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Hope Farm JFC Tournament -
Sunday 3rd June 2007
Squad:James Bolton,Joe
Polding,Andrew Fox,Harry
Hughes,Matthew
Rawson,Christian Davey,Seb
Cartwright,Fraser
Wills,Connor Evans
Match Report:Dave Bolton
After losing our first 2
games 1-0 and yes 1-0 again
were the boys getting used
to losing? To be fair games
are close but we aren't
winning.
I thought we were going home
early again but for once
things were about to change
after a 0-0 draw in our next
game.
Then we had our best game in
the year we've been
together.A 3-0 win against
Young Lion Colts. Goals from
Man of the tournament
Joe,outstanding Andrew Fox
and a wonder goal from
Harry. Still no thought
though of progressing in the
group.
The boys now grew in
confidence with great play
in the next game with a late
winner from James Bolton
against Eastham Rangers.
The next two results 0-0
against Vauxhall "C" and 0-0
against Young Lion Colts
left us all biting are
nails.We rode our luck in
the last game and only great
goalkeeping from Matt and
great defending from
Connor,Christian and Seb
kept us in it.
Were we through? 10 minutes
later (seemed like an hour)
the news came back the Colts
were through to their first
semi final.Yes you read it
right.
In the semi we drew Victoria
Colts. 5 minutes each
way.Fraser kept us in it
with a fantastic save.Desire
not to lose from the boys
saw the game go to extra
time. There was a strong
suspicion we played for
penalties, well they might
be right!.
Oh boy how's your nerves?
First penalty saved by
Fraser
Colts first penalty Harry
top corner - I was never
in doubt
Victoria scored with their
second penalty
The Colts saw Joe score with
his left foot
Victoria scored with their
third penalty
Andrew Fox powered home his
penalty to make it 3-2
Victoria scored to make it
3-3
James slots home his penalty
in the corner (cool as you
like) to make it 4-3
Fraser coolly saves their
last penalty and we're in
the final against Vauxhall
"A".
In the final we ran out of
steam and were losing 1-0 at
half time and 2 goals in the
final minutes meant we lost
3-0. No shame. My lads gave
me everything. They gave
110%, kept their positions
and went up another level. I
am very proud of them all.
Let's hope we can do again
soon and maybe one day go
one better. Just keep
believing and keep the hard
work up. Well done boys. You
made me proud!
Newton Athletic
Tournament 19 May 2007
Squad: James Bolton,Matthew
Rawson,Christian
Davey,Fraser Wills,Harry
Hughes,Matthew
Sheridan,Andrew
Fox,Sebastian Cartwright,Joe
Polding
Goalscorers: Matthew
Sheridan x 4
Man of the
tournament; Matthew
Sheridan
Match 1: Colts vs. Whitby
Rangers
The boys started with fine
attacking play, and a number
of shots rained in on the
Rangers keeper, who had
clearly been practising hard
and made some impressive
saves to stave off the
Colts. A jumble in the Colts
penalty area saw the ball
slip into the net to leave
them trailing 0-1, which was
how the match finished, and
as is often the case, a draw
might have been a fairer
result.
Match 2: Colts vs. Newton
Athletic “A” team
Pretty much a repeat of the
last match as the Colts
found themselves losing
despite having had the run
of play. Unluckily, a
stunning shot from Mathew
Sheridan smacked the
crossbar and ricocheted down
only to bounce the wrong way
off the goal line. A last
minute soft goal saw Newton
win by the one goal.
Match 3: Colts vs. Vicars
Cross
An early goal by that boy
Mathew saw Colts play with
renewed vigour, and maintain
pressure throughout the
match. An Alonsoesque strike
by Mathew saw Colts finish
the game 2-0.
Match 4: Colts s. Newton
athletic u7s
Another great start as the
boys fizzed with energy and
the confidence boost from
the last game saw everyone
trying to get on the score
sheet, but it was Mathew’s
day and first he slotted
one, then he slotted two to
see the Colts win 2-0. If
only they had started like
this…..but it was a super
day, and the team was only
just edged out from the
knock-out stage. Better luck
next time!
Saturday 14th April
Nomads Colts 0 Blacon Youth
3
MOM Joe Polding
Squad: James Bolton,Matthew
Rawson,Seb Cartwright,Harry
Hughes,Fraser Wills,Andrew
Fox,Connor Evans,Joe
Polding,Christian Davey
A beautiful day at Blacon’s
home ground, and warmer
weather had left a rather firm
pitch, that had plainly
“enjoyed” a visit by a very
large dog…Annette to the
rescue with a plastic bag and
a strong stomach left the
match free to commence. A
strong start from the
opposition put the Colts under
a deal of pressure but
eventually they moved the
match down to the other
goalmouth and played some
enterprising passing, but a
soft goal from Blacon left
Colts trailing 1-0. The second
quarter saw Mathew exercising
his goalkeeping skills against
what was always going to be a
strong team. As the haze
lifted so the temperature
rose, and so did the tempo of
play. Way after we thought the
quarter should have finished,
and deep into local extra
time, Blacon slotted in a
fluff goal just as the whistle
blew.
In the third quarter we saw an
increasingly physical style of
play that left the Colts often
on the floor, but never cowed.
A strong performance from Joe
saw him running his heart out
and a clever cross saw the
ball fumbled off the Blacon
goal line twice in as many
seconds. The last quarter
started when a normal match
would have already finished,
and there were plenty of tired
legs. Blacon delivered a
fabulous free kick after some
“freestyle” goalkeeping from
Seb, and Mathew rose to it
with Bonetti-like grace equal
to the impressive shot. At the
end, Colts remained 3-0 down
but this was another very
strong team performance that
left parents very proud of
their enthusiasm and
endeavour. Well done Dave, the
boys have come along in great
leaps and bounds.
Saturday 24th March
Chester Nomads Colts 1 Lache 3
Nomads scorer - Joe Polding
Nomads MOM - Matthew Rawson
Squad: James Bolton,Andrew
Fox,Seb Cartwright,Harry
Hughes,Joe Polding,Matthew
Rawson,Christian Davey,Fraser
Wills
It was a beautiful spring day
at Boughton Hall and there was
air of expectation amongst the
parents and supporters of the
young colts.
And then the match started.
This was the last match of
what has been a roller coaster
ride for the colts. There have
been some bad games some good
games and some truly amazing
games. Who could forget the
10-1 victory over the
Westminster Park Tigers but in
many ways the peak of the
season was the exceptional 1-1
draw against the Saughall
Colts, just to have put one
past the goliath in goal was
enough to mark this game when
the colts showed they could
compete with any team in this
league.
Anyway back to the match! I
think I am actually trying to
avoid having to write this
report as my overwhelming
feeling is 1 of
disappointment.
We should have won this game.
This is a team we have beaten
before albeit in a 7 minute
match at a tournament in
Crewe. Maybe that was the
problem. The parents may have
had an air of expectation but
the boys had an air of
complacency.
The boys were fast asleep at
the kick off. We even started
with slope advantage so we
should have been banging them
in straight from the whistle
but no it was immediately on
the defensive.
The team woke up halfway
through the 1st quarter and
there were a couple of nice
runs from the forwards and one
resulted in the 1st and only
goal from the colts today.
Fraser came forward with the
ball was himself unlucky not
to score and the ball fell to
Jo who did not hesitate and
knocked it in.
The goal did lift the team and
there followed some consistent
attacking play. But as so
often happened this season our
finishing has let us down.
Harry shot wide. Andrew put it
over the bar not once but
twice.
It was good end to end stuff
but as a team we need to lose
our fear in front of goal and
we must think about the pass.
The forwards pick up the ball
and they run until brought
down by the defenders. Pass
boys pass, there is no glory
in being tackled on the edge
of the box but there is in
finding a well placed team
mate who may have time to make
the shot before he too his
brought down.
And then came the 3rd quarter
again we had the slope but
this did not help. Matthew
Rawson was under siege in his
own goal and despite all his
efforts completely inept
defending allowed Lache to
equalise.
The colts did have a great
chance to make it 2-1. It was
probably the best move of the
match. The ball was passed
around the opposition’s area
and until the ball finally hit
the post.
Then for much of the rest of
this quarter and the final
quarter the ball stayed in our
area and the boys were always
on the back foot. There was 1
moment when 1 of the
opposition was stood about a
foot away from the open colt’s
goal and somehow managed to
fail to score. However luck
that we did not deserve was
not with us and by the end of
the match we finished 3-1
down.
Despite todays result this has
been a great season. Each
player has his own style and
talents and at moments
throughout the season each has
been able to contribute
something to the team as a
whole.
Roll on the summer tournaments
the team will be able to hold
its own and there may even be
some memorable victories.
Dave, despite todays match you
can be very proud of your team
and their performance over the
season. There is much
encouragement to be had from
their skill and their team
spirit. As ever onwards and
upwards!!
Saturday 10th March
Tattenhall
v Nomads Colts
Score 1 -4
Nomads scorer; James Bolton
Nomads MOM : Seb Cartwright
Squad ; James Bolton,Harry
Hughes, Seb
Cartwright,Christian
Davey,Fraser Wills,Joe
Polding,Matthew Rawson,Connor
Evans,Matthew Sheridan
The boys did themselves proud
against a very skilfull
passing side in Tattenhall.
Wakey wakey boys, 1st minute
sees Tattenhall go one up.
Now were in a game with a
cracking effort from Seb
cleared off the line. Right on
time we equalised with a
thunderbolt from James Bolton
(come on Harry this golden
boot is not in the bag yet!)
2nd Quarter sees the Colts
coming on strong with a
cracking free kick from Harry
hitting the bar (not our day).
3rd Quarter Tattenhall came
back with 10 minutes of the
best football I've seen all
season,with only
Matthew,Christian,Seb and
Connor keeping us in it.
Tattenhall go 2-1 up. A
mention here must go to Seb
(Tommy Smith) - when he
tackles you, you stay tackled!
The 4th Quarter saw the
welcome return of Matthew
Sheridan for the last 10
minutes.Matthew's spectacular
free kick was well saved by
the keeper. James hit the
post, Joe went close and
Fraser was running the show in
midfield. However we fell for
the sucker punch and it ended
4-1.
Saturday 10th March
Nomads Colts 1 Saughall Colts 1
Squad: James Bolton, Matthew
Rawson, Joe Polding, Seb
Cartweright, Christian Davey,
Andrew Fox, Harry Hughes, Fraser
Wills, Connor Evans
Nomads scorer: James Bolton
Nomads MOM : Matthew Rawson
A cracking match, enthralling
from start to finish, and
probably the best team
performance that we have seen so
far from the Colts. They made a
very strong start in breaking
down the opposition defences,
and fine strikes from Joe and
James hit the woodwork twice in
less than five minutes. The
attacking play continued in a
determined fashion, and only the
sheer size of the opposition
goalie prevented a couple of
excellent high balls hitting the
back of the net; lesser goalies
would have found their fingers
brushing the bottom of the ball
as it went past! Despite the
pressure, Saughall held out to
make it a goalless first quarter
before starting to try to turn
the game around, leading to
end-to-end play and some truly
excellent work by Mathew in goal
kept the score sheet even.
In the third quarter Connor,
Andrew and Christian maintained
a firm defensive line that
typified the strong team ethic
that has developed. Sebastian
harried players nearly twice his
size and rarely did anyone pass
him, while Fraser’s nimble
footwork kept the ball moving.
There was little to choose
between the teams with the
scoreline starting to resemble
an edgy top-of-the-table
Premiership match, but
eventually Saughall set up a
clever move that saw the ball in
back of the Colts’ net.
Undeterred, the boys pressed on
and continued pressure saw a
series of wonderful corner kicks
from Harry go sailing into the
box, with the goalie’s height
and width again denying the
Colts their dues. In the final
quarter play remained tight, but
a soaring clearance from
Sebastian saw the ball land with
James, who struck a fabulous
first time shot that flew
straight into the top left-hand
corner to make the score 1-1,
which was how it stayed. A great
result from an excellent team
effort.
MoM: Mathew Rawson, for
outstanding goalkeeping skills
3rd March 2007 Under 8s: Upton
Panthers vs. Nomads Colts
Score 3 - 1
Squad; James Bolton,Christian
Davey,Harry Huges,Joe
Polding,Fraser Wills,Matthew
Rawson,Seb Cartwright,Andrew
Fox,Connor Evans
Nomads Scorer- Fraser Wills
Nomads MOM - Joe Polding
A beautiful early spring day saw
the Colts coming up against
tough opposition at the Dale
Barracks. After a strong start
by both teams the Panthers went
one-up in the first quarter, but
the Colts set about levelling
the score with determination and
increasingly accurate passing
play. Constant pressure left the
Colts camped in the opposition
box, and in a goalmouth melee
James struck, the ball rebounded
and Fraser was well placed to
slot it past the rather tall
opposition goalie. 1-1, honours
even, but the Panthers came back
strongly. Mathew found himself
facing a barrage of shots, and
distinguished himself through
the match with a sterling
performance in goal. Eventually,
a lucky rebound left Panthers go
into the third quarter 2-1 up.
Astute substitutions from both
sides left the two teams evenly
matched, with the Colts playing
better each time they come onto
a pitch. For much of the last 20
minutes Colts seemed to have the
upper hand, but Panthers proved
highly effective on the counter
attack and eventually the match
finished 3-1. Despite the score,
the young Colts should be
pleased with what was one of
their most impressive team
performances.
Saturday 24th Feb
Westminster Park Lions
5 Chester Nomads Colts 1
Squad; James Bolton,Joe
Polding,Fraser Wills,Matthew
Rawson,Andrew Fox,Connor
Evans,Seb Cartwright,Christian
Davey,Harry Hughes
Nomads Scorer; Harry Hughes
Nomads MOM: Fraser Wills
Under 8s: Westminster Park Lions
vs Nomads Colts
At the venue of their greatest
triumph the Colts started with a
bang, and were soon all over the
opposition penalty box. James
Bolton had a shot narrowly pass
over the bar while Fraser
thumped the post (with the
ball). Still 0-0 at the end of
the first quarter with Colts
having all the best of play.
Perhaps worried by the threat
from the young Colts, the Lions
came roaring back having fielded
one or two somewhat stronger
players who swiftly made their
substantial presence felt as the
Lions went 2-0 up. The Colts
soon remembered that size
doesn’t matter and set about a
response, with James Bolton
scoring milliseconds after the
ref had blown for a foul by the
opposition. Undeterred, the
Colts rallied again and
sustained pressure led to a
super left-foot goal from Harry,
and they were back in the match.
In the third quarter the Colts
kept at it and shaved the post
again before conceding another
goal, seemingly against the run
of play – they were a little
vulnerable to the counter
attack, and Fraser spent a busy
spell as goalie. By the last
quarter the Lions had sorted
their strategy and they finished
5-1 up. Yet again, the Colts may
be forgiven for feeling that the
scoreline didn’t quite reflect
the run of play, but they should
be encouraged by the strength of
their passing and determination
to press on.
Match report for Saturday 17th
Feb..
Elton Youth 1 Nomads Colts 1
Nomads Goalscorer - Seb
Cartwright
Nomads MOM _ Christian Davey
Squad; James Bolton,Christian
Davey,Harry Hughes,Fraser
Wills,Seb Cartwright,Connor
Evans,Andrew Fox,Matthew Rawson
Boys boys boys! What happened
here?
This should be a report about a
5 nil victory over Elton rather
than the 1-1 draw that actually
took place.
Some of the best football played
by the Nomad Colts was seen on
the pitch at Elton on Saturday.
The match got off to a cracking
start with the Colts attacking
straight from the kick off. All
the action was down at the right
end with Matthew Rawson looking
positively bored in goal. The
defence team of Connor Evans and
Christian Davey rarely let a
ball through. When the odd ball
did come Matthew’s way it was
straight into his very safe
hands.
So what was the problem? The
runs were fast, the ball play
was skilful and the defence was
solid. But and it is a very big
but in football, the ball just
refused to go into the back of
the net. A shot or 2 wide by
Harry Hughes, a similar story
for Fraser Wills and an absolute
belter just over the bar from
Andrew Fox. This was not to be a
replay of the game against the
Tigers.
However there was 1 Colt who was
determined to score this game.
His name not yet on the score
sheet. Sebastian Cartwright just
kept coming forward. His
midfield play was a revelation.
He was rewarded in the 3rd
quarter with what must be a
contender for goal of the
season. He picked up a pass just
outside the box ran with it and
finished with a glorious chip
over the Elton goalie. Go Sebo
go!
So the Colts went into the final
quarter a goal up. Could we hold
onto this slender lead? No we
could not!
A defensive error led to their
striker smashing the ball into
the net, unstoppable!
The rest of the match went by in
a blur as the Colts’ parents
prayed that Elton would not
snatch an entirely undeserved
victory from this game.
Then James Bolton got the ball,
a brilliant run down the pitch,
only him against the goalie but
alas no, his shot went wide.
So 1-1 it was. Man of the match
went to a thoroughly deserving
Christian Davey, rock solid in
defence. Tell the lad his
position and he maintains it.
Onwards upwards sideways and
backwards.
3 Feb 2007
Westminster Park
Tigers 1 - Chester Nomads Colts
10
Nomads scorers: Harry Hughes (4)
James Bolton(2) Joe Polding(2)
Christian Davey, Andrew Fox
MOM _ Harry Hughes
Squad: James Bolton,Joe
Polding,Harry Hughes,Andrew
Fox,Christian Davey,Matthew
Rawson,Seb Cartwright
Not an easy report this week.Not
easy to remember when and who
scored.
Almost from the start 1 - 0 to
the Colts - a volley into the
top corner from James. This game
was then decided by the "Harry
Show" - two low drives to make
it 3 - 0 and his hatrick was
completed with a LEFT foot drive
to make it 4 - 0. Was this a
faster hatrick than Robbie
Fowlers?
Next period Harry grabbed one
more and the hard working Joe
kept his cool superbly to score
2 more like Michael Owen at his
best.
A corner in the third quarter
saw Christian step up from
defence to slot superbly home.
James grabbed one more to make
it 9 - 1.
The final quarter saw the
forgotten Matthew come out of
goal to be replaced by "Tommy
Smith" (Seb) .
Does this boy have no fear? Just
time for Andrew Fox to make a
solo dribbling run to make it 10
-1. Well done boys. A great team
peformance.
27 January 2007
Nomads Colts v
Nomads
Score 0 -5
MOM - Andrew Fox
Squad: James Bolton,Joe
Polding,Harry Hughes,Andrew
Fox,Matthew Rawson,Christian
Davey,Seb Cartwright,Connor
Evans,Fraser Wills
The big match, and thankfully
more derby than donkey. The boys
knew that this would be a tough
game, but last week’s mud-yomping
had left them well prepared for
the comparatively tame Boughton
Hall pitch – the mud was merely
ankle deep and the slope of the
pitch more the Welsh hills than
the Himalayas. So no excuses
there, and the game kicked off
with an enthusiastic display
from both teams, and Nomads
securing a not-so-early lead but
the Colts came back with verve
and let the more established
team know that this would be no
walkover.
The spectators saw an exciting
contest with some genuinely
intelligent passing, with the
Colts looking more and more a
team than a bunch of boys merely
on the same pitch, a tribute to
effective coaching and team
spirit. It would be unfair to
single out any lad for comment
this week as they truly played
together and with commitment. A
number of shots shaved the
posts, and on a luckier day they
would have ended up with
something closer than the
eventual 0-5, but several months
ago it would have been a greater
gap and they should feel
emboldened by their performance
and build upon the better
results that have come their
way.
20 January 2007
Under 8s Colts
vs. Castrol Athletic -
Capenhurst Grange
Score 1 -4
Squad;James Bolton,Harry
Hughes,Fraser Wills,Connor
Evans,Andrew Fox,Seb
Cartwright,Matthew Rawson,James
Fox
Nomads scorer - Harry Hughes
MOM - Connor Evans
We always thought that Swampy
was an eco-warrior – that is,
until we saw the pitch for this
match. Deceptively, the long
grass hid the mire beneath but
not for long, as little legs and
feet churned it up into a
full-on mudbath. Goalie Mathew
bravely struggled through the
match but by the end his legs
were sinking deep into the mud
of the goalmouth, so much so
that he could barely move.
Persil shares went up by 34p…..
Both sides were evenly matched
as the game kicked off, and
after only a few minutes the
Colts won a free kick just
outside the box. The Castrol
wall lined up but Harry’s
carefully struck shot sailed
high over the players to land
with a thump in the top-left
corner of the net. A great
start! The next two quarters saw
an even struggle but eventually
a goalmouth melee left the ball
somehow in the back of the Colts
net, and the teams went into the
final quarter with a goal
apiece. Another bundle in front
of goal left Colts trailing from
an unfortunate own-goal, their
heads went down, and another two
goals went in against them to
leave the final score at 4-1.
2-2 might have been a fairer
reflection as the boys played
well despite the conditions,
with fine defending (last
quarter aside…) and inventive
play down the wings. Fraser and
James always looked threatening
up front, and man of the match
Connor was constantly on the
move as he battled with the
opposition…and of course the
mud!
Nomads Colts v Wesminster Park
Lions
Score 0 - 4
MOM: James Bolton
Squad: James Bolton,Christian
Davey,Harry Hughes,Fraser
Wills,Andrew Fox,James Fox,Connor
Evans,Matthew Rawson,Seb
Cartwright.
Although the score might suggest
otherwise this was a cracking
match with tremendous effort and
skill from all team players. The
game started with the colts
chasing the ball down the hill,
closely followed by Sir Edmund
Hillary and Chris Bonnington
belaying as they went. They were
unlucky not to capitalise on the
slope advantage in the 1st
quarter, with a fine free-kick
barely saved on the line and a
clever chip over the goalie
narrowly missing the back of the
net. However the ball somehow was
able to make its way uphill and
into the opposition's net. An
unlucky own goal, but sadly they
all count! The boys set about a
revival with commendable verve and
some very promising passing; they
really do start to look like a
team playing well together, with
finishing remaining an area for
improvement. A second goal from
the Lions resulted from the
classic
whack-it-at-the-goalie-and-poke-in-the-rebound
kick, but still the Colts rallied
and launched a number of promising
attacks, with great running down
the wings.
The final 2 quarters saw some
great defence play by super Seb,
has that boy no fear!
James Bolton was everywhere with
the ball, with some wonderful runs
into the opposition’s penalty
area. Again though the Colts were
let down by their lack of finish.
A free kick was conceded inside
the area, well taken by the Lions
and the score was now 3 nil.
The last quarter saw a similar
pattern of play. This time
defending with the slope against
them and again a special mention
for the defence who were
determined not to allow the ball
through. An extremely unlucky 4th
goal was conceded just before
time.
The Colts should be proud of
themselves after this performance.
The opposition are a strong team
and the Colts in most parts of the
game held their own.
You have all heard of stage fright
well I think these young Colts
suffered goal fright. A minor
issue which I am sure can be
resolved in training. OK Dave?
06 JAN 2007
U8 Colts v Waverton Wasps
Score 3 - 0
Scorers; Andrew Fox x (2) Joe
Polding (1)
MOM Andrew Fox/Joe Polding.
Squad: James Bolton,Andrew
Fox,Christian Davey,Harry
Hughes,Connor Evans,Seb
Cartwright,Matthew Rawson,Fraser
Wills,Joe Polding,James Fox.
Match Report; Dave Bolton
Top passing display from the
Colts. The first ten minutes was
very close with close shots from
James Bolton,Joe and good
defensive play from Seb,Christian
and Andrew Fox.
The second quarter we at last put
three or four passes together.
Captain Fraser putting in some
cracking passes lead to the Colts
man of the match Andrew Fox puttig
us 1-0 up with a low drive.
A mention must go to a fantastic
display in midfield by Harry whose
free kicks and corners were
superb.Waverton were kept out by
some brilliant play in defence by
Connor and by goal keeper
Matthew.Down the other end
Waverton choice man of the match
Joe scored a fantastic goal after
a great run.
By this time the Colts were
passing like liverpool in the 80s
which lead to a long range goal
from Andrew Fox.I could only stand
and applaud.To sum up their goalie
was their man of the match with
some great saves from Joe,James
and Fraser.
At last we can pass like a
team.Well done everyone.
18 Nov 06
Waverton Hornets v Chester Nomads
Colts
Result: 0 - 3
Squad: James Bolton,Joe
Polding,Harry Hughes,Fraser
Wills,Andrew Fox,James
Fox,Christian davey,Matthew
Rawson,Connor Evans
MOM; James Bolton
Another sunny start for the Colts
at Waverton, with play flowing
evenly from end to end. A big
score looked likely if only
because of the enormous goals,
which would favour big hitters.
Such proved to be the case as a
strong Waverton shot sailed
unstoppably into the top of the
Colts goal. Undaunted, the lads
rallied and whipped themselves
into attacking play with solid
teamwork and staunch performances
from all the boys. Despite this,
they found themselves 2-0 down
although constantly looking a
threat from midfield, ultimately
lacking the striking force to even
things up, and falling 3-0 behind
towards the end.
The boys deserve credit for what
was one of their best team
performances, despite the
scoreline. The fact that nobody
stood out underlines a cohesive
team performance in a well-natured
and genuinely sporting game. 1-0
would have more accurately
reflected the balance between the
two teams, but they should take
heart from a well-rounded effort
against strong opposition.
Date: 11 Nov 06
Competition: Friendly
Match Details: (H) Nomads U8 Colts v Blacon Youth Tigers
Result: 1-0
Scorers: Fraser Wills
MoM: Fraser Wills/ Connor Evans
Squad: Fraser Wills,James Bolton,Christian Davey,Matthew Rawson,Harry Hughes,Connor Evans,Andrew Fox,James Fox
Match Report By:
After last week’s splendid performance the Colts were looking forward to building upon their progress. However, the absence of their top goalscorer (not that we’re counting or anything!) cast a dim shadow across an otherwise sunny Autumn morning at Boughton Hall. But unlike last week, the lads were straight into the game with verve and energy, pressing the opposition hard at every opportunity. Continued pressure paid off with a splendid pass finding Fraser Wills who deftly slotted it home. From thereon the Tigers rallied valiantly but the Colts had the upper hand and solid defensive work invariably led to counter-attacks, with Fraser leading up front. All the boys played as they should, with none of the careless mistakes that had tarnished their otherwise strong performance the previous week.
The first half left the Colts still leading 1-0, and the next half nearly saw several more balls in the Blacon net, with two cleared from the line by great defensive work. As full time neared the pressure (upon the boys’ parents) grew as we realised that the team was minutes away from its first win. Anxious eyes upon the referee proved unnecessary because the Colts attack maintained its momentum, and eventually the whistle blew only to be drowned out by the sighs of relief from the sidelines!
Another great game, and the boys go from strength to strength. Well done Dave
Date:
4 Nov 06
Competition: Friendly
Match Details: (H) Nomads U8 Colts v Vicars Cross Dyamos
Result: 35
Scorers: James Bolton, Matthew Sheridan (2)
MoM: Andrew Fox
Squad: James Bolton, Matthew Sheridan, Matthew Rawson, Fraser Wills,
Christian Davey, Andrew Fox, Connor
Evans, Joe Polding, Harry Hughes,
James Fox
Match Report By:
A good turnout for both teams on a beautiful winter’s morning, the grass green but almost suspiciously long for young lads. They will need machetes for next week if a lawnmower doesn’t come by. Perhaps perturbed by the depth of the undergrowth, the young Colts saw little of the ball for the first few minutes, ending up 2-0 down after 3 minutes. A whitewash looked inevitable, compounded by a third goal within 5 minutes. Ouch. But a strong rally followed as the boys showed their depth of character, and doughty defending by Andrew Fox led to a period of strong counter –offensive play, and a searing run down the right wing saw a cross from Harry Hughes result in James Bolton taking on the Dynamos goalie in a head-on challenge, James kept his head up and the ball went straight in just before the first quarter closed to leave Colts looking in the ascendance
After the restart a powerful Colts attack down the left flank was abruptly halted by an injury from the far end of the field, but once play swiftly resumed Mathew Sheridan made his presence felt when he spotted the goalie off his line and struck an astonishingly accomplished shot straight into the back of the net from near the halfway line. Xabi Alonso, watch out. Mathew followed up minutes later with another searing shot to make it 3-3. Shades of Istanbul?
In the next quarter the Colts required the welcome presence of the crossbar to maintain the scoreline, and there then followed an equally matched battle as both sides challenged the opposition defence, with Andrew Fox once more saving the day for Colts. A word here for the Ref, who played a blinder with fairness and equability, leading to a gripping and flowing game.
Both teams may be proud of their performance, but Dynamos surged ahead to make it 4-3 by the end of the third quarter, and the final quarter saw an unusual development as an extra player for each side (yes, we counted carefully!) took to the field. Connor and Joe made welcome debuts in their first match for the Colts, and the last minutes saw wonderful goalkeeping from Fraser but at the death Dynamos slipped another one in to make it 5-3, but we were left with a fab game that the boys very clearly enjoyed, even if their elders suffered shredded nails.
Date; 14 Oct 06
Match Details U8's Colts v Upton
Pumas
Score 0 -6
MoM Christian Davey
Squad; James Bolton,
Christian Davey, Harry Hughes,
Andrew Fox,Mathew Sheridan,Matthew
Rawson,Fraser Wills,James Fox
Report by; Johnny Motson
Maybe onwards and
upwards was a little too
enthusiastic after last week. This
week the young colts lost in a
fairly decisive manner to the Upton
Pumas.
The match started
well, the first quarter saw some
great defending and good midfield
play from all those present and no
goals were conceded but then came
the second quarter!
What happened
here boys?
The Colts were 4
nil down by the end of the quarter
and all share some of the blame for
this. Opposing players were just
strolling through our midfield and
no-one appeared willing to take them
on hence goals just kept flying in.
Maybe 1 or 2 of the players could
have done with an earlier night or
at least a proper breakfast but no
names will be mentioned, they know
who they are. But for the valiant
efforts of our man in goal, Fraser
Wills the score could have been much
worse.
A goal was
conceded in each of the last
quarters but the defence held
themselves together much better and
the midfield stopped being quite so
generous with the ball. Andrew Fox
and Christian Davey together ensured
that in the last half of the game
the scoreline did not descend too
much further into the stuff of
football nightmares.
Roll on the rest of
the season, the only way is up!
Date: 7 Oct 06
Competition: Friendly
Match Details: (H) Nomads U8 Colts v Newton Athletic
Result: 1-4
Scorers: Harry Hughes
MoM: Harry Hughes, Matthew Rawson
Match Report By: Hannah Hughes
Well what a match! The scoreline does not properly represent the drive and passion shown by the young colts.
The team attacked straightaway from the kick-off and were rewarded almost immediately with an Alonsoesque cracking right foot strike from outside the area by Harry Hughes. Unfortunately this slender lead was not to last for long as the other team responded quickly with an unstoppable shot at the other end which was deflected in by one of our own.
This was end to end stuff. The game was finely balanced right up to the final quarter. The defence team of Andrew Fox, James Fox, James Bolton and Christian Davey let very few past and those they did were stopped by our star goal keeper Matthew Rawson.
Going into the last 10 minutes the score was still 1-1 but a defensive error by just about every Colts player on the pitch let 1 goal in and then came the 2nd controversial penalty award of the day. The parents had let the 1st go especially as they failed to score. However this time there was a minor parental revolt but to no avail, the penalty was taken and they scored. Some of the spirit was now lost from the team and a 4th goal was conceded just before the final whistle.
All had however played their part in an edge of the touchline thriller. Mathew Sheridan continued to play his games with the opposing team's defence but was unable to find the back of the net this week, whilst Fraser Wills was a tower of strength in midfield.
Onwards and Upwards!!!
Date:
Competition: Friendly
Match Details: (H) Nomads U8 Colts v Upton Jaguars
Result: 2-3
Scorers: Mathew Sheridan (2)
MoM: Mathew Sheridan
Squad: Mathew Rawson, Christian Davey, Andrew Fox, James Fox, James Bolton, Harry Hughes, Mathew Sheridan
Match Report By:
On the first day of the season Nomads made an excellent start with a goal in the first period by Mathew S, he took a through ball by Harry H and rounded 2 players to left foot home.
In the second period Nomads went 2 up with a thundering shot that flew into the back of the net again by Mathew S after some clever work by the midfield duo of James F and Harry H.
The third period saw a real fightback by Upton, and although the Nomads defence of Christian D and Andrew F fought well and made some outstanding tackles it was left to Mathew R to try and save the day, 2 brilliant diving saves was needed, but unfortunately Upton managed to score 2 to make the game even going into the final quarter.
Nomads made a good start and put the pressure on Upton with shots from Harry H, Mathew S and James B but all to no avail as Upton made a quick break and clinched the winner in the final minute.
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