Wilden Villages U12s vs Colts U12s

After Storm Alex had passed through the midlands and deposited a months-worth of rain in 48 hours, the rain abated and the clouds dispersed in time for Colts 5th outing of the season on the Glorious 'Costa del Wilden' on Sunday afternoon, 4th October. The Autumnal weather meant that, for the first time this season coats and umbrellas were a requisite for those attending although by kick-off the sun was indeed working hard to make its presence felt. Manager Stephen Coopey opted for a slight change in formation to a 3-3-1-1 with Nathan box occupying an attacking midfield position. The team lined up with Cam “lastminute.com” Elton in goal, a back 3 of Beale, Glazzard and Sivaharan, Heywood in the middle of the park, flanked by Bousfield and Coopey Jr, Nathan Box in the advanced midfield position and Conner James up front. A ridiculously strong bench consisted of Fisher, Johnson, Perks and Davies and Clarke was unavailable.
After a typically frenetic opening few minutes Colts quickly settled into a rhythm with some slick passing and a combative spirit, having the lions share of early possession. This bore fruit after only 5 minutes with Beale thundering a shot from distance that the home keeper could only parry into the path of the grateful Bousfield who slotted home for 1-0.
Colts looked solid at the back and gave their opponents little, going forward they carried a constant threat with James, Heywood, Coopey and Box posing all kinds of problems for the home defence. Coopey had a decent effort from a free kick well saved at the near post, before Bousfield turned provider in a similar fashion to the first goal – hitting a rocket that the home keeper did well to push away, only to find Coopey who steadied himself and calmly placed home at the far post. 2-0 after 15 minutes and Colts were on a roll.
City continued to apply pressure and were constantly first to the ball, winning the 50/50 challenges, and most pleasingly not letting the loose balls bounce. Box looked to be enjoying himself more than at any time previously this season in his central role – pouncing on any loose ball and supplying both Conner James and the wide duo who continued to pillage their way into the opponents penalty box. Heywood was enjoying a typically bustling game and was unlucky not to hit the target with a shot from range after 20 minutes. Ollie Bousfield, having his most accomplished 30 minutes in a blue-and-white shirt took on the Wilden right-back time and time again and probably deserved more out of the first half than his 1 goal and 1 assist suggested.
Defensively, Glazzard seemed to be brimming with confidence and time after time his intelligent reading of the game and of the ball snuffed out any forward threat from Wilden. Beale yet again turned in a superb first half performance, winning almost everything that came down the right-hand side. Sivaharan was yet again immense both in and out of possession and provided the spark for the third goal, weaving his way through the midfield before his shot was charged down – the ball falling for James who advanced on the keeper and slid home on 25 minutes.
Manager Coopey rang the changes at half time as expected; Box, James and Bousfield were replaced by Fisher, Davies and Perks respectively, with Fisher occupying a deeper role and allowing Heywood to advance.
Wilden came out with renewed purpose after the break, and initially threatened to gain a foothold in the game. Elton, who’d been chiefly unemployed in the first half was called into some sharp saves on numerous occasions, as the home team showed a determination that was a little lacking before the break. The change in formation and personnel seemed to throw Colts somewhat and space started to appear in the midfield where Heywood and Box were in control beforehand. The unfortunate Perks initial presence was cut short by a rash challenge 5 minutes into the second half, and with a set of stud marks on his shin to show for his efforts he was replaced by Johnson. The game descended into a scrappy affair with neither team wrestling any meaningful control. Elton was the busier of the keepers for the first half of the second period and consistently showed an assured pair of hands (and on one occasion, feet!) to repel any Wilden attacks. Fisher provided a cool head as the half wore on, and the busy Davies worked hard to carve out a couple of half-chances as Colts sat deeper and soaked up the pressure with relative ease. It was only with the phased reintroduction of Box, Perks, Conner James and Bousfield that Colts looked to reassert their dominance, and with 5 minutes left, Box cleverly gained enough space to whip in a cross which Davies scooped in at the near post to complete the scoring. The considerable crowd went wild(ish) and applauded the boys of the pitch at full time.
The coaching team will be pleased with the performance (and the avoidance of a potential banana-skin) and will look forward to next weeks cup clash in positive mood.
Players man-of-the-match was James Glazzard – fully deserved and James is really starting to look like an accomplished defender
Coaches man-of-the-match was Nathan Box, brimming with confidence and trickery and seemingly really enjoying his football.