MATCH: Castle Combe Colts U13 Blacks  V Trowbridge Wanderers U13 White                                                                   DATE: 28^th September 2014                                                                                                                                                 GROUND: Castle Combe Sportsfield, Upper Castle Combe                                                                                                   REFEREED BY: Matthew Kirtley                                                                                                                                             MOTM: Ethan Cabral

Castle Combe Colts’ third game of the season came at home today against Trowbridge Wanderers U13 White. Who Castle Combe again have to play the following week. And it was the away team who left with all three points on their first encounter beating the home side 4-8.

With the kick off time being rearranged for 2pm instead of the planned 9:30am it made for a warm and sunny afternoon and perfect playing conditions for the two teams. And it was the away side Trowbridge who got themselves off to an early lead with two quick goals leaving Castle Combe 0-2 down within only 10 minutes being played. But shortly after Charlie Viney scored what could already be goal of the season only three games in with an absolute screamer of a free kick (after Sam Matthews was fouled from trying to hold the ball up) which everyone could only stand and admire as it flew in to the top left hand corner of the goal.

The goal seemed to liven the team up who were unusually quiet on the day and there was now a bit more urgency about their play. But the Colts couldn’t capitalise on their goal and it was instead the away team who started to pull away by scoring four goals. Which were all well taken and the majority being placed high in to the roof of the net. Trowbridge now led 1-6 and I’m sure a few players started to panic after last week’s result. But credit to them for still fighting and shortly before half time Sam got himself on the score sheet with a shot low to the left of the goal. Assisted by Ailbe after some good work on the right hand side. Trowbridge led 2-6 at the break.

Some changes at half time led to the earlier goal scorer Charlie Viney replacing Bradley Orchard in goal in a straight swap. After some encouraging words the boys began the second half and despite being 2-6 down continued to fight and they now seemed a tougher unit. With Bradley now appearing to run everywhere and getting tackles in. But it was Trowbridge who added to their score, scoring two more goals to extend their lead to 2-8.

Again the boys continued to chip away and they will be unhappy they managed to throw away a few good chances after having the Trowbridge defence outnumbered but the home side could not make their efforts count. The Trowbridge defence held firm and always cleared their lines from any danger with the away team’s right back being opposition man of the match for me as he never put a foot wrong and dealt with everything that came his way. He also later somehow caught up with Combe’s Josh Bolwell who was put clean through by Sam and managed to get ahead of him to clear the ball.

Towards the later stages of the game Trowbridge appeared to tire slightly and again the home side started to have more numbers in the opposition half. But this time they managed to capitalise on their chances and pull a couple of goals back. The first being an unfortunate own goal for the away side after Combe’s Freddie Goodway played a dangerous ball into the opposition box and one of the Trowbridge defenders could only stick his leg out and see the ball trickle into his own net to make the score 3-8. Castle Combe then scored again when Bradley calmly slotted the ball in to the left hand corner of the goal after another assist from Ailbe on the right hand side that never stopped running and his hard work paid off with two assists on the day. With the score now 4-8 Castle Combe appeared to be on top but the start of the comeback came a little too late and referee Matthew Kirtley blew the final whistle.

If Castle Combe can start next week’s game the same as they finished this one then result could be a different story and I hope the boys are raring to get at Trowbridge again and show them what they can do. A big thanks to all the people that helped before and after the game and a thank you to all the parents and spectators on the sidelines who as always gave the boys great support. The match was well refereed by Matthew Kirtley who as far as I am aware didn’t put a foot wrong and allowed the game to be played through fine.

Well done to the boys who put in a brave second half performance and gave Trowrbridge a run for their money. Let’s hope we can get off to the same start next week. Well done to Matt Spadaro on his debut for Castle Combe who took a nasty ball to the nose in the first half and Josh Bolwell who also picked up a couple of injuries and both continued to play on. And also a well done to the away team who played some good football and put their chances away.

Man of the match on the day was Ethan Cabral. A consistent performer for the team and made a number of vital tackles and interceptions on the day. As well as now starting to bring the ball confidently out of defence and playing it forward. After some talking to at half time he got his defence sorted and made it tougher for the opposition to get through. Although it has to be said Combe’s right back David gave the coaches a tough choice as he played a brilliant game for himself and continues to improve.  Ethan also managed to get himself a couple of shots at goal although I am sure they will be ones he would soon rather forget…..Well done Ethan!