Match Report - SHREWSBURY JUNIORS COLTS - 9 Apr 2017

A late kick-off was arranged to allow some of the ladies time to recover after celebrating Jo’s birthday the day before. The coaches hadn’t predicted such balmy weather though so early in the year. A sun-baked, bumpy pitch coupled with an improving Juniors team provided a stiff test for Colts in yet another useful friendly fixture arranged by the management team.

Colts were quick out of the blocks. In the second minute, Ryan won ball on the left edge of the box, twisted and turned before playing in Will who smashed it first time into the roof of the net to give Colts the lead.

Six minutes later, Will almost made in two after his looping shot from the right wing hit the top of the cross bar.

Four minutes into the second period, George took a low cross from Matty into his stride, turned inside his defender and tucked away sharply with his left foot to make it 2-0.

Less than a minute later, Cole intercepted the ball on the half way line and passed the ball forward to the feet of George, who took it to the outside of the defender and hit a looping left-footed shot which fell over the head of the keeper into the net for Colts to go 3-0 up.

Juniors played some nice football and created their own chances. Zen came off his line on a few occasions to snuff out the danger and made a good reaction save after a fiercely hit shot was struck from the right wing.

Just before half time Zen made a great diving save from a long-range Juniors’ effort. Juniors continued to pile on the pressure and were soon rewarded with a deserved goal after their big defender rose highest from a corner to nod in a header. (3-1)

Due to the unseasonable heatwave, a decision was made to play the last 30 minutes over three periods with drinks breaks in-between. Four minutes into the first period George tucked away a simple chance after Will had headed forward from a cleared corner. (4-1)

Zen had to be at his best a few minutes later as he dived low to block a shot after an incisive Juniors’ move.

The last two periods gave the coaches chance to try out players in different positions. Zen took on a centre midfield role while George and Ryan did a ‘Neville brothers’ double act in defence! Freddie and Cole both made great saves while taking their turn in goal to maintain Colts 4-1 lead to seal a hard-fought win against a useful Juniors team.