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An early rise, a warm and sunny start and a victory less convincing than last week, but a victory nonetheless. We had a squad of 16, so consistency was never going to be easy, and our passing game so eloquently displayed last week never really got going. The mole ridden pitch and the long grass did not help matters, but we chased and harried and made Colchester work very hard for any openings.
The early exchanges were even, but we were slowly gaining the territorial advantage and 15 minutes in Joe scored our first, and his second of the season. His good work had forced a corner, which he took. The ball ricochet around but fell to our new left winger whose clean strike low to the keepers right gave us the lead. Ten minutes before the break Luke helped himself to his third of the season, with a goal not too dissimilar from his second last week. Finding himself on the right of the box Luke was being urged to cross the ball, however he drifted a delicate shot over the keeper into the far corner.
At half time we performed the changing of the guard. Jack replaced George. Mark swapped with Patrick. The strikers, James and Luke, swapped with Harry LA and Cameron, whilst Sam was rested in favour of Daniel. I was at pains to emphasise that no-one deserved to come off, but in the interests of fairness we had to make sure all the lads got a game.
The second half started much as the first left off, and within minutes we had scored our third. A corner from the left was only half cleared and found Harry C lurking at the edge of the box. He kept his head down and his knee over the ball to deliver a crisp low drive into the corner of the goal, another great strike for Earls Colne.
After that we lost ground and found ourselves pinned back by Colchester. Whilst our defence was resolute they struggled to link with the midfield, who in turn struggled to link with the strikers. When we won the ball, we tended to quite quickly give it back to the opposition. Colchester fashioned two notable chances – the first was an impressive header from their striker that went over the bar and the second a fine reaction save by Thomas following a short range shot.
Luke replaced Joe with ten minutes to go, and whilst we edged the game back into their half no clear chances were created. Overall a workman like display, full of grit and determination, but lacking that extra factor we all love to see. With two more players potentially available next week my headaches continue. Who to pick? Who to rest? Whether to dare, be fair or be safe? I remind myself that it is because of these momentous decisions that I am paid so much, so I must not complain. Many thanks to Kevin for running the line and Val for the snacks.
Man of the Match – Jake – never beaten! Awesome power but growing maturity, control and skill. |