Saturday 15th September

Middlezoy Reserves 1-4 Bridgwater Sports Colts

Team:

Cook, Criddle, Savage, Walford, Payne, Monaghan, Sealey, Curran, Frost, Clapp, Redman

Subs:

S. Smith, Epps, Meaker (all used) Woolridge (unused)

Scorers:

Steve Redman, Gareth Monaghan, Marcus Payne, Jordan Meaker

As in the previous two weeks, with temperatures soaring, the Colts arrived at the Aerodrome expecting another tiring encounter, and were again facing a very experienced side.

With three significant players missing, i.e. Captain Hillbill, goal keeping legend, Gazza and midfield lynchpin, Richie Harris, the Colts handed debuts to Marcus Payne, Justin Cook and Sir Scott Sealy.

Offensively the plan was to be very energetic in our approach, to unsettle the opposition and put pressure on their first touch.  Defensively, we were to be wary of the hard pitch/high bounce, i.e. to meet the ball on the volley or drop off to deal with the second bounce and also to drop off and provide cover for anyone attempting to meet the ball.  Therefore, sense the disappointment when after just 5mins a long clearance from Middlezoy was allowed to bounce over our centre backs, who were holding a high, square line, thus allowing the lively No.10 Sam Peppin, to amble through and score – doh!!

Encouragingly, as has been the case so far this season, the team show no signs of allowing any set-backs to effect their play, and shortly afterwards Steve Redman, again setting the tone up front, chased down the full back and made a couple of tackles before coming away with the ball.  Noticing the keeper off his line Redders quickly took the opportunity and lobbed him from 20 yards for an exquisite equaliser. 

Within minutes of the restart, similar hassling down the right saw the ball at the feet of Marcus Payne.  With plenty of time available and the box filling up with expectant attackers, a ball whipped into the back post looked favourite - but Payner had other ideas.  From 30yrds out he expertly (?!) managed to cut across and under the ball with his toes, to punt the ball high into the sky and over the keeper, who was struggling to get back to his near post, to take the lead at 2-1.

The score remained the same for the remainder of the half, which, although in the main, was rather scrappy and lacking in composure, was still seeing both teams playing as best they could on a hard, bobbly pitch.  There was one goal line clearance by Craig Berry from an Adam Clapp effort, but our own defence continued to look uncomfortable defending the long ball.

At half time Marcus Payne moved to centre back, to provide more pace and height to that position and was given specific responsibility to mark their no.10, allowing the other defenders, now including Shane Smith and all under 18, to deal with the supporting midfield runners.

On the hour Shane, having made a fine tackle, released Kev Curren down the right who placed a good cross field ball at the feet of Gareth Monaghan, cutting in from the left. Gareth, losing his defender to pace, still faced the keeper from the edge of the box, but with quality and composure, far belying his tender age,  superbly hit the ball hard and low into the corner of the net, 3-1.

We were then able to take advantage of a strong bench to introduce Andy Epps, on for the hard working Adam Clapp.  His instructions were to work hard in the middle of the park but to take every opportunity and score by attacking the space developing behind their midfield, as Middlezoy pressed further forward.  Within two minutes this plan worked a treat when, with tackles flying in on the half way line, the ball broke loose to Spenny.  Eppsy flew up field and the pass found him clear on the left with just the keeper to beat.  However, for the first time ever, he declined to whack the ball with his left foot, but instead failed miserably trying to dribble the ball into the back of the net, and the keeper saved at his feet.

With time running out a similar passage of play this time found Jordan Meaker who had replaced the continuingly impressive Redman.  With greater skill and composure he took the ball early and struck a fabulous left foot volley cooley past the keeper, 4-1.

Now into stoppage time, our inexperienced defence, thinking the game was over, lost concentration and allowed Martin Innalls to sprint past and pick up a long through ball.  It was unfortunate that his pass and his unmarked partner, Sam Peppin, were adjudged to have been forward of him and the simple tap in was ruled off-side, but it was with great credit to Middlezoy that they were still pressing and prepared to chase these long balls.  

The final whistle followed maintaining the Colts 100% start to the season with another 100% committed effort to the 100% joy and admiration of the management.

A final word of thanks should go to Alan Prowse for standing in as referee and allowing the match to go ahead and to Middlezoy for agreeing to this, when no league referee was appointed.  Although you’d think that when the ref turns up in the middle wearing a BSSC polo shirt then we’d get a few decisions go our way – but not if you know Big Al!

Final Score:     4 – 1

Team – inc. Dream Team Ratings

J. Cook            7         

N. Criddle         7

C. Savage        6

A. Walford       8            *Star Man

M. Payne         8         

G. Monaghan    7         

S. Sealy          7

K. Curren         7

S. Frost           7

A. Clapp          7

S. Redman       7

S. Smith          7

A. Epps           7

J. Meaker         7

D. Woolridge     Unused

Donkey:          A. Epps – for not fully following the management’s instruction when not scoring as planned!!  Harsh, but we expect high standards in the Colts!

W**ker:          S. Frost – for having a whiter head than the Michellin Man after plastering it with sun block before kick off!