Match Reports

Colts v Bookham B - 8 May 03

Super Skip Stings B's

Colts 2 - Bookham B's 1

This was the cliff hanger to end all cliff hangers - Greg's 58th minute winner brought the curtain down on both a tumultuous season and a match of unbelievable hyper tension. We saw saved penalties, crunching tackles, super long throws, incredible dribbling and debut goals - WHAT A MATCH!!!

As has become traditional, the Colts started as though they were playing underwater - second to every ball and allowing the B's to swarm forward and threaten. After 5 minutes they got the ball to the bye line, Grant was drawn and the ball was passed to the centre to allow a goal - what was going on?

Pressure was increased by the Colts over the following 15 minutes with Alfie, Ben Gregg and Josh pressing forward often being fed by Greg. Steven looked good but could not find the finishing touch or the breakaway. Multiple swerving corners from Steven and Greg could not get a connection to send the ball goalwards.

On 18 minutes Scott tackled Sebastian magnificently and we saw continued great defending from Nathan, Jack and Donald - tha latter getting kicked quite badly for his trouble and having to come off after half time as a result.

On 19 minutes Greg had a shot saved as did Alex after a strong left foot effort two minutes later. On 29 minutes Steven had a 30m free kick saved on the line. The Colts came off for a bit of a hair drying at half time - the B's had done well - they were about to pay a terrible price.

The Colts came out for the second half and for 10 minutes pressed hard with no measurable result. Then we had the moment of the season - the ball was crossed in from the left onto the penalty spot - there was a crowd of defenders and a single yellow shirt - it was that man Sam. The ball floated in, and as it touched the ground he caught it on the half-volley - the goalie had it covered, but it bounced awkwardly on the dry turf and shot into the net - WHAT A FAIRYTALE GOAL - 1-1 and game on!

We then saw the Colts version of Shock and Awe as a yellow tidal wave surged forward looking for the winner. Toby and Alex defended brilliantly, booting the ball forward along with Scott, Jack and Nathan. Alfie and Josh dribbled determinedly, while Ben, Steven, Gregg and Greg threatened continually. Grant looked assured between the sticks and distributed with accuracy and power.

Alex was particularly magnificent, leading attacks down the left and crossing with venom. His defensive headers were long and powerful and his throw-ins were as good as corners.

The pressure was unquenchable and the crowd were in a state of near hysteria - the breakthrough came as a penalty was awarded on 25 minutes - Alfie was fouled in the box. Bookham fell silent as Steven squared up to take it - he went left, but the magnificent Robert guessed correctly and saved - maybe it wasn't our day after all.

We should have known better - those yellow perils just kept on coming - in a sublime move, the ball was launched into the box, Ben headed it on, Steven headed it on again, and Greg was there to control it and slip it past a charging Robert - 2-1 and IT'S ALL OVER.

We collapsed onto the grass, only to see the B's try one last time - Grant was able to catch the final looping shot and the game ended in rapturous applause as the crowd flowed on to the pitch to greet their heroes and celebrate a fantastic end to the season.

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Colts v Warren Mead - 26 Apr 03

Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Colts 3 - Warren Mead 5

This was an agonisingly disappointing game of two halves - searing Colts play in the first half leading to a 3-2 lead at half time, followed by a crash in confidence and aggression in the second half, resulting in a 5-3 loss.

The game started with a rapid Bookham attack - the always excellent Gregg having his shot saved after 1 minute. Grant caught securely after 2 minutes and then on 5 minutes a jet propelled Steven crossed dangerously, but no-one could connect to finish.

Against the run of play, Warren Mead broke down the left and chipped Grant to take the lead - 0-1 but nothing to worry about just yet.

After 7 minutes, wunderkind Greg tried a long shot which went wide. On 11, Gregg was fed by Greg and was really unlucky not to score as the ball went agonisingly wide. On 12 minutes Grant kicked to the left and sent Steven down the wing - he missed by a whisker over the bar.

After 15 minutes, the Mead broke and it was the magnificent Donald who stopped them in their tracks. Then on 18, Nathan brilliantly hit Steven at speed and he zipped towards goal, shot and scored - 1-1 and the Colts were back in business.

The Blitzkrieg continued one minute later with Ben feeding Alfie who fed Steven again, this time with after burners ignited - 2-1 as the ball rocketed into the back of the net. Then on 20 minutes Steven crossed and Gregg hammered a shot goalwards - Mead scrambled it off the line with a clear hand ball - no penalty given. The resulting corner was headed by Ben and deflected off a defender into the net - 3-1 and the fans were convinced that a victory was in the bag.

Gregg had another shot scrape wide on 22, then Ben had a shot saved. All the way through Josh, Alex and Alfie provided well, while Scott, Nathan, Donald and Jack defended stoutly - against big and fast attackers. Sam had a great performance today and is maturing into the side - he looks like a great prospect for next year.

On 24 minutes Grant made great save, then Greg had two fabulous shots, one from a free kick and then a long range Beckhamesque effort. On 26 Grant fed Gregg on the left who ran through brilliantly and then crossed - poor Alex looked as though he was going to take the back out the net - but missed the ball as he slipped on the hard ground (Alex was latterly awarded the Vidal Sassoon Silly Haircut of the Day Award).

On 28 minutes Mead broke through and scored to make it 3-2.

On 29 minutes Ben headed on to Steven who had his shot saved. On 30, Ben made the through ball of the season to Steven who then had a great shot saved.

The second half began with a lot of Mead pressure - Nathan had to clear after a minute, but on 2 minutes, after a goal kick mix up, Mead scored the equalizer and the stunned Colts had to get their act together.

Grant had to make a save on 7 minutes, and then on 10, the brilliant Donal was forced into a magnificent tackle, spoiling a brilliant run through by Mead and allowing Grant to save. Donald's bravery ended up in injury though and he was forced to come off - GREAT STUFF DONALD.

On 18 minutes Alex had to make a great saving tackle, and the midfield were forced to more heroics. Toby was on and was forced into a lot of frantic running and tackling - he looked good and is showing ever improving form.

Then in 2 minutes Bookham were put to the sword - goals on 22 and 24 made in 5-3 and the Mead comeback was complete.

On 27, Grant was forced into another save but the Colts had shot their final bolt. The whistle went and a very disappointed team traipsed off the field.

Not the greatest way to end the season, but we really saw the boys at the best in the first half - this is encouraging for the tournament s throughout the summer, and if I was a Bookham B, I wouldn't be sleeping well tonight!!

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