East Hendred-Away

East Hendred Under 10s 13 - Oxford City Colts Under 10s 0

First Match
East Hendred 6 – OCC 0

Having played at East Hendred only two weeks ago because of a waterlogged pitch at Court Place Farm, there was a sense of déjà vu with this return fixture. However, the sun was shining on this beautiful spring morning and their pitch had recovered well from the recent excessive rainfall. Unfortunately, the weather proved little consolation for the Colts’ fans who saw the boys struggle against a well-organised East Hendred side. As expected the home side started strongly in the first match and with their accurate passing and shooting they deservedly led 3-0 at half time.

Following Roger’s words of encouragement and advice, the Colts tried hard to make an impression after the break. Bradley worked tirelessly to pressurise the East Hendred defence but had no luck despite his continued determination. Eventually East Hendred’s superior passing and eagerness to shoot proved too much for the Colts, although the final score of 6-0 was perhaps a little flattering.

Team: R Horwood, A Martin, C Wood, L Williams, B Rowbotham, B Muinami, B Merrill

Man of the Match: B Rowbotham

Second Match
East Hendred 7 – OCC 0

The return of Joe Russell in goal allowed Grady Cherry to return to his favoured position in midfield in the second match. The Colts started playing uphill, giving East Hendred a significant advantage. At the back the Colts stood firm trying whenever possible to close down the East Hendred attack; Mitchell White being particularly strong at the heart of the defence. But on this relatively small pitch, the home side’s willingness to shoot from distance proved once again to be a successful approach allowing them to go in 2-0 ahead at the break.

In an effort to change the Colts’ fortunes in the second half, Roger switched to a more attacking formation. A promising start saw Daniel Keen unlucky not to score but in their efforts to get back into the match, the Colts’ defence was stretched allowing East Hendred to break quickly and add to their lead. After conceding two more goals, heads understandably started to drop and East Hendred ran out comfortable winners.

Interestingly the Man of the Match trophies went to the same two boys who won the awards in our previous encounter with East Hendred a fortnight ago. So at least Mitchell and Bradley appear to enjoy the long journey south even if the rest of us are a bit fed up with two heavy defeats to this top of the table side! See you all at training next week.

Team: J Russell, M White, H Comely, J Roberson, G Cherry, D Dennis, D Keen

Man of the Match: M White

Cholsey-Away

with more rain forecast colts were very lucky to play this home fixture away at cholseys very heavy pitch .

first game occ 1 cholsey 4
cholsey came out fighting from the very start and scored an early goal which put colts on the back foot. but with some good defending from wayne,charlie and mitchell held on. with long goalkicks from grady colts went close to scoring with chances falling to Joe russell (back from injury) and daniel keen with cholsey keeper making some fine saves. just before half time cholsey made it two with a good passing move.
second half
half time changes grady on pitch and mitchell in goal. colts started this half well with good passing moves from joe roberson and grady setting daniel keen on his trusty left foot who smashed in to the bottom corner. with new hope in them selfs colts pushed forward to close the gap but with the pitch getting very muddy mistakes were being made by both teams. colts lost the ball on the edge of the box with cholsey player shooting a long range effort which caught out the colts stand-in keeper3-1. colts pushed forward once again with more chances falling to daniel,grady and joe but it just would not go in.cholsey got a fourth just before the end of the game making them outright winners 4-1.
man of the match Grady Cherry
team G Cherry,M White,W Beechers,J Russell,
J Roberson,D Keen, C wood
second game
with the centre pitch a mud bath colts started the brighter of the two teams playing the long balls from adam and brian to bradley,harvey,liam with this paying off with a fine finish fron liam williams 1-0. also with some good defending from Adam and brian colts whent in half time leaders.
second half
with a quick turn around colts were dealt a blow when a cholsey player ran thru colts defence and slotted home 1-1.both teams went close with colts chances from ben ,brad,liam and harvey but you just know when its not going to go your teams way and with colts not clearing on the edge of the box cholsey scored the winner 2-1. man of the match Liam Williams
team R,Horwood,A Martin,B Muinami,L Williams,
B Merril,H comely,B Rowbotham.
with only a few games left to the end of the season and not playing a home game for five weeks it has been hard times for the boys but they have shown good character and determination to train in the rain and battle in games to the very end . WELLDONE see you all friday.