Substitutes: Walters, Hood, Middleton.

Dry and sunny though cold at the home of football. Another new team this week after a long lay off over the half term break. Lets hope the team have not lost any sharpness.  Straight from the off we can see how the Colts want to play which is to throw numbers forward fast. Westbury rebuff the early attack and look really up for it. Early pressure from Lister and Russell wins a free-kick which is taken by Woodland. The ball flies straight to Sinclair but he is not able to get good contact and tips the ball over the bar. A near miss.

Woodland presses forward on one of his charging runs but is finally crowded out. Sinclair and Lister are managing to string together a number of good moves. Westbury win a corner but no – one can do anything with the low hard-ball which ricochets around the Colts penalty area before the goalie finally manages to collect it.

Westbury continue to pressurize and win a free kick almost at the corner flag. A well judged cross but no – one is in position to finish it.

Colts break but Howl is quick to react and neutralize the threat. A long throw in from Woodland finds Russell but he is being closely marked and cannot shake of his marker. Colts break again and blast a low ball into the side netting. Wow – dangerous . There is an appeal but the referee was watching closely and motions for a goal kick.  Colts push through the middle but the final pass forward to the centre forward was just too much and Howl is able to sprint out and intercept the ball.  Howls clearance is intercepted and the defense are at sixes and sevens as Colts take a speculative shot from the edge of the area which curves into corner of the net past Howls outstretched arms, unlucky.

1 - 0 Colts. A little against the run of the play.

Woodland off Hood on.

Sinclair off Middleton on

Westbury concentration seems to have lapsed and Colts take their chances and steal another.

2 - 0 Colts 

Russell off Walters on.

Colts launch a floating free kick into the Westbury penalty area but cannot get any power to the header and Howl easily collects. Safe hands. Walters is straight onto the clearance and puts the defense under pressure wining a corner. Hood takes it and the ball describes a perfect arc into the back of the net. There is a suggestion that it took a deflection off a defender – unlucky Colts but we will take it.

Colts 2 Westbury 1.

Westbury are back in the game. They are chasing every ball and working hard for each other. A bit more communication would go a long way.

Hood tries his luck from long range on his left foot but the goalie had it covered. Bowen sees his chance and surges forward through the middle before running out of options. Come on guys.  Westbury continue to create chances but none find the spot. Referee blows for half time.

Half Time Colts 2 Westbury 1

No change at the restart – come on Westbury you are still in this one. Colts win a throw in but the attack breaks down. Westbury counter and win a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Hood steps forward to take it, a well struck shot forces a great save from the Colts keeper. OOOh close.

Colts win a corner – their first of the game but the short ball is easily intercepted by Hood. McNab launches a huge throw to Middleton whose touch escapes him and Colts pick up the loose ball.

Price makes one of his trademark clearances jumping to meet a high ball and sending it back where it came. Colts are a bit flustered and clear for a corner. Westbury fail to capitalize on the opportunity and Colts counter quickly. There is a man over and the Colts centre forward has only the goalie to beat. The Westbury fans dare not to look. Howl narrows the angle and with lightning reflexes sticks out a foot to push the shot wide. What a stop.

The pace of the game is starting to take its toll and a bit of pushing and shoving sees players on both sides needing attention. The referee is not standing for any nonsense and the offenders receive a ticking off. 

Price off Woodland on

Colts make a substitution and regain a bit of composure. They are holding Westbury in their half of the field. Preventing the team from spreading the play. Westbury look a bit vulnerable when confined like this and their skills one on one with the Colts could be sharper. Colts take a long shot but it is way over the bar. Howl kicks long to Hood who slides a neat pass to Middleton but he is quickly closed down. Colts are starting to look a bit dangerous. Woodland finds the ball at his feet after a goalmouth scramble and sends it back with interest but the goalie is there and takes it well.

Walters off Russell on.

Middleton off Sinclair on

McNab tries his luck from the half way line with a long-range effort. The goalie cannot take a risk and has to touch it wide of the post. Corner. Russell takes the short ball and turns his man but has nowhere to go.

Colts stitch together a couple of neat passes and send a teasing ball across the face of the net. It looks to have too much on it for the centre forward and Howl pounces but somehow the ball breaks free, the attacker cuts back inside and slots it home. Howl is on his feet and straight up pointing to the dead ball line but the referee does not agree and the goal stands.

3 – 1 Colts

Westbury continue to play some very enjoyable football and never let their heads go down. Lister and Sinclair both pepper the goal with shots but cannot seem to find the mark.

Sensing that time is almost up Westbury push every one forward for a last corner kick. The ball flies straight from the spot to the goalie who spotting the opportunity, launches the lone centre forward towards goal. He puts the game beyond reach.

4 – 1 Colts

Westbury do not let their heads go down and continue to play right to the end but it is not going to be our day. The whistle ends the day.

Colts 4 Westbury 1.

Man of the match Hood

Managers’ Comments
Both the referee and Colts Managers’ congratulated us our own performance and explained that the result doesn’t reflect the game today (I agree), so you must take heart from that we are playing the right type of football, we just need to take our chances and not give the ball aware too freely.