Opening Day Anti-Climax!

The start of the 2021/22 season turned out to be a big anti-climax as the Colts went down 3-1 to Balgonie Scotia. In hindsight, in could have been very different as we had more than enough chances to put a different reflection on the game.

The first goal of the campaign only took 4 minutes as Reid looked surprised that he had plenty of time to slide home from close range. Five minutes later Balgonie doubled their advantage when Hendry rounded Mark Robertson and then took his time to find the right angle to crash home past the retreating defenders.

At the other end, Rory Marshall headed a corner into the ground and wide, Jamie Forrester cut inside and had a shot saved and then Callum Grindlay had a volley from the edge of the area cleared off the line after the keeper had came to the edge of his area to clear before Dan Kenny pulled a goal back on 29 minutes when he smashed home after Marshall's shot had been blocked.

The two-goal buffer was quickly restored just two minutes later when Kelly tapped home from close range unmarked from a low driven free kick into the Colts penalty area. It summed up a poor defensive display from the visitors.

Marshall, the Colts' Man of the Match, went close with a header moments later when his header came back off the post and was grabbed on the line by the home keeper. Kenny had another chance in the 34th minute but wasted the opportunity to lay off for a clear chance at goal, instead opting to swivel but shoot into the side netting.

Andrew Reade fired over a good chance from a Grindlay lay off in the 51st minute, whilst the Colts' only other second half chance of serious note came in unorthodox fashion when keeper Robertson volleyed a clearance deep upfield and nearly catching his opposite number out with a goalbound effort.

It was a disappointing performance on the whole for the Colts and they must do much better on Tuesday evening when they visit Bowhill Rovers at Wallsgreen Park.