Team:

Football is a game all about opinions and clichés; on that basis tonight’s game was certainly all about football.

Playing under floodlights for the first and perhaps last time this season, the scene was set for a cracking game of football. As Mark and I set up the nets we marvelled at the excellent facilities that presented themselves before us; a great pitch, floodlights, fencing and dug outs this was going to be a good experience for everyone concerned.

At the beginning of the season we were struggling to pull together enough players to form the squad, tonight we had 16 players on duty.

Due to travel problems the game was 5 minutes late kicking off, so at 7:05pm Wilford got the proceedings underway.

For the first few minutes it was all Colts and with 3 minutes on the clock, Dylan scored the first goal of the night. Tonight was a special night in his house because it marked his sisters 17 th birthday. Sarah-Jane gave up the chance of a party to watch and support her brother in action: who said that siblings are rivals?

Two minutes later Dylan scored again, this time incepting an excellent pass from Liam before putting the ball past the Wilford keeper.At 2-0 and coasting the Colts were playing some good football and the management could relax and enjoy the luxury of the dug out – well they could have except for the fact the bench was full of players eager to get on.

Football has a habit of being two sided and Wilford reminded us of this on 10 minutes by reducing the deficit. The reason for the goal: we didn’t close down the player with the ball in the 18 yards box. A simple and sadly often repeated mistake by the Colts.

Not to worry, 5 minutes later Dylan presented his sister with the perfect birthday present – his 3 rd goal (at hatrick). This was an excellent strike and one that must go down as an early contender for “goal of the season”.

The problem was that this was not all about the Colts and 10 minutes later WIlford reminded us of their presence by scoring again. 3-2.

Half-Time: 3-2

At half-time we discussed the need to impose our presence in midfield and start to close down the Wilford attacks more rigorously. They were a side with 4 or 5 very good players and they were keen to get back into this game.

With 14 minutes of the half gone Wilford levelled the scores and 21 minutes later they won the game.

Fulltime: 3–4

Summary:

Tonight promised much but in the end delivered little. There are many reasons why we maybe lost tonight but one things for sure, the players didn’t deserve to loose. For long periods of the game (certainly when we were 3-1 up) we were the strongest team. We played good football at times but once again we conceded too many goals. This is not down to individuals (and it is certainly not down to our goalkeepers) it is a team thing and we need to get it right. Here is my only cliché “defence starts in attack”.

Well done to Dylan for his hatrick, Connor for an excellent performance and Richard for showing that despite being involved in other sports he is still a great right back. Well done also to every other player involved, you all tried your best and showed that, with more luck, you can certainly compete in this division.

Finally, hardluck to Brin. Sadly he didn’t get on tonight as time ran away from us, but he is a player for the future and his chance will certainly come again. Thank you for being understanding.

Thanks to Brian for running the line (and fixing the stanchion) and to Ian Lynn (Colts chairman) for making the arrangements for the game.

Hard luck boys, keep trying harder in each match and before long you will get your just deserts.

Alan and Mark.