Posted by Robin on March 9, 2008, 7:01 pm
Oxford City Colts U11 Match Report
9th March 2008
Oxford City Colts 8 - Abingdon 1
Looking at the result it might appear that Colts dominated this encounter with bottom of the table Abingdon, but for the majority of the first half this was certainly not the case. In the previous meeting between the two sides earlier in the season Colts twice came from behind before finally wining a tight game 4-3. For the return fixture Colts were missing a number of players through illness and injury and Coach Roger Cherry was force to make changes to the team. He started with 4-4-2 formation moving Brian Muinami to partner Wayne Beechers in attack.
On a bright and windy morning the game started slowly with neither team able to hang on to the ball. After a rather scrappy 15 minutes of football Abingdon forced the first corner of the game. Colts wasted several opportunities to clear allowing one of the Abingdon strikers to open the scoring with a header at the far post. This was the wake up call Colts needed and soon after the boys started to pass the ball around and attack the Abingdon goal. Charlie Wood caught the eye as he burst down the left flank on a number of occasions. Both Wayne and Brian were unlucky not to score as the Abingdon defence under increasing pressure held firm. But as the half progressed Colts’ domination increased and a deserved equaliser came after 25 minutes. Brian received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and with great skill beat a defender before slotting the ball into the corner of the net. Three minutes later Colts were ahead when Wayne ran on to a through ball and delicately chipped the advancing keeper.
Shortly after, the half time whistle sounded with Colts leading and in control of the game. All Roger needed to do was tell the boys to continuing playing as they had for the last few minutes of the half. The second period started with Colts playing with the wind behind them and after five minutes they increased their lead. Bradley Rowbotham’s well placed free kick picked out Grady Cherry who squared the ball for Harvey Comely to rifle home from close range. Shortly after Grady added to the lead as he chipped the ball over the Abingdon keeper from the left hand corner of the box.
Abingdon with their confidence draining away fought on bravely but struggled to cope with the Colts’ onslaught. Almost every attack led to another goal and Joe Roberson made it 5-1 as he helped the ball home from a cross which the defence failed to clear. With Colts now rampant, Bradley, who had an excellent game at the heart of the defence, came forward to shoot fiercely past the Abingdon keeper. With the game all but over, Roger gave keeper Joe Russell a few minutes on pitch and Joe duly obliged by seizing on a goalkeeping error at the other end to score his first league goal for Colts. And just as the rain started to fall and the crowd awaited the final whistle Charlie Wood scored Colts eighth goal to round off an excellent second half.
So after the two recent defeats, Colts returned to winning ways. As the boys have not scored as many goals as most of their rivals this season, the performance is particularly satisfying and will hopefully increase the boys’ confidence in front of goal. Many thanks to Stuart for an excellent job as referee and to Dave for running the line. Also thanks to Kelly for the post match refreshments.
Team: J Russell, A Martin, H Comely, C Adams, L Williams, L Holt, J Roberson, B Rowbotham, C Wood, B Muinami, W Beechers, sub G Cherry,
Man of the Match: 1st half C Wood, 2nd half G Cherry
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