Colts Edge Victory Over Badgers!

The Colts scored a later winner to snatch victory over WCFC U15s The Badgers in a seven-goal thriller at Castle Combe earlier today. The Badgers lined up 4-4-2 with the only change from last week seeing Bailey partnering Jack P in central defence and Teddy and Theo returning on the bench. The Colts made their intentions clear from the start, utilising the long ball over the top for their tall Number 10 to run onto, an effective tactic that The Badgers struggled with all game. The Badgers had an early chance when Ashton fed a lovely ball through to release Nathan, only for the on-rushing Colts keeper to block with his legs. The Colts took the lead after 3 minutes when the Number 10 striker got clear down the right and crossed for his strike partner to sweep the ball home from close range. The Colts were on top, winning more first and second ball especially up front putting the Badgers under pressure but every time the Badgers did attack, they looked threatening. Eddie had two dangerous looking crosses blocked. Nathan, looking really sharp up front, produced another great full length save from the Colts keeper and from the resultant Bailey corner from the left, Toby rose majestically to head the Badgers level after 8 minutes. The Badgers then produced arguably their best move of the game, when a flowing interchange started on the right touchline with Harvey and Eddie saw Nathan switch the ball across the box for Jack to flash a low hard drive just past the post. Corners were causing both teams problems with the Colts hitting the post from their next. They regained the lead after 20 minutes in fortuitous fashion. Another long through ball wasn't cut out by the Badgers defence and William's clearance slammed into their striker and ricocheted back into the empty net to make it 2-1. The Badgers almost equalised immediately when a free kick from Bailey was tipped over the bar by the impressive Colts keeper. They did make it 2-2 only 4 minutes later however when Man of the Match Ashton showed great opportunism to run from the left through the centre, gambling on getting between keeper and defender to pounce on a Jack P long ball to roll the ball into the empty net. The rest of the half saw The Colts pressing but with Theo now introduced at left back closing down their number 10, the Badgers seemed to weather the storm, only for another corner right on half time to find its way to the back post where it was turned in, leaving the Colts ending a pulsating half 3-2 in front.

Half time saw another tactical switch from the Badgers with Louis introduced up front to add more physical presence and Teddy on left midfield to add more pace, with Ashton switching to the right and Joe coming on at right back. The switches worked in giving The Badgers more control and they pushed the Colts back and enjoyed their best spell of the game. Jack had 2 shots narrowly wide and Captain Sonny fizzed a long-range drive into the keeper's body. The game was now becoming stretched and a reverse of the first half, with the Badgers enjoying more possession but the Colts looking threatening on the break. Only a great defensive header from Bailey stopped the Colts going further in front and on 63 minutes a flick header from Louis released Jack through the centre one on one with the keeper who saved well. But Jack and the Badgers weren't to be denied and the equaliser they had threatened all half came when he cut in from the left and somehow squeezed the ball in from close range to make it 3-3. The game was now end-to-end with both teams pressing for a winner. It was the Colts who re-took the lead 8 minutes from time with another through ball down the centre breaking to the Colts striker to score past William's despairing dive. They almost put the game beyond doubt when they hit the bar from yet another corner. Throwing caution to the wind and going 3 at the back almost paid off for the Badgers when Eddie's through ball played Jack in but his rising drive went agonisingly just wide. And so a talented and committed Castle Combe Colts shaded the game 4-3 but the Badgers have plenty of positives to take from their second half performance in particular and the character they showed to equalise 3 times in the game. A bit more luck on another day would have seen them grab a draw or even the win. It is already shaping up to be a highly competitive and entertaining Mid Wilts U15s Blue division this year!