The Whites marked their first away game in five weeks with victory over last season’s North Wilts League Division 2 champions Highworth Town T at Warneford School.
It was pleasing to see the Colts looking far more comfortable and patient in possession after a couple of weeks’ work on passing and movement in training and they were full value for their victory, with only an outstanding performance from the Highworth keeper preventing a wider margin.
The custodian’s heroics and a battling effort from his team-mates meant the Colts were never truly assured of maximum points until they opened up a three-goal lead for the second time in the match with little over a minute to go.
Matthew curled a free-kick into the keeper’s clutches early on before Tom got to the byline on the right and crossed for Liam to open the scoring from close range. He doubled his and the Colts’ tally soon afterwards when he latched on to a through ball from midfield and rolled his finish into the corner of the net.
Bradley’s excellent free-kick opened up the defence once again and Matthew timed his run to perfection before seeing his effort come back off the Highworth number one’s legs. The shot-stopper then claimed Brandon H’s lofted shot from distance and then acrobatically turned Liam’s drive around the post.
Colts were doing most of the attacking but Highworth broke well and quickly throughout the game and Luke S needed to be alert with a couple of smart saves to protect their two-goal cushion before half-time. Max showed strength and composure in front of the defensive line and, like Callum and Bradley, used possession sensibly.
The visitors made a fast start to the second half as a good move saw the ball worked to Tom on the right and again he produced a pinpoint centre for George to finish well.
But as they had in the previous game, Colts suffered a lapse in concentration and Highworth swiftly pulled a goal back, scoring into an empty net after Luke S kept out their initial effort.
Toby, George and Matthew combined to create a series of chances as the game wore on but the Highworth keeper twice denied Luke VDB, who went agonisingly close to capping an energetic display on the left with a couple of goals.
The hosts squandered a golden chance to narrow the gap at the other end before Liam finally made sure of the points, completing a deserved hat-trick after wriggling past four players inside the area.