Challenge Cup 2nd Round
Chichester Colts hosted Midhurst and Easbourne today for the next round of the challenge cup.
The game started scrappy, with both teams taking a little time to settle down, but both radiating an heir of determination.
Just 4 minutes in Jamie found himself in front of goal and had a shot,but sadly it went wide.
Both teams were hungry for the ball but after some good defending from the opposition, Colts found themselves with a corner, but the first goal wasn’t meant to happen just yet. . 1 minute later and after yet more great defensive play from Midhusrt, another corner.Fletcher managed to get his head on it, but again iit wasn’t meant to be.
Colts started to settle a little after 10 minutes or so and after some good work from Fletcher and some nice simple passing, Jack had a shot but it went wide.
This is when Colts started to settle into the game and some nice passing and linked up plays started to happen. Jazzy found the ball at his feet in the 15th minute, so he took a long shot, but again, it just didn’t find the back of the net!
Perseverance and Leo being the cool headed midfielder he is, led to a lovely ball to Vinnies feet, and after a shot from outside the box, the ball slotted into the top corner of the net! 1-0 to Colts.
It took another 10 minutes of toing and froing from both teams, Midhurst digging deep and keeping their energy levels high, but Oscar in the 28th minute, showed off some fabulous skills, running through 3 of their defenders with his handy footwork, but sadly running out of space.
A few minutes later, Leo found himself 20 yards out and hit a curling left footed shot into the top corner. The keeper managed to get a hand to it, that ball was going nowhere but the back of the net! 2-0!
HT 2-0
Beginning of the second half and both teams rearing to go with it still all to play for.
Fletcher came out to clear the ball and unintentionally caught their striker, giving Midhurst a free kick 10 yards outside the box. Noah, Max and Daniel put their shifts in and yet again made sure it didn’t come to anything.
The chances for the Colts started to ramp up. They started to find each other with simple play and some great movement, using the whole pitch. Jack started to run of attempts with a free kick that hit the bar, followed by Vinnie hitting a wide shot in the 44th minute.
Fletcher played yet another great cross to Vinnie, leading to another wide shot under attack from Midhursts defence!
Patients paid off in the 56th minute,the ball was crossed from Fletcher, Jack hit it straight in the back of the net. 3-0 Colts.
With colts now controlling a lot of the game, Midhurst were still putting in some great tackles and energy, however in the 65th minute, Theo played a ball from midfield and after a scuffle in the box, Vinnie managed to kick the ball over his own head, where in managed to bounce straight through the keepers legs and into the goal. 4-0 Colts.
The Player of the Match went to Noah for some great defensive play throughout the game.
A special mention to the Referee today who was fantastic with both teams. Refs get a lot of backlash, but he showed fairness, patience and took time to explain his choices to the boys and educate them.👏🏻