Posted by robin on September 30, 2007, 10:46 pm Abingdon 2 - Oxford City Colts 3 With three consecutive victories to start the season, Colts travelled to Abingdon in search of another win. Having played so well in previous weeks, Coach Roger Cherry had few selection problems. The team lined up in a similar way to previous matches with Joe Roberson starting in front of the back four for the unwell Mitchell White. Abingdon had experienced a difficult start to the season and so the Colts were full of confidence about maintaining their 100% record. Unfortunately the first half did not go according to plan. Although Colts played some attractive passing football, they failed to create many clear cut scoring opportunities; the ball never seeming to fall to one of the strikers. Frustration set in as the boys struggled to turn their increased share of the ball into goals and as the half progressed Abingdon started to get more possession. With increasing confidence they pressed forward winning a free kick just outside the Colts penalty area. A well struck shot sailed high into the Colts goal to give Abingdon the lead somewhat against the run of play. However, this season Colts have learnt to fight back after going behind. Despite the early set back they kept trying to play the passing game that has worked well in previous matches and three minutes before the break their efforts were rewarded. An Abingdon corner was cleared and the ball knocked forward to Harvey Comely. He controlled the ball and ran through the Abingdon defence before placing the ball in the bottom corner of the goal to give Colts a deserved equaliser. With only a few minutes before half time it was hoped that the boys would not lose concentration but unfortunately within two minutes Abingdon scored again after a through ball was chipped over the advancing Joe Russell. So having worked hard to get back on level terms Colts went in at half time 2-1 down. A stern half time team talk made the boys realise that they needed to work harder to win. Roger moved Bradley Rowbotham forward in the second half, playing with just three at the back. He and Daniel Dennis linked well causing the Abingdon defence constant problems. It was no surprise when ten minutes into the second half the pair combined well as Bradley tucked home the equaliser. However, Abingdon were far from finished and broke well on several occasions forcing some excellent saves from Reece Horwood. Colts went in search of a winning goal and went close a number of times. Inevitably it was Bradley who scored the winner with ten minutes to go, finishing off another excellent passing move. So Colts maintain their 100% record but only just. Possibly a little overconfident at the start of the match, the boys soon realised that they don’t just need to turn up to win games. With some difficult fixtures coming up, they will have to work hard to continue their excellent start to the season. Team: J Russell, A Martin, B Rowbotham, B Muinami, W Beechers, J Roberson, L Williams, G Cherry, H Comley, C Wood, T Walker subs R Horwood, D Dennis, C Adams Man of the Match: 1st half H Comely, 2nd half D Dennis
Oxford City Colts U11 Match Report
30th September 2007
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