| U9 Red Division: Bishops Cannings 7 CCCFC Blacks 0 |
 |
| Season 12/13 - Under 9 Black & White |
|
The low sun was still low in the sky as the crowd gathered at the pitch near Devizes. The Colts knew that this was going to be a tough test as they lined up to face their competition, who were well up for the match and keen for a first win of the season. As the boys faced each other to shake hands it was obvious from the outset that this was going to be a battle of the physical as well as skill. It was a day for the Colts to be brave. After kick-off the boys looked good and settled well. Caleb and Alex, in particular, were working hard and always looking to pass but despite good position the Colts were unable to find an opening. Soon the Bishops started to show home form, moved well and started making chances. The pressure resulted in a goal for the home team. This shocked the Colts and a second was fired in quickly after. In goal Kyron was called on several more times after this and solid tackles from Alex and Dylan seemed to help the Colts settle well. Rowan was now battling hard in midfield and Luca was a stalwart in defence, clearing and distributing well. Despite the effort, third and fourth goals were conceded before the half-time whistle blew. The boys were keen to get out and show what they were made of in the second half and Kyron continued to put in a good performance making some fine, brave saves that kept the Colts in the game. However, luck was not on the visitors’ side as bounce after bounce and loose ball after loose ball seemed to land at the feet of a Bishops Cannings player, resulting in two more goals from rebounds and loose balls. Despite being several goals down the boys didn’t lose heart and soon entered their best spell of the day. League debutant Brandon had been superb all day and soon found space to play James in. James, who hadn’t seen much of the ball, was suddenly looking very sharp and it was only a combination of last-ditch tackles and superb goal keeping that stopped Colts pulling a few goals back. Sam had been resolute in defence all morning and his brave header certainly stopped a through ball that the Bishops forward was ready to pounce on. Unfortunately Sam was injured in this action and had to sit out the last few minutes. The Colts were still working hard so pushed forward in search of an elusive goal. Luca, Brandon, Caleb and James came close as they put pressure on in the final third. Alas, the goal was not to come. As the match drew to an end and the Colts continued to push on, a long ball found the lone Cannings striker, who, despite some superb positioning from Kyron, showed great skill in dinking it over the keeper to score the hosts’ seventh. A tough morning for the Colts but heart and work-rate couldn’t be faulted by the coaches. Sometimes no matter how hard you work, it’s just not your day…. |