WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT

Date: 5-12-09                                        Ground: Manor Farm

Kick-off: 14:00                                       Competition: League

Toton Y F C   6   v   1   Woodhouse Colts

Colt’s marooned!

The Colt’s make a good start, or do Toton make a slow start, we’ll never know? The Blues take the game to Toton, pushing and prodding the ball in the sticky conditions, up the field.

The build up is good and the early endeavour in the midfield keeps the ball in Toton’s half. With the ball sticking when it needs to roll and rolling when it needs to stick, lot’s of chances fizzle out. The early Woodhouse goal just isn’t going to happen.

Toton eventually get the ball down the field, the strikers are hungry and doggedly determined and the number 18 is in like a ferret and lifts the ball over the keeper, 1-0. 

The Maroons are now up to speed and another shot whistles wide of goal.

Back in Toton’s penalty area, it’s as tight as a ball of rubber bands, Owen cannot turn, back heels the ball into the box, John shoots, the keeper fumbles and Taylor is there to squirt the ball home, 1-1.

It’s a tough old battle out there, wrestling a combination of mud and street wise city kids, inch by inch.

The whistle blows and the referee, awards the Maroons a free-kick; the resulting free-kick unfortunately deflects off a defender and drops for the now on-side Toton striker to hammer home, 2-1.  

HALF-TIME (Shelt’s on up front, Jack off, with John dropping back into midfield)

It’s pretty even; a good half hour of all out effort by either team will secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The Maroon shirts of Toton know this and switch on the speed and style, while Woodhouse are still fumbling about with the switches and buttons.

In between goals 3-1, 4-1, 5-1 & 6-1, the Colt’s highlights are far and few between.

Bradley McDonald working very hard in the middle of the park, with some big crunchy tackles, Brad did not allow Toton much time or to have things all their own way. Brad was stretched all over the place and needed some help from his team mates.

Luke France pulled off a flying two handed diving save to his left, easing the ball over and out for a corner.

Elliott was busy at the back and showed incredible calmness and skill of foot, to get the ball under control and back up the field.

Man of the Match: Elliott Holmes – worked his socks off.

Best Regards 

Nigel Higginbotham

WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT

Date: 28-11-09                                      Ground: Central Ave

Kick-off: 10:30                                       Competition: League

Shirebrook Blue   0   v   2   Woodhouse Colts

It’s dull and damp in Derbyshire; the drizzle is holding off, extra layers, stout boots and warm gloves are the fashion gear of the day.

From the kick-off, both teams weigh each other up, the Blues are under manned but not undeterred; they set out their stall, for 60 minutes of intense battle. The Colt’s are offering some battle/just ticking over.

Huw, Jimbo, Elliot and Tom need to be an awesome foursome to keep the Blues out. They look dangerous and the strikers need to be kept deep in the defenders pockets today.

Luke saves an early shot from a corner, Tom sweeps the ball up and out of danger, Jimbo and Huw are busy protecting the flanks.

“Our ball!” Brad shouts to help the ref, with a throw-in decision. John hooks the throw-in at goal, the keeper holds firm. Owen is in-charge and on the charge down the left wing, delivering his new trade mark ‘Owen special’ across the six yard box, the strikers are a bit sluggish and the chance goes begging.

Shirebrook have a firecracker of a winger also, Brandon twists and turns and torments the Colt’s with his wizardry. Shirebrook are playing some good football, “Hey, hang on a minute, that’s our way?”

The four subs in a line look on, knees knocking, aware the clocks tick-tocking, desperate to get on and start the game rocking.

Shirebrook are resilient, press forward with that division one urgency, Elliott stops them in their tracks, clinical tackling is Elliott’s forte. Jack blocks a corner, the Blues have a re-think and try some intricate passing, to see if that can get them through to Luke France.

 “Handball!” shouts the Blues manager, before John diverts the ball against the cross bar, he continues to give the ref a full identikit description of the perpetrator, while Taylor calmly shoots and breaks the deadlock, 0-1.

Has the half ends, a Shirebrook attack is coolly thwarted by Tom Hubbard with a cheeky back header to Luke and at the other end Gammo’s shot under the close scrutiny of his markers, goes out for a corner on the right.

HALF-TIME    (Jack off, Shelt’s on)

Jack took a studding and comes off, Gammo goes on the right wing, with Taylor in mid-field, Shelt’s goes up front.

Tom Hubbard heads the ball out for a corner, the Shirebrook pressure giving no time for heroics.

A hand ball gives Shirebrook a free-kick in front of goal, stand tall Luke it will be over the wall shortly, over it comes, high, hard and awkward, Luke jumps and collects the greasy ball. Another rubber stamp of ‘IT’S JUST NOT YOUR DAY’ is firmly pressed down against a Blues comeback.

Another disallowed goal for the unfortunate Owen is the next bit of controversy. Drifting in from the left Owen hits the loose ball first time, it’s finished in style and if it is off-side, it’s by inches not a mile.

The action is end to end, in a split second, Shirebrook are deep in Luke’s territory and the focused Hub clears the ball off the line for the team. Again the Blues press forward, Luke is out of his own territory, to put boot through ball and send it over the fence to Sportsworld.

Elliott coughs and kicks the ball up for Owen to hook up with; Owen takes the ball inside his man and crosses just where the strikers like it. John the goal predator is there or there about, he stretches a Predator and gets a toe on the ball, in slow motion it is directed over the line, the Colt’s sigh and celebrate, 0-2.  

It’s not over yet, Matty and Ryan provide fresh legs, working together to stop, the none stop battling Blues. Hardwork is required to protect the lead and grind out this result. Macca heads a free-kick out, the Colt’s hang on and we are finally there over the victory line, it has been a long hard grind of body and mind, by the yellow shirts.

Man of the Match: James Ceshi - Jimbo is back and totally dominating his 1/8 of the pitch. He’s like a junk yard guard dog, out there, GRRRR!

Best Regards 

Nigel Higginbotham

WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT Date: 14-11-09                Ground: Unwin Rd     Kick-off: 11:00                                                Competition: League   Quarrydale    0    v    7     Woodhouse Colts   Three points,  in the right direction!   The seagulls circle over the sewerage works, why? I have no idea, I’d be at the coast myself, flying over the waves, walking along the harbour wall and it would be fish and chips for supper.   Out of the breeze block changing rooms and into the breezy open air, 15 blue shirts determined to kick-start the season under way.   James and Taylor are in the squad against their old team mates and are immediately in the thick of the game. Quarrydale have a point to prove but find themselves well and truly pinned in their own half. The Colt’s keep in formation, Quarrydale don’t, Taylor does and then doesn’t, wrapped up in the intensity of the game.    Quarrydale look, like rabbits caught in the head lights, our Rabbit is in the car park switching the headlights on and off. His team mates take advantage winning one corner after another.   Did I just see right, Jack back-heeling the ball to Macca, Jack’s put the demolition ball away, in favour of a small hammer?   From a cleared corner Elliott picks up the ball, looks up, picks his spot and lofts the ball high into the far corner, 0-1.   The substitutes have gone AWOL, Glynn shouts them over, they stop to admire Elliott’s header, Elliott rises above the reds defence and sticks his nut on the ball, it sales just over, Elliott holds his head in his hands, it was so close.    The close attention the reds are affording Taylor, eventually sees him brought down face first onto the muddy ball, OUCH that’s got to hurt.   The Colt’s passing is getting up to a high standard, in difficult conditions, the blues make the simple pass, quickly and to a team mate who has obliged to move to receive the ball.   With the wind making goal kicks awkward for Quarrydale, The Colt’s strikers, snap and snarl at each and everyone, Gammo’s out on the left, steals the ball and charges back at Quarrydale, the rest of the Colt’s aren’t quick enough, Gammo goes solo, Quarrydale go “oh no”, 0-2.   John passes to Taylor, Taylor passes back to John, and John lays the ball back to Macca, whose shot is deflected over for a corner, again quick easy passes, the key to unlock any defence.   Or there is always route one, the ball again cleared to Elliott cool calm and collective, OOMPH the ball sails over 16 odd players, opened mouthed they watch, the ball hits the net, Elliott turns and with arms extended, roars with emotion, 0-3.   HALF-TIME (Jack off and Taylor off, with Shelt’s on, Ryan on & Nat on for Quarrydale)   Let’s keep doing the RIGHT THING at the RIGHT TIME, is the instruction from Glynn.           Quarrydale barely got a look in, during the first half, now with the weathers help they win a free-kick close enough to involve Luke France in the game. The free-kick is on target; Luke shivers across and gathers the ball in his super safe hands.   The Reds are on a mini roll, next they are finally about to break through the back four, Tom Hubbard gets a kick on the ball, taking it away from the frustrated strikers boot.   Now Quarrydale reach utopia, well the goal line anyway, Frenchy punches the ball out, it’s scrambled back in and Tom Hubbard is on hand to clear off the line.                                               The Colt’s turn up the heat and go for all out attack, Owen  powers down the wing and crosses another quality ball, Macca’s stretching to get a touch, John’s running in just behind and meets the ball, BANG in it goes, 0-4.   Rabbit and Matty are busy, Ryan’s side by side with Tom, Elliott’s just in front of the back four, with magnetic boots, everything is soon under control and back up to the forwards, to turn on the style.   It’s now total football, Macca latches on to a pass, takes the ball all the way and the net result is, 0-5.   Macca, Taylor and John work the throw-in, Macca breaks through, takes on the keeper, 0-6.   Huw’s back on for Owen, edges forward towards goal and takes a shot, which comes back off the keeper, over to John who gratefully knocks it home, 0-7.         Those 3 points will be updated on the league table on Monday, go to http://mansfieldyouthfootball.co.uk/2010/category/under-12s/ and have a look at them, they will look good, I assure you, imagine how great 3 more against Shirebrook Blue’s is going to look, in a fortnights time?   Man of the Match: 15 brave souls who battled and kept their shape for 90 minutes, in difficult conditions, an immaculate team performance.     Best Regards  Nigel Higginbotham

WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT Date: 17-10-09                                                           Ground: Manor Complex Kick-off: 11:00                                                          Competition: Ben Cup Woodfield Madhouse!    Woodhouse Colts   7  v   1  Rainworth Rangers A   Before kick-off the squad is rotated, with Jack and Tom Hubbard, joining Huw and the injured Gammo on the side lines. It’s a confident yet chilled feeling in the Woodhouse camp. A touch too chilled during the warm-up, Glynn gets out the hairdryer and gives the little darlings a blast to warm them through.    Both teams start of settled and pass the ball around, the Rangers are a man short, but push men forward if an attack looks on. Taylor is on hand to sweep the ball away from the tall striker who thinks he’s through on goal.   The Colt’s attacks are going in wave after wave, Macca rattles the steel work, Taylor comes round the back and whistles one in, this causing mayhem and confusion in the ranks of the Rangers defence.   Owen, now relaxed after all the on going transfer speculation, is in inspirational form down the left, with Matty feeding the balls down the line, Owen is only to pleased to cross them in for his team mates to battle for.   The Ranger’s defending is prehistoric at times, with the defence giving the ball the big ‘AVE IT’, into the outer stratosphere, luckily the ball is marked:   The Colt’s U12’s Woodhouse, Nott’s England Europe Earth Nr Moon Solar System Just through black hole   Before the Colt’s supporters get chance to shout WAKEY, WAKEY at the increasing laid back yellow shirts, four members of the Rainworth team hustle and bustle the ball into the penalty area and score, 0-1.   Like an icy splash of water in the face, the Colt’s are jolted back into the here and now, one nil down against the run of play, it’s time to get serious.    In attack the Colt’s move the ball freely up the field, passing, running and supporting, each other off the ball. They are now showing the early signs of having a bit of swagger about them. Shelt’s is bursting with vitality after his holiday and is bobbing about here and bobbing about there, with a cheeky little pass and a nifty little flick, he is on top form.   John and Shelt’s are in attack, they confidently pass the ball around and then slip the ball to Owen; they owe him for the earlier crosses, Owen gives his trusty left boot the required back-lift, gives the keeper no chance and knocks in the equalizer, 1-1.   Seeing how it is done, John and Shelt’s, test the Rangers keeper at every opportunity, Ross Kirby is playing out his skin, time and time again he positions, a glove, a boot or body, between net and ball preventing a hat full of goals going in. It was a fantastic performance between the sticks and saved the Colt’s parents, a fair few quid in to the bargain.   Constant pressure and perseverance, eventually starts to pay off and the goals come thick and fast. Owen obliges Shelt’s with a flick of his own, which Luke is only to pleased to convert, 2-1.   John zig-zags into the box, his legs are still zig zagging when he shoots and the defender blocks, Macca is on hand to blast emphatically into the net, giving Mr Kirby no chance, 3-1.    HALF-TIME  (Ryan, James & John off, Jack, Tubbard & Huw on)   Now the battering had commenced, ‘carry on boys’ was the instruction, to the 15 orange segment filled smiley faces.   Owen not one to hang around goes straight down the pitch to see if the Rangers number one is still at the top of his game, he is, ‘DARN IT!’   Rabbit has his paws full; with the Rangers number eleven Squirrel, thankfully he’s a red squirrel and they are not as nasty has the grey squirrel, even so the furs starting to fly, when these two scrap for the ball.   Shelt’s and Huw link up, Luke spots Huw in the box (you can hardly miss him), places the pass out of keepers reach, for Huw to slide in and grab his first of the season, 4-1.   John is back on the field of play, fully determined to get said ball, past said green shirt before the final whistle. Brad can see John’s frustration and sets him a chance up, John megs the keeper with his left (so he tells me), 5-1.   The Rangers are loosing the plot now; the left leg doesn’t know what the right leg is doing. They have the defence set up like a shooting range, with Ross Kirby left to do what he CAN. John supplies Owen with the ammunition (ball), Owen takes aim and rifles in another, 6-1.   Jack wanders up the field to see what all the fuss is about, he watches the ball, bounce off the cross bar, then get cleared off the line and then roll out perfectly for him to meet with a SWOOSH of leg, SWOOSH of boot and SWOOSH of Nike logo, low hard and unstoppable, 7-1.        Back to the Premier League in a fortnight, a massive derby game against Manor 4th’s, bragging rights are up for grabs, let’s grab em?   Man of the Match: Elliott Holmes - Another impressive performance. Bags of determination, never panics, won the ball time and time again. Man of the Match: Luke C Shelton – Back big style. Like a can of pop, shaken then opened, fizzing all over the place.   Best Regards  Nigel Higginbotham

WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT Date: 10-10-09                                                        Ground: Manor Complex Kick-off: 11:00                                                                        Competition: League   Woodhouse Colt’s 2   v   2   Worksop Town Never throw in the towel!    The greasy bacon butties are going down well, the pitch is a bit greasy too, no bacon or brown sauce there though. Some surprise sunshine thrown in, it’s a zippy pitch, ideal conditions for football.   Worksop Town are nicknamed the Tigers, they have the stripes and a scary badge. The Colt’s set about taming the visitors from the kick-off; they apply some pressure and then find themselves under pressure. The top teams in the Prem are very quick and Worksop are no exception, one minute you have the ball and the next minute they are all over you.   Matty and Rabbit are flanking Hubbard and Elliott in defence, Rob’s over on the right, bacon butty in one hand, flag in the other, keeping them in line. They are tackling well and just as importantly, getting the ball down the wings like Glynn asked.   Ian is on his Jolly’s at Butlin’s and at times you would think the lads were with him. They arrive at the poolside, a fraction of a second too late; all the lounges are occupied or have towels on them. It’s time to get mean boys, throw their towels in the swimming pool and start strutting around like you own the place.   Taylor is getting great service down the right, he’s got his speedo’s on and hurtles down the wing freestyle. Once round the defence a low direct cross is fired in at the front post, the defender steps in and puts the ball out for a corner.         The Colt’s are creating chances through hard work and determination, they get themselves in scoring positions only to find they have flip-flops on and not their usual shooting boots.   The Tigers are gifted attack after attack, when the yellow shirts of Woodhouse have one of those ‘flat spots’ which mysteriously appear throughout the game. Mayhem and confusion ensues when goal-kicks are returned back at us with worrying frequency.     Amazingly there have been no goals, Luke France being a major factor protecting his own little sun spot, from the lively Worksop strike force.   Macca is keeping the wingers well supplied, with poolside refreshment, Owen benefiting from the excellent service, rattles the cross-bar. It’s not ice cream time just yet!   Tom Hubbard finds himself sandwiched between two strikers; he had earlier put in a strong tackle that although fair, had upended their player.  On this occasion Frenchy spots the danger, rushes to Tom’s assistance and oomph’s the ball way way up field.   A free-kick is conceded at the edge of the Colt’s penalty area, the defence dilly dally a little, as the ball comes in; the Tigers don’t and scramble the ball home, 0-1.   The Colt’s supporters gasp and reel in shock, Matty’s  kicked the ball and it is spinning and falling, out of control, dangerously close to the tea and coffee making facility, it just misses, now that was a close one.   It is getting feisty out there, John is pushed over, a free-kick awarded and Macca takes aim. It’s a good shot, low, hard and swerving; unfortunately it is just wide of the post. Gammo has already had to come off with his knee, which is causing him pain.   HALF-TIME (Gammo off - James on, Matty off -Huw on, Rabbit off - Ryan on)   It’s big switcharoo time (no that’s not on spell check) for Glynn, Taylor is up front and James goes out on the wing.   The Tiger’s take advantage from the start, not happy about the wet towels and no sun loungers; they blame Tom Hubbard and go and take the ball off him and stick it in the net, in retaliation, 0-2.   Owen wins a corner and is elected to take it; it is a gem, which Macca meets, reaching a boot across his marker and volleying in to a wall of tiger stripes.   Tom Hubbard is struggling out there, he has been feeling sick all morning and thus another switcharoo, sees Matty at right-back and Ryan partnering Elliott at the heart of defence.   A succession of corners results in a mini come back, by the Colt’s. Elliott is brought up from the back especially to add extra nuisance factor, he is in the right spot and volleys in at the near post, clenching his fist in delight he celebrates his first goal, 1-2.   With Jack forced to retire, to his union Jack towel and reserved lounger, Rabbit’s now back on, I have lost track of the switcharoo’s at this point.   The Worksop lads keep an even tempo of high performance running right through the whole game, Woodhouse are up and down, like the young kids on the water slide.   Frenchy is pulling off saves left, right and centre to keep the Tic-Tac twins and their team mates from spoiling the vacation. Huw’s now playing in his third position of the game and with everything that’s going on, the Colt’s go for one final push.   Taylor is already eyeing up the ice creams and ice lollies, puts a FAB ball through for Macca, who kicks off the flip-flops, puts in a couple of TWISTER’S, before hitting a ROCKET of a  shot, left footed, for a vital last minute equalizer, 2-2.        Man of the Match: Luke France – An inspired performance by the Colt’s number 1. A selection of classy saves kept Worksop at bay.   Best Regards  Nigel Higginbotham

WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT Date: 3-10-09                                                             Ground: Manor Complex Kick-off: 11:00                                                           Competition: Nott’s Shield Codd’s Walloped!    Woodhouse Colts   4   v   1  Winthorpe & Coddington   With the nets going up and the invisible cones in place, a couple of the early arrivals kick a roll of net tape around. W&C have blown in to town on a strong westerly wind; they look big and tall in training tops and then suddenly shrink once they are removed.   All the action is in the Tigers half, the Colt’s aren’t sure what to make of them and toy around, getting to know them, over in their half.   Taylor and Owen, Gammo and John are busy making the most of all the balls being dutifully returned up the field, lots of triangular passing is creating chances galore. The immense pressure is making the Tigers flap and with Macca and Jack penning them in from the back, W&C frantically search for the cat-flap, out of their own half.   When they finally do escape up the field the C&W striker is the filling in an Elliott and Tubbard sandwich, not the most ideal route to goal. One corner is all C&W could muster in the first half, playing into the wind. The number 4 (the refs chatty little friend) ran around in a tight spiral, in order to make Jack dizzy, before passing through the back-line.   HALF-TIME (Ryan & Huw off, Rabbitt & Matty on)   Juiced up on pure orange juice and with the magic formula from Glynn (a large dollop of extra effort, mixed with sprinkling of sharpness) The Colt’s are ready to hit some goals.   Taylor’s sheer persistence wins a corner, the resulting set play, eventually falls to Jack on the ‘D’, it’s a nice strike up and over the scramble of players and just over the bar.       The strikers are getting chance after chance, they are right in the goalies face now, Gammo thumps in a shot, the keeper stops it and John (in exactly the same position as last week) aims for net and sky and not just sky, 1-0.   Elliott’s not happy with being fouled in the first-half; his ball up the field is instrumental in creating the second goal, through John, to Mr Gamtastic, and in she goes, 2-0.     The wind didn’t really help the Colt’s in the 1st half, but it helps the Tigers now. The ball looping backwards from a Woodhouse clearance, surprises the Tigers number 14, who finds himself in front of goal with ball, 2-1.   Jack’s heads throbbing, red allover like a beetroot, he watches has a Woodhouse corner, assisted by the wind, quickly and in a split second, ends up as a Tigers attack, Frenchy is also watching, adjusting his position and collecting the ball, COOL!   Taylor thumps the post with a stinging shot, which drops kindly into the keepers arms.      The Tigers have their claws out now, which snag Macca’s shirt and a free-kick is awarded, Jack picks the clearance up, takes it out left and whistles the ball perfectly across the face of goal, the strikers, stretch and contort, unable to get anything on such a tempting treat of a ball.         It’s an epiphany moment, Woodhouse finally realize they should be umpteen goals to the good, chuck in what is left of the effort and with an extra handful of sharpness, push on, big style.   John puts the ball, where the Tigers don’t like it; Owen is in position and skillfully rolls the ball down his leg and himself on to the score sheet, 3-1.   Tom is the defensive marshall; it has been a solid performance from the lads at the back. In every instance they have been on guard sweeping up ball, player and leaves, with out delay.   Jimbo’s come to watch his team mates he cannot cheer, his throat is too sore. He admires Matty’s composure and the delicate flight of the ball down the wing, for Macca to collect and cross in. John’s in the box and takes the fluffiest of shot’s ever, time stops still (players check their boot laces, the Tigers number 4 moans at the referee, autumn turns into winter...) 4-1.   It’s becoming a bit of a Jolly now, Huw feeds an attack splitting, midfield splitting, defence splitting ball, from the back, straight to the front, three yellow shirts are on their marks and their OFF, off-side it seems, not so sure about that one.   Man of the Match: Not issued, good all round team performance.  Back to the Premier League at the weekend, with a confident performance and the same desire from the second-half, Worksop are more than beatable. Best Regards  Nigel Higginbotham

WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT Date: 26-9-09                                                                          Ground: Manor Complex Kick-off: 11:30                                                                        Competition: League Balls of fire!  It’s very busy up at the Manor Complex. The hamburger man whistles and sizzles away with glee. The clatter of studs on tarmac, mixed in with the rustle of autumn leaves. ITS GOOD TO BE HOME! The yellow shirts of Woodhouse, take immediate control of the ball and hence the game, ‘a loose ball is our ball’ is the new philosophy. Taylor is in amongst the early action, getting the first shot of the game and then back down the pitch, turning his marker to open up the play and get the attack going again. Teversal start to show a little composer and move swiftly down the right, the final ball headed over, like a warning shot across the bows. With 5 minutes on the clock, the old John to Gammo double act, breaks the deadlock, Gammo gets enough space, to side foot the ball to the right of the advancing keeper, 1-0. Teversal respond and create a bit of chaos in the Woodhouse penalty area, the ball hits the post, Elliott, industrious as ever, clears the ball and in it comes again for Luke to save. Ryan is playing at right-back and fits in the position a treat, with that little bit more space; he is able to tackle and then distribute the ball up the field. Huw is up against the tricky number 16, he drifts around and needs Huw’s full concentration at all times.   Jack has been busy in the middle, he is carrying on from is excellent performance last week (which I did not mention in the match report and am still kicking myself for), anyway he is like a rock out there and any time soon is going to score and it will be Jackpot joy for the Hardy’s.    Next the ball is in from the left, Macca heads it towards goal, John chests it down and then kicks it over from a foot out, one for the Ian Wright video of football bloomers. (John doesn’t read my match reports, so if you’re John’s son reading this in the future, it was a sitter your grandma could have scored). Teversal are not scared to get their head in there, this endeavour wins a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area. The number 19 is up to take it and wellies it over the wall, over Luke and high into the net, 1-1. With Elliott in central defence and Ryan at right- back the defence do look that bit more steady, Elliott is blocking and heading like he’s defending the Alamo and finally clears the danger, with an open goal behind him, ‘that was close?’      HALF-TIME The Colts are back in their positions ready for kick-off, Teversal are still busy getting the big ‘what for’. With the half-time team talk ringing in their ears, Tevy push on and create a couple of chances, this lowers the Managers heart rate and gives a lift to the red and white supporters. Jacks in for another 50/50 ball, they are really growing on him now and he doesn’t want to miss out on any of them, the Tevy player is going off them very quickly and who can blame him. Taylor and Macca link up; they look the business, are the business, fast, direct and scare the hell out the opposition. The ball goes from Macca, sends Taylor to the bi-line, the pull back is quickly blocked for a corner. That was a practise run, this time it’s for real, the ball floats in a treat,     for Gammo to volley home, 2-1. Macca tracks back and scoops the ball back and up the field, the Stags   scout nods his head in admiration. Jacks knackered, injured and giving it his all, he finally runs out of     steam after taking one in the nutzski’s for the team. (Jack off / James on, Owen off / Shelt’s on, Ryan off / Matty on) Gradually Teversal work themselves back into the game and feel they could squeak a share of the points. The Colt’s have let them off the hook and Tevy know it. A cross from the left, Elliott is in the box defending his goals once then twice, he cannot do it all himself and the Tevy number 16 eventually scores the inevitable goal, 2-2.   When the ball moves up the field from A to B via C and D, it can be pretty intricate stuff. In the game the ball was pinging about up above at times and needed a cool head to bring It down and get the alphabet going again. Man of the Match: Jack Hardy – Most improved player this season, wants it, works hard for it, fantastic. Man of the Match: Bradley Peace McDonald – I’m sure Brads’s got Lampard and Gerrard, mentoring him. On a massive improvement curve, onwards and upwards.  Best Regards  Nigel Higginbotham   CONFIDENCE – doubt whom you will, but never doubt yourself.

WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT Date: 19-9-09                                                     Ground: Brinckley Kick-off: 12:00                                                   Competition: League Good game, shame about the score! The car parks full and so is the trophy cabinet, Southwell (or Suthall) either way they are a very good team and are busy preparing with an intense warm-up routine as we arrive. You can smell the money driving through town past the minster, no raffle draw confirms they have a bob or two round here. Ian spent £7 in the transfer market; the Spartans probably didn’t get much change out of a fifty pound note. It’s a small pitch and requires a bit of adjusting to, The Colt’s make themselves at home very quickly, settling into a new formation, which pins the Spartans in their own half. Southwell Spartans have a brand new kit, which they want to show-off, they spend the first ten minutes defending, the Colt’s don’t like show-offs. The referee is oh so whistle happy and is virtually playing a tune out there. Both teams raise their game, to stop him taking the leading role. It’s quickly becoming a physical battle, the Colt’s have been on the extra strong mints and hold their own; this extra pinch of aggression keeps them in the game. James is in a scrap with his marker, trying to get ahead and on the ball, both players’ aren’t giving an inch and they end up in a right tangle.  The Spartans get to go forward, Rabbit and Tom have it covered and the balls put out for a throw-in. Next they get a free-kick which is headed wide and is a warning of things to come. Elliott is playing alongside Tom in the centre of defence; they are battling the Spartans with both head and boot. When the Spartan strikers are asking for it Tom and Elliott are feeling generous enough to give it them! The Tans get a free-kick, the Colt’s are slow to get to the ball, Derren Brown’s still got them stuck to the spot, the Spartan striker is quick and deadly and breaks the deadlock, 1-0. The Tans try again, two’s goals are always better than one, Tom forms a brick wall, there is only one brick in it, but you won’t shift it, the striker bounces off in a heap. At times the Spartan army are taking Tom on, on his own, he puts another big tackle in, he hammers out a tune on the oppositions shin pad and on this occasion the ref doesn’t join in on his whistle. Brad is like an I pod, he has an app for this and back helping in defence, he as an app for that, if you need someone to get their head on the ball he has an app for that too, in fact he has an app for just about anything. John’s playing up front just behind Gammo, they play well together, John gets a bit of room, “There you go mate, latch onto that”, the ball is, just where we need it, past the defence, not near the keeper, Gammo locks on and shows it to the keeper, before knocking it past him with venom, 1-1. Just before the interval, the Tans get another free-kick; they beat the off-side trap, near the left post, a black and white shirt is in on goal and leathers the ball home, 2-1.         HALF-TIME (John to midfield, James & Jack off, Owen & Shelt’s on).      10 minutes in (Rabbit, Huw, & Elliott off, Nat, Matt &Ryan on). Nat’s impressed in training and stands tall in defence, determination         gets him to the ball and he distributes it up the wing for Alex to hook up with. A throw in finds Shelt’s in the middle, he puts a mazy dribble in, down the left, knocks the ball in and the Tan defence fight for their lives, to get it out for a corner. Macca’s running the show now, hard work here, hard work there, lots of hard work absolutely everywhere.  Two more free-kicks, near goal give the Colt’s fans a little hope of an equaliser. Macca steps up for the first and misses by a whisker. Tom Hubbard steps forward for the second, the refs playing a merry tune on the whistle again and Tom has to take it again, the ball is heading for the angle but his geometry is a smidge out and the ball sails just by.  ‘A Spartan fights to the end’, one particular warrior in the black and white ranks, snatches himself a long range goal from nowhere to spoil a great Colt’s performance, 3-1. A close game which could have gone either way, you always need to show plenty of guts to achieve glory. All 4 1 & 1 4 and you could actually finish in the top four. Man of the Match: Bradley Peace McDonald – Brads got the skill and ability, add his desire and fortitude, AWSOME!     Best Regards  Nigel Higginbotham

WOODHOUSE COLTS U12’s MATCH REPORT Date: 12-9-09                                                                       Ground: Bracken Park Kick-off: 11:00                                                                      Competition: League The Percentage Game! The sunshine gleams on the hot tin roof of Underwood’s changing rooms. The fans gather and mingle on the ranch style veranda, which looks out over the pitch below, green, stripy and inviting. The ball is on the centre spot; let’s face it we are well and truly back in football heaven. 16 players together at last, increases the pressure to perform on the pitch and provides the opportunity for the bench to come on and make a big impact. The Colt’s kick-off and ease themselves cautiously into division one football; it fits nicely and is rather snug. The Colt’s creating some nice pressure from the start, with Gammo wrestling his way through the villa defence and getting an early sniff at goal.  Underwood Villa are organised and have a set route to goal, it is via the midfield and involves a calculated ball up to the Villa number 8. The Villa striker is like an automaton, receives the ball in his stride, takes a couple of strides forward and once free of the defender, hits the ball into the net, 1-0. Tubbard is no slouch and knows he now needs to keep one step ahead of this awesome goal machine. The striker is immediately back in amongst the action, breaking through the backline and bearing down on goal, Tom Hubbard is determined to put the spanner in the works and gets in a perfect challenge, putting the ball out for a throw in. So committed is Tubbard, one day he will go home with a broken leg, but do not fear, it wont be his own. Rabbit is busy in defence, on the right, getting tackle in after tackle and passing the ball intelligently up the field. This allows a breather, but it is not long before the ball is back and the number 8 is using his magnetic powers to meet the ball, while drifting into space and shooting, this time it is just wide. John brings the ball forward and slides Macca through between the claret and blue backline. The Villa don’t give you much time anywhere on the pitch and Macca’s shot is tamed by the hounding defensive presents.     Gammo is brought to ground and the Colts get a free-kick in a good position on the right wing, with the box loaded with yellow shirts, Taylor whistles one in, it’s another 50/50 ball going begging for a Colt to throw a 100% at… In a way the Colts are defeating themselves by not bossing the game, Underwood are gritty but fair, The Colts don’t have that same fortitude. There’s a dog on the pitch, “put a yellow shirt on it,” shouts Andy from the touchline. The dogs not a footballer and just wants a fuss and the Colts oblige stroking its tummy. With the dog escorted of the field of play, Villa remain focused, intercept a throw in, bang the ball over to the back of the box and the number 11, tees it up, yes tees it up a treat, for maximum power and maximum effect. He then lashes it into the back of the net, yes lashes, it was definitely lashed, 2-0. Division one is not so comfortable now, the Colts are loosing shape fast, like an old baggy jumper.       HALF-TIME The players line up in the shadow of the dugout, it’s unusually warm, I think summer has arrived folks! The coaches ring the changes (Ryan, John & Owen off and James, Jack & Shelt’s on). The message is clear, the Colt’s are not up for the 50/50 balls, win these and the second half can be so different. Woodhouse are kicking down hill, the subs and substituted are on top of and in side the dug out. A loft of pigeons fly over like a red arrow display team, even the pigeon are passionate about what they do, in Underwood.    Macca’s got the X factor (Yes I’m watching TV and doing my match report) takes the stage and hits a long range shot, ‘HAND BALL!’ the yellows protest, the ref blows and awards the free-kick at the edge of the area. The ref is on the judging panel and gives the Underwood player a NO! (Nat & Matty on, Huw & Rabbit off) Shelt’s is up to take the free-kick, it looks a long way, Shelt’s hits it ‘Ronaldo style’ for the bottom corner, it’s curling in, the keeper is alert and cuts out the danger. James is on the right wing, the Villa keeper passes the ball out to the right-back, James charges him down, it was a 100% Underwood, but by shear determination, James tips the balance back 100% in favour of Woodhouse. Underwood must be returning 80-90% of Luke’s goal-kicks, because we don’t like to compete with the ‘Big Boys’, Taylor is not prepared to be overshadowed and gets his nut on a big kick, that’s more like it.   Gammo is busy down the left and forces a corner from no where, Macca looses his marker by hiding behind the ref, there is a couple more yellow shirts lurking in the shadows and Jack leaps on to the clearance and shoots, he holds his head in disappointment as the keeper is there to collect the ball. The balls in the ditch again, hang on folks while I get it. A bit of controversy next, Gammo is fouled, the ref gives the decision to Villa, Gaz shouts “Gordon Bennett referee”, Gordon Bennett’s the Underwood linesman and is surprised to hear his name. 10 minutes to go, Underwood wind down the clock, players on, with suddenly very slow players off, the balls no longer in the ditch , its in the woods, Ray Mears is in there somewhere, wondering what’s going on. The final whistle blows, the Colts are still stuck on 75% effort, the other 25% is hiding at the moment. Underwood like South Normanton have got a lot of ability, confidence and a winning mentality, they expect to win a 50/50 ball, unfortunately we expect them to win the 50/50 ball.       Man of the Matchs: 6.25% for each member of the team.   Best Regards  Nigel Higginbotham