Didcot-Home

18th March 2007
Didcot – Home

Oxford City Colts Under 10s 0 – Didcot Under 10s 7

First Match
OCC 0 – Didcot 5

At last a home game actually played at Court Place Farm. The recent improvement in the weather had left the pitch in reasonable condition, albeit with a few muddy patches. Unfortunately a bitterly cold gale-force wind made for very difficult playing conditions and some rather frozen windswept supporters. Due to further sickness the Colts were once again short of players starting with only 13 fit boys which required some reorganisation by Roger. This appeared to work well at the start of the first match and with the wind behind, the Colts played well stringing a number of good passes together and threatening the Didcot goal. However, our opponents are not third in the table without good reason; they always looked dangerous on the attack but with the Mitchell, Wayne and Reece all playing well the match was goalless at half time.

This really was a game of two halves as after the break and with the advantage of the strengthening wind, Didcot dominated. Colts found it difficult to get the ball out of their own half, and when they did it usually came straight back. It was therefore not long before Didcot turned this advantage into scoring opportunities. With a number of tall players in their side, the visitors used this advantage at corners and set-pieces and were soon in front. The Colts never really recovered once behind and Didcot ended with a comfortable 5-0 win.

Team: R Horwood, M White, W Beechers, J Roberson, L Williams, D Dennis, B Merrill

Man of the Match: M White

Second Match
OCC 0 - Didcot 2

With the memory of recent heavy defeats and playing with only six boys, it would be easy to imagine that the Colts would struggle in the second match. However, the loyal fans saw an excellent fighting display from the home side. Roger started with Grady and Bradley in defence, pushing Adam into midfield, a system which worked well as Didcot failed to threaten the Colts goal. Playing with the wind behind the Colts in fact had the better of the first half but unfortunately some poor defending just before the break allowed Didcot to sneak into a 1-0 lead.

In the second half the wind picked up further, although this did seem to worry Bradley who continued to strike the ball from one end of the pitch to the other with relative ease. Colts started looking for a deserved equaliser but with no luck and a fiercely struck shot from Didcot found its way into the Colts goal. Despite this the Colts’ heads did not go down as the fought hard to score. One tremendous passing move nearly led to the goal of the season as Didcot were saved by the bar. So a 2-0 defeat but an excellent performance from the six boys. Hopefully our luck will change next weekend.

Team: J Russell, G Cherry, A Martin, C Wood, B Rowbotham, B Muinami,

Man of the Match: A Martin