Goring - Away

Colts lost their fourth game out of four, at Goring, and for the first time this season the under-9s failed to score. The game started with City kicking down the gentle slope, and the first half was an even affair, with neither goalkeeper being too troubled. A wayward Goring cross did loop over City keeper Dan Page, but it rebounded off the top of the bar, and the first half ended goalless.

City's run of bad luck continued right at the start of the second half, when a Goring break saw Dan make a fine full-length save, but the reboundfell kindly to a Goring player who scored easily. Colts were now on the back foot, and static defending led to Goring doubling their lead as the City boys stood around watching, instead of clearing the loose ball. There was some hope for City when Jason Crowder embarked on a couple of his typical barnstorming runs, but they both ended disappointingly. The first when Jason appeared to be pushed in the area, but the referee gave a corner, and the second when Jason's shot was well saved by the Goring keeper, although with his record perhaps Jason should have done better.

City were punished for not taking their chances, and for further defensive lapses, when Goring sealed the game at the death. There were a number of lessons that the Colts boys need to heed from this game, not least the art of tackling and of taking decent throw-ins.

City and Goring were fairly even in terms of ability, but the home side's willingness to challenge for every ball, and their greater desire to push up the field, was the difference.