Hillingdon
Oxford City Colts U11 Match Report
1st April 2008
Oxford City Colts U11 Invitation XI 0 – Hillingdon Borough U12 0
What an excellent match this proved to be on the main pitch at Court Place Farm. With the boys enjoying a good run in the league, a fixture against Hillingdon Borough Under 12s could have been a step too far but this was not the case in a very even game played a warm April evening.
To avoid further damage to the already worn pitch, the game was played with small goals positioned at the edge of each penalty area. Coach Roger Cherry invited three older boys to strengthen the home team. Colts, in their familiar 4-4-2 formation, started somewhat hesitantly obviously slightly nervous about playing a team with a year’s more experience of 11-a-side football. With Bradley Rowbotham joining Harvey Comely in the heart of the defence, the boys looked sold at the back, denying Hillingdon any early shooting opportunities. As the game settled down, Colts started to play with more authority and looked the more dangerous of the two sides with both Tom Weir and Liam Palfreeman worrying the opposition with their pace. In midfield Rhys Davies and Grady Cherry won a lot of ball but were unable to find the pass that would open up the Hillingdon defence. As the half drew to a close, Colts enjoyed greater possession and both Grady Cherry and Tyler Walker were unlucky not to score, each having good chances well saved by the Hillingdon keeper who was no doubt grateful to only be protecting the smaller goal. But it was Hillingdon who nearly took the lead on the stroke of half time. A neat cross from the right wing was flicked on by one of the strikers but fortunately for the Colts it drifted just wide of the far post.
The half time team talk was straight forward for Roger who told the boys to carry on playing as they had done and hopefully the goals would come. A slight change in formation saw Mitchell White introduced just in front of a back three to strength the defensive midfield. But as the second half started Hillingdon looked the more dangerous, although they were still unable to find a clear shot on goal. Colts, though, were not to be outdone and the boys fought their way back into the game and, as in the first half, they grew in confidence to look just as likely as the visitors to open the scoring in what was becoming an end-to-end battle. With all the Colts side working hard and playing with great determination it was inevitable that they started to tire as the half wore on. The age advantage started to be significant in the closing minutes with Hillingdon looking the stronger. But despite their fatigue Colts held on to claim a well-earned draw against the more experienced team, a result much to their credit.
This was an excellent fixture for the boys who have hopefully learned a great deal by playing football against older opposition. Many thanks to Tony for faultless job as referee and to the club for providing refreshments. After the game some of the older lads went out for kick about against Hillingdon and won 2-0, the highlight being the half time penalty shoot-out for the Under 11s which the Colts probably won although there so many penalties it was difficult for the reporter to keep the score.
Team: J Russell, A Martin, H Comely, L Williams, B Rowbotham, C Wood, G Cherry, T Walker, R Davies, L Palfreeman, T Weir. subs L Holt, J Roberson, M White
1st April 2008
Oxford City Colts U11 Invitation XI 0 – Hillingdon Borough U12 0
What an excellent match this proved to be on the main pitch at Court Place Farm. With the boys enjoying a good run in the league, a fixture against Hillingdon Borough Under 12s could have been a step too far but this was not the case in a very even game played a warm April evening.
To avoid further damage to the already worn pitch, the game was played with small goals positioned at the edge of each penalty area. Coach Roger Cherry invited three older boys to strengthen the home team. Colts, in their familiar 4-4-2 formation, started somewhat hesitantly obviously slightly nervous about playing a team with a year’s more experience of 11-a-side football. With Bradley Rowbotham joining Harvey Comely in the heart of the defence, the boys looked sold at the back, denying Hillingdon any early shooting opportunities. As the game settled down, Colts started to play with more authority and looked the more dangerous of the two sides with both Tom Weir and Liam Palfreeman worrying the opposition with their pace. In midfield Rhys Davies and Grady Cherry won a lot of ball but were unable to find the pass that would open up the Hillingdon defence. As the half drew to a close, Colts enjoyed greater possession and both Grady Cherry and Tyler Walker were unlucky not to score, each having good chances well saved by the Hillingdon keeper who was no doubt grateful to only be protecting the smaller goal. But it was Hillingdon who nearly took the lead on the stroke of half time. A neat cross from the right wing was flicked on by one of the strikers but fortunately for the Colts it drifted just wide of the far post.
The half time team talk was straight forward for Roger who told the boys to carry on playing as they had done and hopefully the goals would come. A slight change in formation saw Mitchell White introduced just in front of a back three to strength the defensive midfield. But as the second half started Hillingdon looked the more dangerous, although they were still unable to find a clear shot on goal. Colts, though, were not to be outdone and the boys fought their way back into the game and, as in the first half, they grew in confidence to look just as likely as the visitors to open the scoring in what was becoming an end-to-end battle. With all the Colts side working hard and playing with great determination it was inevitable that they started to tire as the half wore on. The age advantage started to be significant in the closing minutes with Hillingdon looking the stronger. But despite their fatigue Colts held on to claim a well-earned draw against the more experienced team, a result much to their credit.
This was an excellent fixture for the boys who have hopefully learned a great deal by playing football against older opposition. Many thanks to Tony for faultless job as referee and to the club for providing refreshments. After the game some of the older lads went out for kick about against Hillingdon and won 2-0, the highlight being the half time penalty shoot-out for the Under 11s which the Colts probably won although there so many penalties it was difficult for the reporter to keep the score.
Team: J Russell, A Martin, H Comely, L Williams, B Rowbotham, C Wood, G Cherry, T Walker, R Davies, L Palfreeman, T Weir. subs L Holt, J Roberson, M White
posted by Julian at 5:58 pm
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