Churchdown Panthers Colts 2 Charlton Rovers Blues 1
On a bright sunny spring morning the Blues entertained the Churchdown Panthers Colts. The match turned out to be
a game of two halves with the Blues having one of their worst performances of the season in the first half and one
of their best in the second.
The Colts started things off, but for the first 5 minutes neither team was able to threaten. The first chance of the
game arrived in the 6th minute and was created by a lovely through ball from Tim on the half way line. Turning
to his right he threaded a ball through to Ollie who was inches away from touching the ball past the on rushing goalkeeper.
The chance went away and it was left to Joe A to steady the ship from the resultant clearance. Joe managed to
clear the ball into touch. The Blues defence fell asleep at the throw in though. The ball was throw into the area and bounced
between four Blues players and landed at the feet of the stationary Colts striker who was able to slot the ball between
the legs of Henry in the Blues goal to give the Colts a 1-0 lead.
The Blues instantly made some changes but the Colts almost scored straight away. A long ball from the half way line
bounced over Owen's head and the Colts striker tried to chip the on rushing Henry but saw his effort sail over the Blues'
crossbar.
(Dewi chases down the ball against Churchdown Panthers Colts.)
The Colts attacked again, and Henry was forced to palm the ball away for a corner after the Colts striker had rounded the Blues
defence and hit a first time shot. The well worked corner was fortunately snuffed out and resulted in a goal kick.
Soon after the Colts almost scored again but the Blues were able to scramble away two efforts in their area. The relief was temporary
though, and following a long kick from the big Colts goalkeeper, the bouncing ball cleared Joe A and Owen and was
eventually saved by an on rushing Henry, diving at the feet of the Colts striker. Henry quickly cleared his lines and
the long kick bounced over Tim before landing at Joe B's feet. Joe passed to Dewi on the left of the Colts penalty
area. Dewi flicked the ball to Will, but his first time shot sailed over the crossbar for a goal kick. From the goal kick the ball
made its way through to Henry in the Blues goal. He quickly kicked the ball out where it was picked up by the
Colts midfielder. The midfielder turned past Joe A and then passed his shot into the left hand post of the Blues goal
beyond the outstretched dive of Henry to increase the score to 2 - 0 right on the stroke of half time.
Both teams made changes at half time and the second half performance improved considerably. Early on Joe C won the ball
on the edge of his own area and threaded a ball through to the half way line. Dewi sprinted after it and flew past
the Colts defender. His touch took him wide of the goal, but he was able to wrap his foot around the ball and force the
Colts goalkeeper to save and concede a corner. From the corner the ball was cleared into the Blues half of the pitch.
A high foot from a Colts midfielder led to a free kick being awarded to the Blues just inside their half. Joe C
took the kick and launched it towards Dewi on the edge of the Colts area. Dewi turned the Colts defender and the on
rushing Ben lashed the ball into the top of the Colts net to bring the score back to 2 - 1.
(Dewi shoots into the side netting against Churchdown Panthers Colts.)
The Blues were a different team after the goal. Finn and Charlotte were keeping it tight at the back, and the Blues
midfield of Joe C, Tim and Ben were starting to control the game. The Blues forced a corner that Joe C crossed in. The ball
rebounded to Joe C and his first time left footed shot from the corner of the area was palmed away for another corner.
The next corner fizzed across the area and was scrambled away for another corner. This time Ben took the corner and played a
one two with Tim. Ben's in swinging shot went just wide of the Colts upright. From the goal kick, the ball landed at the feet
of Tim, and his right foot shot went right of the gaping net. The Blues were on fire and surely a goal would come.
A move that started with Finn ad Charlotte in defence led to passes from Tim and Dewi and a shot across the face of the
Colts goal that was crying out to be touched goal wards.
The Blues made some more changes and with Will refreshed, he went on a run that saw his shot deflected by the knee
of the Colts defender for a corner. From the corner, Ollie was unlucky to see his header flash past the Colts upright.
Time was running out and when the Blues forced a corner that was scrambled past the Colts upright they knew that the
game was not going to be rescued. The game ended in a 2 - 1 victory to the Colts, but the Blues' second half performance
deserved better.
