While the scoreline and a couple of narrow late escapes suggest otherwise, the Whites produced some of their best football of an excellent season to date to just about see off the challenge of a battling Trowbridge Town Yellows outfit.
Some of the hosts' play up the slope and into the wind in the first half was superb, with team-mates looking for and finding one another with slick, intelligent passing and chances on goal coming at regular intervals.
The Whites’ customary slow start did not materialise despite the early kick-off time and they soon grabbed the game’s only goal via a very rare source – a header from a corner. Toby’s left-wing delivery was typically accurate and Matthew nodded it firmly past the keeper to give Colts the lead.
Matthew was then foiled by a good one-on-one save from the Trowbridge keeper and that proved to be a theme of the morning, with the visitors’ two impressive custodians equal to everything else that was thrown at them.
Lively wing-backs George and Toby were also denied, while Luke was frustrated more than once by a bobbly pitch as the half drew to a close.
Try as they might, Colts could not double their advantage after the break either. Bradley saw a low shot ricochet wide and then drove just over the bar, Matthew’s thumping effort from distance was just too high and hard-working lone striker Brandon M was always a threat. Luke and Tom linked up effectively on the right and the latter was also narrowly off target with a couple of powerful shots.
Trowbridge remained a real danger on the counter-attack, however, and Josh needed to be on his toes to produces some timely clearances and blocks. An equaliser looked on the cards when, after a spell of frenzied pressure at the other end, their forward nipped past the advancing Max and shot towards and empty net from a tight angle. However, Tom’s lung-busting run saw him get there in the nick of time to clear behind for a corner.
There was still time for some last-minute drama as Trowbridge won a free-kick in a good position on the right. It was struck well but, with the ball sailing towards the net, Max did brilliantly to palm it away in a crowded goalmouth before the defence hacked to safety to secure a hard-earned win.