Results

COLTS XI - 13/06/2021 VS CAMBRIDGE CITY U18 (A) 
 
TEAM: Colts XI 
DATE: 13/06/2021 
FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 13/06/2021 
HEADLINE: Magnificent 11 
 
Venue: Cambridge University  
EHA U18 Cup 
Result: Norwich City 2 - 5 Cambridge City 
 
With the air temperate 27 degrees and the pitch temperature well north of 30 this was always going to be a tough task for the bare 11 hero’s that made up the City team. It would be unfair on those that battled in the heat to overplay those that either called off on the day or were unable to play due to other commitments but as you’ll see in the report below an extra player or two would have have made such a difference. 
 
City started really brightly with excellent work down the left from Kit Scott, Monty Platt and Ethan Rushton putting the hosts under early pressure. Jonty Black, Monty, Freddie Paterson and James Cross linked intelligently in midfield and it was great to see City retain possession with calmness and control against a side boasting numerous performance centre players and and England international. Whilst the first 15 minutes was largely dominated by City, it was notable how often Cambridge were able to roll substitutes to stay fresh and hence maintain intensity throughout the game. A good open play move saw Cambridge take the lead on 15 minutes which added focus to the brief team talk at the quarter break (due to the heat). 
 
City levelled the score after 22 minutes thanks to a tremendous move down the left - a precision pass from Monty found Kit whose skilful drive and pass found Ethan who crossed for younger brother Corey to slide in. Game on. On a day where City needed the rub of the green to go their way given the lack of subs it was a little harsh when a good interception by Cameron Husband bounced to the opposition and resulted in a goal just before half time. 
 
With City looking to conserve energy they moved the ball very well around the back with Joseph Roy and Elliot Fox mixing slow build up and insightful play in equal measure. As the game wore on the hosts bigger squad saw them create more pressure and allowed Bobby Rash to demonstrate what a fine keeper he is with a string of fine saves. Before you start thinking this resulted in a backs to the wall type performance you’d be wrong, the home keeper and defence were called into action on numerous occasions. Cambridge extended their lead in the 46th minute with one of those badly struck but very lucky penalty corners and again on 54 minutes with a well worked open play goal. This fourth goal was a real ‘wind out of the sails’ moment as until then City had looked really dangerous with Freddie Paterson marauding down the right and linking up really well with the midfield of James, Jonty and Monty and ever-willing front line of Corey, Ethan and Kit. Undeterred City, then scored an excellent goal with Jonty driving the ball out of defence down the left, followed by a lovely pass on the run to Kit whose turn and pass enabled Ethan to turn the keeper and make it 4-2. Seeds of doubt started creeping into the Cambridge team who then “managed” the game well from side line and free hits. Perhaps as if to rub salt in the wound a tired pass from the back was intercepted and resulted in a goal with just 3 minutes to go. As if to epitomise City’s never say die attitude Corey Rushton was millimetres away from making it 5-3 in the dying seconds, and Jonty played the final quarter with a split shoe (upper came away from the sole)!! 
 
In a match where every player fought for every ball, consistently made the right decision and quite simply never gave up despite the odds being stacked against them it seems odd to single out one player but through his dynamic leadership, fantastic communication (particularly with his defensive partner Elliot and the midfield) and his calmness under pressure, Joseph Roy was named man of the match. 
 
So with that ends a season we’ll remember for some excellent hockey and one we hope never to repeat (global pandemic). As ever, a massive thank you to the hard work put in by all the players and our fantastic group of parents without whom, in this season of all seasons, we simply would not have been able to train or play. For those having a break from hockey, enjoy the rest and I look forward to seeing you later in the summer for pre-season trading and, of course, good luck, to those moving away for the next chapter in their educational or work development.