Date	Sunday 11th September 2011
Match	Royston Town Youth Colts v Huntingdon Rowdies
Competition	Cambridge & District Colts League Division 12A
Result	Won 3-2
Royston Scorers	Lynson, Tom T, Keiran
Man of Match	Kyle

 Team: Rory, Tom F, Tom T, Kyle, Joe, Keiran, Matt, Callum, Bruce, Lynson, Jack H, Bradley & Jack D

The new season had finally arrived and there were certainly many changes on and off the pitch. Having won the U11 Div 2 Royston Crow League, Dave and I decided to move leagues and were kindly accepted into the Cambridge & District Colts League.

There were a few familiar faces missing from the team that lined up to face our visitors Huntingdon Rowdies. Michael was rewarded for his record breaking season by being offered a one year’s contract with MK Dons and whilst we wish him well, we will most certainly miss his goals. Michael’s success also means that we lose David’s leadership from a team he started at U7. David’s tireless efforts on and off the pitch were one of the reasons the team won the league last season so impressively. Whatever happens, both Michael and David will always be welcome and a part of this team.

We also lost the two Jamie’s, Charlie and Lewis who decided their futures lay with the Eagles and whilst it was the Colts loss, it was certainly the Eagles gain. We again wish them well.

With David now occupied elsewhere, Keith Turner accepted the offer to help me run the team and if his enthusiasm is anything to go by, I have found a very able assistant.  

The pitch was looking good and the weather was bright but blustery, so it was important to try and play football. We knew nothing about our opponents but were met by a friendly management team who welcomed us to the Cambridge & Colts League.

The boys lined up and with Huntingdon winning the toss, the teams changed round and we kicked off playing down the slope. Good early pressure meant we played the first ten minutes or so in our opponents half, with Rory almost redundant.

Callum and Matt were controlling the midfield and this enabled Keiran and Jack to get up and down the wings. And it was a great run and cross down the wing from Jack that landed at Lynsons feet who instinctively hit it first time and stuck it in the corner for 1-0.

More pressure from Bruce bought us a free kick on the edge of the box, which Keiran took and it went narrowly over the bar. The back line of Tom F, Tom T, Kyle and Joe were mopping up everything Huntingdon threw at us and Kyle’s lightening speed meant he was able to sweep up any loose balls.

Tom F was doing a great Rory Delap impression as his long throw-ins were causing our opposition all sorts of problems down the right wing.

A long goal kick from Rory landed at the feet of a Huntingdon midfielder who instinctively hit it first time, he was at least 35 yards out but the ball flew into the top corner making the score 1-1 at half time.

Keith and I got the boys together and told them to carry on playing the ball around and using the wings. We made a few changes Brad and Jack D coming on. They were fired up and we sent them out for the second half raring to go.

Playing up the slope this half we played some good football, a good interchange between Jack D and Lynson saw Bruce sent through, only for his shot to be well saved by the keeper.

Matt won the ball in midfield and quickly played it out to Lynson on the wing his cross was intercepted by their quick fullback and we won a corner.

We pressed the big lads forward and Keiran sent in a great ball which reached Tom T, he controlled it and shot all in one movement drilling the ball into the back of net to make it 2-1.

Huntingdon were slowly getting back into the game and began to play the ball around nicely, so it was against the run of play when we pushed forward and a cross from Jack D was handled in the box by  a Huntingdon defender. Keiran looking very confident stepped up and took the penalty and neatly placed the ball in the left hand corner to make it 3-1.

 Huntingdon stepped up their game again and came back at us looking for another goal and their continued pressure paid off. A tricky run from their striker should have been stopped but he managed to get around three tackles before sliding the ball under Rory making the score 3-2.

From the kick off Bruce and Lynson played the ball wide to Keiran who did a quick one two with Callum but his cross was just too long for Bruce’s outstretched leg.

A fine save from Rory kept us in the game and Huntingdon were now looking the stronger team as they went in search of the equaliser. Keith and I brought on Tom F into a five man midfield which went some way to stopping Huntingdon playing. A long ball over the top from the Huntingdon captain was again neatly dealt with by the man of the match Kyle. 

The final whistle blew and we narrowly won a very entertaining match 3-2. A great start to life in the Cambridge & District Colts League.