The Whites avenged last month’s league defeat at Beaversbrook in dramatic fashion as Brandon M’s last-minute winner booked their place in the Wiltshire County FA Cup quarter-finals.
Colts had been outfought and well beaten by a very useful FC Calne side on the same pitch six weeks earlier and went into the third-round tie on the back of an extremely harsh home loss to Highworth.
It was hardly a recipe for success, but the visitors made a determined start and later showed fantastic strength of character after first falling 2-1 behind and then conceding an equaliser with three minutes to go. Aside from a brief spell after the break, they were resolute and organised at the back and, unlike the Highworth game, took their chances when they came along at the other end of the field.
The pacy, direct strikeforce of Liam and Callum caused problems for Calne early on and Colts opened the scoring when the latter finished clinically following a great through ball from Luke.
Tom and Josh stood tall with some tough tackling as Calne tried to find a response and were shielded by the hard-working Matthew, who got through plenty of work in the anchor midfield role.
The hosts then conjured up a fine goal from nothing to level the scores and the tide began to turn in their favour, despite some strong running with the ball from Luke VDB in attack, George’s energetic display on the right and Toby’s neat passing on the left.
Max’s handling was superb as shots began to rain in on his goal but he could do nothing to prevent Calne taking the lead with an accurate effort from the edge of the box early in the second half, with the Colts defence at sixes and sevens following a trio of substitutions.
At that point a repeat of the league meeting between the sides, when Calne came from behind to win 5-1, looked very much on the cards. This time, though, Colts stuck to their guns and turned a see-saw match on its head with two goals in very quick succession.
Liam sent Matthew through the middle and, although his first effort was saved by the keeper, he recovered to find the net with his follow-up attempt despite the attentions of a couple of recovering defenders.
Luke then found himself unmarked in the area following a ricochet and was brought down as he prepared to pull the trigger. Matthew’s penalty was low and to the keeper’s right and the Colts suddenly found themselves 3-2 up.
Bradley made a series of excellent tackles and a couple of fast breaks on the left flank as play began to go from end to end, with George, Brandon M and Matthew all threatening to add to the visitors’ advantage.
Josh showed great composure and positional sense to halt a number of Calne attacks as time ticked away, with Callum clearing the danger more than once.
The hosts forced a couple of corners and when Colts failed to deal with one of them, a spot of pinball in the area led to a close-range finish that left the sides locked together once more.
Extra-time loomed on an increasingly heavy pitch and with the temperature dropping fast. However, just as they did at Salisbury in round one, Colts produced a goal to settle the contest in the final minute of the 60.
Matthew won the ball in midfield and fed Brandon M, who still had plenty to do as he approached the area. He used his strength and pace to force his way between two defenders before drilling a low finish into the corner of the net.
As Calne threw men forward, Colts saw out injury-time without serious alarm to record a thrilling, morale-boosting victory that ensured their proud record in cup competitions continues.
MOM: Josh.