Results

COLTS XI - 31/10/2021 VS OLD LOUGHTONIANS U18 (H) 
 
TEAM: Colts XI 
DATE: 31/10/2021 
FIXTURE: Colts XI VS 31/10/2021 
HEADLINE: Halloween tragedy 
EHA U18 cup 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: Norwich City 1 - 2 Old Loughtonians 
 
REPORT: 
 
The morning’s howling wind and driving rain cleared just in time to provide an evenly contested entertaining U18 cup match in autumnal sunshine. 
 
City nearly opened the scoring inside the first 5 minutes when some wizardry skills down the right led to a half chance for Ethan Rushton to the left of the penalty spot. Sadly the forces of evil conspired to make him lose his footing at the critical moment and set the scene for a game of misfortune. 
 
As the half progressed both teams created half chances which the defences and keepers thwarted with calm assurance. After 30 minutes the visitors took the lead in unusual circumstances when, with both teams unsure whether the ball had been hit from outside the D, a goal was awarded. 
 
The second half continued to provide end to end entertainment with excellent spells of play failing to add to the score. With 15 minutes left Bobby Rash pulled off a truly world class save high and to his right from a penalty corner. Unfortunatly moments later City conceded a second after some creative magic on the base line somehow resulted in a goal. 
 
Undeterred City drove forward and forced a series of penalty corners. With 3 minutes left a neat variation allowed Rafe Lochore to reduce the arrears and set up a tense finale. With Old Loughtonians trying to run down the clock there was still time for late drama. City were awarded a penalty corner on the stroke of full time, could this be their moment? Injection, clean. Stop, clean. Shot…stopped by a lunging defender…the whistle goes…a penalty stroke awarded. The home crowd jubilant. Was this late drama to turn into home found joy? But wait…the second umpire enters this tragedy stage left and overrules the decision…penalty cancelled. Penalty corner awarded…and saved. 
 
When the dust had settled and the emotions calmed, all agreed they had seen and taken part in an excellent, some might say, “spell binding” (well it is Halloween) contest. 
 
Jonty Black was named player of the match.