East Hendred – Home

Oxford City Colts Under 10s 1 – East Hendred Under 10s 7

First Match
OCC 1 – East Hendred 4

Heavy overnight rain meant that this home fixture was transferred to East Hendred as the Court Place Farm pitch was once again unfit. The East Hendred pitch, although playable, was extremely heavy and therefore not conducive to attractive football. The Colts could only call on 14 fit players and so again there were no substitutes for what proved to be two difficult games. East Hendred won the important toss and started down the slope. Despite their early domination the Colts defence held firm with Mitchell White extremely solid at the back. The Colts started to find their feet and put together some good passing moves. However, just as they were looking like giving the team currently second in the table a run for their money, East Hendred broke quickly and scored to lead 1-0 at half time.

Thoughts of an easier second half playing down the hill soon evaporated as East Hendred started the strongly and caught the Colts napping, adding two more goals in quick succession. However, heads did not drop and Colts replied with an excellent left foot strike from Daniel Keen. East Hendred came back strongly and Grady Cherry, with another excellent performance in goal, kept the Colts in the game. Despite their efforts Colts were unable to keep East Hendred out and they finally won 4-1. The score is a little unfair on the Colts who did not look three goals worse than the well-organised East Hendred team.

Team: G Cherry, M White, W Beechers, J Roberson, D Dennis, C Wood, D Keen

Man of the Match: M White

Second Match
OCC 0 – East Hendred 3

Roger Cherry decided to switch the team around in the second match with Bradley Rowbotham starting in centre midfield. This looked a good move from the start with Bradley’s strength and speed worrying the East Hendred team. The Colts had the better of the first half and were unlucky to go in at half time one goal down. The goal, a well struck shot into the corner from well outside the box, the result of failing to close down the East Hendred attack.

In the second half the Colts, as always well supported, tried hard to get back into the game but without success. They found it difficult on the heavy pitch to clear from defence and failed to close down the East Hendred attack on a number of occasions allowing them to add two further goals. So although the Colts looked good at times in both matches, they must learn to keep their concentration and not allow the opponents too much time on the ball. Hopefully next week will see a change in their fortunes.

Team: R Horwood, A Martin, H Comely, L Williams, B Rowbotham, B Muinami, B Merrill

Man of the Match: B Rowbotham