) by mindless morons and there would have been no problems with the nets.

The scoring in this half wasn’t over yet and 3 minutes after Wills goal Dylan scored his second of the morning. According to the notes, this was a left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net; it just goes to show that the “both feet” shooting practice is working.

On the stroke of halftime, Clifton once again reduced the deficit scoring a well worked goal.

Half-Time: 6 – 4

Halftime saw some changes; Tom went in goal (a change that is becoming common practice now), Ryan B went upfront alongside Dylan; Brin moved into midfield (in place of Will) and Jack went to right back. Perhaps the biggest change was George going to left back with Robbie switching to centre half to replace Tom. George was very unsure about the change but may have found a new position for himself. Georges obvious pace and tenacity meant that the threat of the Clifton winger was stifled for much of the half.

As in the first half, 5 minutes in was another turning point. Good build up play and an excellent pass by Chris set up a perfect chance for Ryan B who finished with confidence.

A big part of the Colts fine form (started in pre-season and continued today) is due to the players understanding their positions and their roles in the team. A solid defence with Robbie and Craig at its heart is well protected by Liam and Macaualy. The other midfielders give good attacking options and the pace of the forwards is a real handful for defenders. The passing today (especially some of Liam’s through balls) was first class, as was the effort put in by everyone.

Nine minutes after Ryans goal, Macaulay completed his hatrick pouncing upon loose ball in the penalty area.

Six minutes after this, Tom proved what a capable goalkeeper he is becoming pushing a goal bound effort over the bar for a corner.

Seven minutes later Dylan also completed his hatrick with a characteristic goal (running at speed with the ball before despatching it with confidence into the Clifton goal).

Six minutes after this, Jack scored his first league goal for 3 seasons (well, he has been in goal I suppose). An excellent corner was swung and after a scramble in the 6 yard box Jack stepped up an rammed the ball high in the top corner (well that’s what he tells me, I was too busy telling him to get back and defend).

Fulltime – 11 – 4

Summary:

Have no doubt, Clifton are a good side and one that I am sure will go on to do very well this season. They play the game in the right manner and I wish them the very best for the remainder of the season.

I am not sure how to summarise todays performance; there are many superlatives that I could use to describe each and every player. If we can play like this week in week out then the step up to Division 2 should be manageable. But, as we all know, football is an unpredictable game and we will have to be at our best next Sunday against Burton Joyce.

Well done to the whole team today – and remember, as we discussed in the changing room before kick-off, there is no “I” in team, its about what you can achieve together that matters.

Thanks to Brian for refereeing (at very short notice) and to Steve for running the line. Also thanks to everyone who helped take the nets down and to Alli for completing the form.

Feedback: name: john dale

Involvement: Cotgrave Parent

well done today lads you played some great football today. clifton looked a strong side the last time we played them and they looked strong all over the pitch today. it was a funny score and one that does not reflect the game. clifton started off very well but some good defending and goal keeping kept us in it. the difference came when cotgrave got their chances to attack and you punished them with some excellent goals. cotgrave always had the lead by 2 or 3 goals and clifton looked like they could still get back in the game. but every time they pulled a goal back cotgrave kept their nerve and responded with more goals. this was a great start to division 2 football with 2 teams playing good football. well done lads

Feedback: name: Kev Cooper

Involvement: Cotgrave Parent

shows had mad the game was with goals flying in at every opportunity

Half time score was actually 6-3 (clifton got back to 4-2 before we scored again - the ref thought it was 5-3 and Alan 6-4 ...I know I was right

settle for 1-0 win next game