Match Report Saturday 21st April

City I

No Game

Result 3 - 2

Awaiting Report

Result 2 - 2

COL 3rds played out their last game of the season in a closely fought battle with Old Sedcopians. On a hot afternoon, and despite the hard, dry and bouncy pitch, both teams tried hard to play some decent football in what turned out to be quite an entertaining game. With the impending proposition of a summer filled with DIY and mowing the lawn, COL started the game very strongly, winning all of the first phase balls, keeping possession and creating space down both wings at ease. Our attacking play was causing the Seds defence some problems, and we won a few corners in quick succession. We did get the ball into the net after 10 minutes, a lovely floated cross from Terry on the right found an unmarked Wes on the back post who nodded in from close range. The euphoria of scoring his maiden goal for the club was short lived however, as the ref blew for a push in the box. Not to be put off by this, COL continued to attack and a few minutes later, we took the lead. The ball started at the back with Terry, who played a cross field pass to Thomas, the ball was then played up to the feet of Wes. He controlled the ball, then rolled it into the path of Rich, who took a touch before firing in a great 25 yard strike into the top right hand corner of the goal, leaving the keeper flat footed.

This goal then seemed to kick Seds into action, and their willing runners in midfield and attack started to see more of the ball. Our defence stood firm, but we were becoming increasingly under pressure. From their first attacking corner, Seds almost drew level. An in swinging corner was met by the head of their striker, but he only managed to head onto the bar from 1 yard, and then Jim did excellently well to clear the ball away despite the presence of 2 Seds players. However, after 30 mins, Seds got on level terms. A cross from our left fell to the feet of the striker, who controlled the ball before firing passed me into the net from close range. With 5 mins left of the half, we fell behind in slightly bizarre circumstances, when a cross was deflected via Migs head onto Johns shoulder, and the ball was sent high into the top right hand corner of the net. A harsh goal to concede and we went into half time behind 1-2.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, with COL on the attack and we quickly won a series of corners. After 5 mins, we got ourselves back on level terms. An in swinging corner from Otis out on the left caused a lot of uncertainty in the Seds box, and Terry was ‘on hand’ to bundle the ball home (he later admitted that it was indeed the hand of god that got the final touch on the ball). The remainder of the half was a very even battle, with both sides seeing plenty of the ball. Wes found himself in on goal, only to be denied a goal by a good tackle by a Seds defender, and at the other end, John made a fantastic tackle in the box as their striker was poised to pull the trigger. John was on hand again to deny Seds, after their striker raced onto a through ball, his initial shot was blocked by me on the edge of the box, but the ball was quickly lobbed back towards the goal, but John had got back onto the line and headed clear. There were no further clear cut chances for either side, and when the whistle blew, a draw was definitely a fair result. The conclusion to a successful inaugural season for the COL 3rds, and hopefully some silverware will follow next season. Congratulations and thanks to all players who have played this season

Goals: Rich, Terry

MOM: Mig and John joint