Last gasp winner sends Colts through
The Colts showed some steel today in a muddy encounter. It wasn’t pretty but we stuck to our guns and deservedly won the game to progress to our first ever semi-final. All the boys showed a mature character to win this tough game. Santley started the quicker to be fair, they were obviously used to playing up the side of a hill on a very muddy and sticky pitch. But as the game went on the midfield four, specifically picked for this game, began to take control. Frank and Jack and particularly JJ and Scott had outstanding games. They huffed and puffed yes, but they also played some neat one two’s to drive the Colts forward and take the game to Santley United.
Chances were few and far between. The first real opportunity of the game produced the opening goal of the game. James played Stuart though with a fantastic defence splitting pass, Stuart was off like a flash and just poked it past the keeper on the edge of the box, before the keeper smashed into him. 0-1 (20) and game on.
Remy, Ollie, Ben and George were never really troubled in the first half as the midfield were playing so well. Leon and David came on and also made positive contributions, particularly David who had his best game for the Colts this season the coaches thought. The score line remained the same to the break. HALF TIME.
Like the first half Santley started brightly but the conditions made it very difficult for either side to play entertaining football. With about twenty minutes to go the Santley goalkeeper came and played out field and the left back went in goal. His intentions were very clear to see as his used his physical strength to barge through his first four or tackles. His addition to the midfield seemed to wake Santley up and they really took the game to the Colts. Rhys kept them at bay twice until they scored from a corner only a few minutes from full time. 1-1 (67)
The stand in referee had had a quiet game so far but two minutes into the first period of extra time he was called upon to show the outfield goalkeeper the red card. As he and JJ went for a 50-50 ball he came straight over the top of the ball and took JJ out above the kneecap. JJ stood up happy to play on with the free kick but the player frustrated by this raised both hands and pushed him over!
With five minutes separating us from penalties Stuart, James and Nathan were asked to play three upfront in a positive attempt to win the game. As we entered stoppage time James moved the ball out wide then crossed it right under the cross bar, over the keepers hands and into the bottom corner. 1-2 (80) and the game was over….or so we thought!
21.1.07 Key learning point: SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO ROLL YOURSLEEVES UP AND GET STUCK IN TO WIN GAMES.
M.O.M nominations from the coaches came for David, Jack and JJ but we thought Scott was all over the park today. Well done Scott well deserved.