The Whites came up short against Highworth for the second time this season as a lack of physicality and drive across the pitch once again prompted their downfall.
After weathering an early spell of pressure, the Colts seemed to be containing a potent Highworth strikeforce as Bradley, Josh and Luke VDB worked well as a unit at the back and Tom and Luke S made a number of important interventions in front of them. But they fell behind from a corner – their Achilles heel so often in recent times – when Max’s punched clearance fell kindly for a Highworth player in a crowded box.
Liam F provided a useful outlet on the right as the Colts looked to spread the ball wide in order to create chances against a sturdy Highworth defence, but his crosses into the box went unrewarded – as did dangerous free-kicks from Matthew and Toby on the same flank.
Max made a great save with his feet as Highworth fashioned a one-on-one chance, but the ball ricocheted off a covering defender and presented the striker with a tap-in for the second goal of the afternoon.
It was one that left the Colts with it all to do against a good side but, to their credit, they responded well and Matthew’s magnificent, determined run from deep inside his own half ended with a fine finish from George and the gap was cut to a single goal on the stroke of half-time.
The Colts were unable to build on the morale boost it gave them at the interval, however, and – for the second time in the match – Max was left helpless after making an excellent save as Highworth made it 3-1. The home keeper dived to his left to parry a curling effort from outside the area and the defence stood still to allow the league’s leading marksman a simple finish.
The forward went on to score twice more to complete another hat-trick but the damage would have been even worse had it not been for the efforts of Bradley, who set a shining example to his team-mates with a tenacious performance against an opponent who towered above him.
At the other end, the Colts were unable to fashion enough chances to find a way back into the game, despite Matthew running himself into the ground for the cause. Their second goal made the score 4-2 and offered brief hope, with Toby and Tom doing well on the edge of the box and the ball running loose for George to complete his double.