Team:

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

Match Summary:  

Last league game today and the best Sunday morning weather of the season. The pitches have held up a lot better than last season and the playing surface was excellent.

Keyworth United were the visitors and although we had beaten them only a few weeks ago, we knew that they would be up for this game as much as we were. The last time they came to our place they went away 1-4 winners. We wanted to end the season as we started it with a good performance and a win; the boys were unbeaten in 6 games prior to this match (including 5 wins).

We decided to try a different formation today so opted for a 3-5-2 formation; this would mean a lot of running for Will and Connor as “wing backs”. We haven’t deployed this tactic before and in the first half my view was that “some bits worked” and “some bits did not”. When we were defending we seemed to be being out numbered on occasions, however, what did work well was that our central midfield seemed to be holding up better than it did in the first half against Keyworth a couple of weeks ago.

With 10 minutes on the clock Liam was very quickly down to block an attempt at his near post, deflecting the ball behind for a corner. Goalkeepers always need to be alert and be aware of their angles; Liam was and did exactly that to keep the scores level.

On 32 minutes Dylan opened the scoring with a goal that resulted from his battling for the ball in the penalty area. Just before the goal Dylan thought he had scored but Ben (the Keyworth keeper) pulled off a fantastic save to deny him. Minutes later Liam, not to be out done by Ben, made a great save of his own, diverting the ball behind for a corner when the ball looked destined for the back of the net.

The half was extended due to the injury time added when Sam and Tommy (Keyworth) accidentally clashed heads when both players battled bravely for the ball in the Colts penalty area. It was in this added time that Colts added a second goal, scored by Dylan but set-up brilliantly by Will. Storming down the right wing, taking on and beating two players, Will headed to the goal line; looking up he pulled the ball back across the face of the goal into the path of Dylan who despatched the ball into the net.

Halftime: 2-0  

At halftime we decided to revert to 4-4-2; the reason being that Keyworth were getting more players forward then we were getting back and whilst we were 2 goals ahead we thought Keyworth might still get back into the game.

Ryan joined the game at left back (Robbie was not going to be able to feature much today due to the injury he sustained against Wollaton on Wednesday). Although right footed, Ryan has played in this position a few times this season and has done very well. Jack would continue at right back with Craig and Tom our centre halves. Chris moved up front with Dylan (George had covered a lot of ground in the first half and was given the chance to re-charge his batteries); Connor and Will continued as the wide players with Max and Sam the central midfield pairing.

Chris is starting to develop the more physical side to his game and during the first half (when playing in central midfield) he battled for and won most of the 50/50 challenges he went in for. This is an important progression for every player as they get older and the game becomes more demanding. As the half progressed he was showing the same determination partnering Dylan up front.

As the half went on the football the Colts were playing included some very good passing movements with good link up play through from defence to midfield and into attack. Sam in particular was showing good skill on the ball and good vision as he tried to set-up the 3 rd goal for the Colts.

When the 3 rd goal did come it wasn’t Sam who set it up, it was Dylan. A good cross in from the right was picked up by Max who finished the chance with great confidence.

Three minutes later Max added another goal. The chance was created by good work from ever impressive Connor.

The Colts were by now well on top; however, the lads were as keen to keep a clean sheet in this game as they were to add another goal. In fact Liam was keen to do both; despite being told to return to his goal when he kept “wondering” towards the Keyworth goal he was given the opportunity to go forward to take a free kick just outside the Keyworth penalty area. Unfortunately the free kick did not find the back of the net but at least Liam made it back to his own goal before the ball did!

Before the end Max completed his hatrick (his first for the Colts) to make the score 5-0.

Robbie joined the play for the last 5 minutes as he was keen to be involved in the last league game of the season. On Wednesday he tweaked his hamstring so we didn’t want to push thing too much so that he has every chance of being 100% fit for the tournament.

Full time: 5-0  

Summary:

Today it was good to score 5 goals and even more pleasing to concede none. The defence (Liam, Jack, Craig, Tom, Ryan and Max – all playing some role at some point in the match) worked hard and played with great determination throughout.

Well that’s the season over; 5 th placed finish which is a good achievement in the first season in Division 2. Next season if the boys can start the season as they have finished it and maintain a decent level of consistency then they might be able to push on towards the top and maybe promotion to Division 1. It is down to them and how they perform as a team.

There have been many positive things this season; Dylan’s goals, Liam never being on the losing side in a league or YEL trophy match when in goal, but most of all every player has played their part and the players have become a team.

Well done for what has been a good season – we hope that next season the team moves onwards and upwards but most of all, that everyone enjoys the experience of playing.

Thanks to Ian Lynn for refereeing – one of the Keyworth players said Ian’s performance had been the best he had seen from a referee this season. You wouldn’t get that comment from a player on the losing side in the professional game!

Thanks also to John for running the line – sorry about the lack of off-side decisions you were asked to call!

Thanks to everyone else that helped out today dismantling nets and goals; completing administration and other jobs that needed doing after the game. As always your help is appreciated.

Finally to the players; well done you have done yourselves proud this season.

In advance, good luck next season.

Alan and Mark.