Saxton Rovers

Oxford City Colts U11 Match Report
7th October 2007

Oxford City Colts 2 – Saxton Rovers 2

A highly competitive match on a sunny October morning saw the end of the Colts’ 100% record as the boys were held to draw by a well-organised Saxton Rovers side. There was a debut for Isaac Moffat-Young, but otherwise Coach Roger Cherry continued with the same formation that had performed so well in recent matches.

Colts started the first half well, attacking with excellent passing moves combined with the occasional long ball for the strikers to chase. However, the Saxton defence were strong and limited the number of shooting opportunities for the Colts. Saxton were also quick to break and the speed and organisation of the Colts defence was put to the test on a number of occasions.

Just as it appeared that the first half would end goalless, Saxton broke through the Colts defence and a strong shot found the back of the net. Going a goal down made the Colts raise their game and just two minutes later, on the stroke of half-time, Joe Roberson scored from a corner. Having spent so much time in training working on set pieces it was encouraging to see the boys using these routines to such good effect in a match.

For the second half Roger Cherry switched to a more attacking formation and immediately Colts looked more threatening. Saxton, though, are a good side and still looked dangerous on the break especially with the Colts pushing forward in search of a winning goal. Colts’ reward came with 10 minutes to go when a through ball hit the arm of a Saxton defender in the penalty area. The reliable Adam Martin stepped up and fearlessly struck the spot kick into the roof of the net to give Colts the lead.

To their credit Saxton heads did not go down and they pressed hard for an equaliser. Their effort was rewarded three minutes from time with a close range shot giving them a deserved draw. This was another excellent game of football to watch played by two well-matched teams. Our thanks go to Tony for refereeing, Jason for running the line and Sue Walker for the refreshments.

Team: J Russell (R Horwood H/T), M White (C Adams HT), A Martin, B Muinami, W Beechers, L Williams (H Comely HT), G Cherry (J Roberson 55), B Rowbotham, C Woods (I Moffat-Young HT, L Williams 50), J Roberson (D Dennis 50) T Walker subs R Horwood, H Comely, C Adams, D Dennis, I Moffat-Young

Man of the Match: 1st half W Beechers, 2nd half T Walker

Wheatley

Oxford City Colts U11 Match Report
7th October 2007

Wheatley 4 - Oxford City Colts 6

With their 100% record still in tact, Colts travelled to Wheatley on a pleasant October morning. With three victories on the road already, the prospect of another match away fixture was not daunting for the boys whose confidence has increased with every match. Coach Roger Cherry picked a more attacking side, pushing Bradley Rowbotham into midfield. This decision appeared extremely shrewd when, after less than a minute, Bradley broke clear of the Wheatley defence and drilled a shot low into the corner of the net to give Colts a very early lead. Things looked even better just 8 minutes later when Bradley fired a fierce shot into the top of the Wheatley goal to put Colts 2-0 up.

Wheatley to their credit did not lose heart after this early onslaught and slowly came back into the game. Their pacey attack was soon finding gaps in the Colts defence and kept Joe Russell busy in the Colts goal. After 17 minutes another break allowed the Wheatley attack to chip the onrushing Russell and despite a brave effort to clear the ball off the line by Wayne Beeches, Wheatley were back in the match at 2-1. The rest of the first half was end to end football with both goalkeepers busy. On the stroke of halftime a magnificent passing move down the left wing saw Bradley through on goal and another thumping shot gave him his hat-trick just before the break.

Credit must be given to Wheatley who started the second half strongly. Brian Muinami playing slightly deeper in defence ran tirelessly to keep their scoring opportunities to a minimum. But it was Colts who scored next. Bradley dribbled through the Wheatley defence only to be fouled before he could shoot. Referee Clive Roberson pointed straight to the spot and Adam Martin powered the kick over the Wheatley keeper to give Colts the comfort of a 4-1 lead.

Perhaps thinking the game won, Colts let a determined and well-organised Wheatley team back into the match with two goals; both high shots hit from outside the area. Just as it started to look like Wheatley could snatch a point, Mitchell White sent a through ball to Grady Cherry who buried the ball in the back of Wheatley net. To further ease the stress amongst the Colts fans, with five minutes to go Tyler Walker scored after a long solo run. Colts then switched off for the last few minutes allowing Wheatley to score a fourth just before the final whistle.

This was another excellent game to watch played by two well-matched teams. Many thanks to Clive for an excellent performance as referee (surely a certainty for the next match!) and to Jason and Dave for running the line.

Team: J Russell, M White (L Williams H/T, M White 45), A Martin, B Muinami, W Beechers, H Comely, G Cherry, B Rowbotham, T Walker, C Adams (C Woods H/T), D Dennis (J Roberson H/T) subs J Roberson, C Woods, L Williams

Man of the Match: 1st half J Russell, 2nd half M White

Abingdon

Abingdon 2 - Oxford City Colts 3

With three consecutive victories to start the season, Colts travelled to Abingdon in search of another win. Having played so well in previous weeks, Coach Roger Cherry had few selection problems. The team lined up in a similar way to previous matches with Joe Roberson starting in front of the back four for the unwell Mitchell White. Abingdon had experienced a difficult start to the season and so the Colts were full of confidence about maintaining their 100% record.

Unfortunately the first half did not go according to plan. Although Colts played some attractive passing football, they failed to create many clear cut scoring opportunities; the ball never seeming to fall to one of the strikers. Frustration set in as the boys struggled to turn their increased share of the ball into goals and as the half progressed Abingdon started to get more possession. With increasing confidence they pressed forward winning a free kick just outside the Colts penalty area. A well struck shot sailed high into the Colts goal to give Abingdon the lead somewhat against the run of play.

However, this season Colts have learnt to fight back after going behind. Despite the early set back they kept trying to play the passing game that has worked well in previous matches and three minutes before the break their efforts were rewarded. An Abingdon corner was cleared and the ball knocked forward to Harvey Comely. He controlled the ball and ran through the Abingdon defence before placing the ball in the bottom corner of the goal to give Colts a deserved equaliser.

With only a few minutes before half time it was hoped that the boys would not lose concentration but unfortunately within two minutes Abingdon scored again after a through ball was chipped over the advancing Joe Russell. So having worked hard to get back on level terms Colts went in at half time 2-1 down. A stern half time team talk made the boys realise that they needed to work harder to win.

Roger moved Bradley Rowbotham forward in the second half, playing with just three at the back. He and Daniel Dennis linked well causing the Abingdon defence constant problems. It was no surprise when ten minutes into the second half the pair combined well as Bradley tucked home the equaliser. However, Abingdon were far from finished and broke well on several occasions forcing some excellent saves from Reece Horwood. Colts went in search of a winning goal and went close a number of times. Inevitably it was Bradley who scored the winner with ten minutes to go, finishing off another excellent passing move.

So Colts maintain their 100% record but only just. Possibly a little overconfident at the start of the match, the boys soon realised that they don’t just need to turn up to win games. With some difficult fixtures coming up, they will have to work hard to continue their excellent start to the season.

Team: J Russell, A Martin, B Rowbotham, B Muinami, W Beechers, J Roberson, L Williams, G Cherry, H Comley, C Wood, T Walker subs R Horwood, D Dennis, C Adams

Man of the Match: 1st half H Comely, 2nd half D Dennis