17th SEPTEMBER 2006
Colts start with opening day win
Following pre-season training expectations are high for this season as the Colts aim to finish it, with promotion into the Premiership !… This seasons opening day fixture was a cracker with entertainment, good football, goals and controversy too.
The Colts started the brighter and were rewarded with a goal on the 10-minute mark. Stuart headed the ball into the path of James direct from the keeper’s drop kick. James then scored with a first time left foot screamer from about 25 yards. An early contender for goal of the season. Wonderful start, 0-1.
Playing 4-3-3 was always going to create chances. Nathan, Stuart and James were seeing plenty of the ball already. Then against the run of play a 40-yard free kick dropped into our box and bounced high up and into the top corner.1-1 and 18 minutes played. JJ, Jack and Scott were “big” in midfield for us today winning tackles and headers alike. Winning more headers was particularly good to see.
As half time approached we capitalised on another poor goalkeeper clearance. Nathan lept and won the ball with his head and fed Stuart with a great first time pass. The keeper came of his line and tackled Stuart but his quick feet created the time to slide the ball into an empty net. 1-2. 32 minutes on the clock. HALF TIME.
The defence of Ben (making his debut) George, Ollie and Remy were well in control at the back. Leon (making his debut too) and David added some style to the midfield. Things were looking good then when Stuart made it 3-1 in the 41st minute when the keeper kicked the ball straight to him in front of goal. Thanks very much!
All attention turned to the referee in the 53rd minute when he overruled the linesman and allowed play to continue from an offside position and a goal resulted.2-3. The Colts then had their best spell of the game creating a half dozen of great chances but missing them all. Would it cost us we all wondered ?
Purley’s long ball tactics caught us out in the 68th minute when they won a corner and as we tried to clear the ball it was sliced backwards playing three Purley boys on side. A neat finish ensued. 3-3 and a game we had dominated was slipping away from us.
But full credit must go to us for pushing everyone forward in a positive attempt to win the game. Then 4 minutes into injury time we won a corner. James floated the ball over, Remy wanted it more than anyone else and jumped high in the air with a Purley defender. Remy did just enough to take his eye of the ball and the Purley lad buried the header into the bottom corner. 3-4. FINAL SCORE.
MOM nominations. Remy, JJ, Scott and Ben but the clear winner was Jack