An excellent performance scores 9/10
It might be a New Year but the Colts started 2006 just like they finished 2005 with some breathtaking football. Even the rain couldn’t dampen this Colts performance.
James opened the scoring as he swept home Richards cross into the corner. 0-1 and just 4 minutes played. James doubled our lead with his second after a neat one two with Jack A-B on the 9-minute mark. 0-2. The boys were flying at this point. Richard then hit a screamer from the edge of the box that was goal bound until Jack A-B toe poked it to the other side of the goal sending the keeper the wrong way. 0-3. 14 minutes on the clock. Frank standing in for Rhys was keeping warm at this point!!
Nathan had chances but a fine display by the Battersea keeper kept him out all afternoon. Jack O, JJ and then Scott all worked really hard in midfield closing down any Battersea attack. Then came Goal of the Season – if only for JJ’s cheeky-ness. The keeper came out of his box to clear the ball, but hit it straight to JJ who was just inside the Battersea half. He then hit a tremendous first time shot up over the keeper and it just made it over the line before a Battersea defender lunged at it. 0-4. 21 minutes played, which is how it stayed until half time.
Stuart was brought on for the second half such is the quality of our squad this season. He then set up James’s hat trick as headed the ball into his path for James to finish coolly. 0-5 after 42 minutes. The defence was reshuffled with George, David and Michael fitting in round Ollie and Remy who had everything under control at the back with their second clean sheet in a row.
Jack O’s blocked shot fell to Stuart to rifle home. 0-6 and 45 minutes played. Nathan who was working tirelessly down the right delivered a great cross for Stuart to smash it into the top corner and make it 0-7. 47 minutes played. Richard then capitalised on Stuarts air shot to make it 0-8 on the 49 minute mark. Completing an amazing 4 goals in 7 second half minutes. Cracking stuff with just a little bit still left in the old tank.
The 9th and final goal was a splendidly worked free kick. Remy tricked the Battersea defence and played it wide to Nathan who flicked it straight into the area to the feet of Stuart who finished neatly into the corner in the 56th minute. The Colts then declared at 9 for 0 to send them Top of the League for the first ever time. Bring it on !!
MoM nominations were plentiful. Richard, Nathan, David, Ollie, Jack A-B and JJ all got mentions but the speed, crossing and finishing in the first half meant James won it. Absolutely fantastic TEAM COLTS.