A goal direct from a corner meant the Colts left Sunday’s match against Links with scant reward for their efforts. In a tight game, the Stripes looked to have down enough to grab at least a point until a beautifully struck corner flew into the top corner with less than 10 minutes to go. The boys certainly had the better of the first period, attacking Links at every opportunity and producing some excellent passing moves. Thornton had two early chances – the first set up by a neat touch from Power and the second after good work from Churchman and Bouchez – but both shots were well saved by the visitors’ keeper. Bouchez then charged down a pass in midfield and fed Churchman but the striker’s drive was deflected away for a corner. From the set-piece Kearley, unmarked at the far post, knocked the ball back across the box but the Links defence held firm. Goalkeeper Hogan was a spectator in the first half but was called into action a couple of minutes after the interval as Links broke down the slope. As Power and Abbasi chased back, Hogan came out to narrow the angle and the Links forward steered his shot wide. The chance gave Links confidence and now it was the Colts who had to defend. Hogan again came to his side’s rescue after a mix-up in the box and Bouchez was forced to clear another effort off the line. Williams came on for Power as both sides sought the all-important goal and it was Kearley who had the Colts’ best chance of the match. He burst through midfield and found himself one-on-one with the keeper, who managed to clear the ball with his trailing leg. Then Links won a corner which was drilled in from the right hand side, eluded everyone in the box and flew into the top corner.

Coach: Mick Thornton
Manager: Mike Churchman

Squad: Hogan, Thornton, Abbasi, Bouchez, Power, Kearley, Churchman, Creegan, Rondeau, Williams. .              
 

In a very hard fought match TM acquitted themselves well and played some very good football. TM visably grew as a team and only a lack of strength in the final quarter of the field prevented them from scoring more goals. It is the writer’s belief that this is not very far away. All team members played very well with fluid passing and some good movement on and off the ball. The opening five minutes were tight with no team able to dominate. There were not many chances in front of goal with most of the play in midfield while each team tackled hard for domination of the ball. The first goal was scored by the opposition after ten minutes from a breakaway. It was a powerful shot into the roof of the net scored by a very good centre forward, who has caused us problems in our previous two encounters. It was a deserved lead on the balance of play. TM came back strongly and carried the ball forward with some good inter-passing and could have levelled the score before half –time with Louis and Reece going close with shots. Tommy and Brad played well in defence with Tom having an outstanding debut game in goal to keep the score at 0-1 by half-time. We turned round with the wind and hill in our favour. TM played their best football in the second half, but were once again undone on the breakaway by the opposition centre forward with a replicar goal of the one in the first half. TM continued to play well with good passing movement from Charlie, Owen and Luke. Reshaun came off the bench and following another good move from midfield broke away and scored with a good low drive that beat the keeper. TM kept pressing with Fulham having some strong breakaways. Once again Tom kept us in the game and TM were unlucky with a number of forays into the opposition half, but the full-time whistle came too soon. In summation TM acquitted themselves very well in a hard fought game. All players deserve special mention for their good attitude under very difficult circumstances, and possibly played the better football out of the two teams.

The squad was Tom, Brad, Tommy, Charlie, Ben, Owen, Luke, Louis, Reece, Reshaun.

Coach- Andy Chute.              
 

The Colts found Kingstonian in top form on Sunday as the visitors came away with a comprehensive victory. But the boys deserve a lot of credit for the way they stuck at their game from the first minute to the last. Trailing 3-0 at the interval, it would have been easy for the Stripes to let their heads drop but they were all full of running until the final whistle trying to reduce the deficit. The Colts started the game brightly, with Thornton whipping in a super cross from the right that Kearley just failed to meet. Kearley was clearly up for the match, taking on defenders at every opportunity and creating chances with his pace and power. But the Colts conceded two quick goals in similar fashion, with Kingstonian breaking down their left and the crosses were knocked in at the far post. Hogan suffered a calf injury trying to stop the second goal and was replaced temporarily by Thornton. Bouchez came on and got straight into the action, sending a volley just wide. Power and Abbasi were putting in some excellent tackles at the back, while Williams and Creegan worked tirelessly in midfield. But Ks grabbed two more goals either side of half-time to put the game beyond reach. Churchman and Rondeau were introduced in the second half as the Colts tried desperately to grab a goal but their opponents were worthy winners.

Coach: Mick Thornton
Manager: Mike Churchman

Squad: Hogan, Thornton, Abbasi, Bouchez, Power, Kearley, Churchman, Creegan, Rondeau, Williams.             
 

There was a strengthened squad of ten player for this game with the return of both Chin and Luke Henderson. Ben and Bradley were combined in defence, in front of Rushaun. Luke Henderson, Tommy and Owen started in midfield, with Reece up front. There was some end to end play early on with the teams looking evenly matched. Ben and Bradley kept their heads with good marking and tackling and at times playing safe conceding some throw-ins. Building on last week’s performance, a very solid training session yesterday and a good warm-up, the Colts began to settle into an impressive looking passing game. There were accurate long and short passes being played out of defence and the midfield were starting to dominate. Luke was carrying the ball past his marker and finding support from Tommy in the centre, who controlled and distributed the ball with composure. Reece looked a real threath running onto the many balls played through the centre. Owen was playing a very sound game on his wing being available to receive the ball, defending and pushing forward. When Chin was introduced in defence and Louis on the left, Bradley went into the centre of midfield. Chin’s tackling and clearances, Louis’ pace and Bradley’s calm use of the ball ensured that the Colts were gaining more and more control of the game. The inevitable goal came from a wonderful passing movement from a goal kick, which was worked from the middle, down the right to be finished by Louis into the bottom left corner. A real team goal and a reward for the boys focus and work. Charlie was introduced up front and Reece took a well earned rest. Despite some occasional pressure the boys still looked solid in defence with Rushaun handling and kicking well. Ben was getting good length on his goal kicks and the vision, support play and passing led to more chances for T&M with Louis again scoring before the break. The boys played the same high energy game for the first fifteen minute of the second half. Ben and Chin were a solid partnership at the back and Andy rotated the front four boys regularly with Owen, Louis, Luke, Reece, Bradley, Charlie and Tommy all putting in performances in terms of effort, concentration, skill and teamwork, that they can be really proud of. However, with the score remained at 2:0 and T & M tiring a little from their effort, Epsom won more possession and having some attempts on goal finally scored from a corner. Epsom were now eager to equalise and pressurised the Colts, with Rushaun saving more than once before the equaliser came from an attack down their left. At this point, the boys looked deflated as they had already let a two goal lead slip against Epsom earlier in the season and they knew they deserved a win from this game. Andy immediately made an inspired change before the restart, reintroducing Charlie, with the freshest legs in the squad. He scored from the restart after a surging run down the left and into the area. This lifted the Colts again and they held the advantage to the end surviving a last minute free kick, which hit the post. All the squad showed further improvement today with Ben being called the coach’s man of the match.

Squad: Rushaun, Bradley, Ben, Luke Henderson, Tommy, Owen, Reece, Chin, Louis and Charlie.

Reporter: Kieran Brickley.            
 

Team: Rivaldo, George, Ryan, Bradley,Alex,Mark,Jamie,Tyreice

 A superb performance by the Terrors against a very strong Bedfont Team. The Terrors created numerous chances in the first half where their goalie, who had a superb game made some superb saves and dives at players feet. George made some excellent runs and Ryan was superb at the back making some fine tackles. Alex showed some nice touches and took some very good corners and free kicks. Mark & Jamie began to get into the game and started to pass the ball really well and Tyreice had his best game for the club, running all over the pitch and really making a big contribution throughout the game. Bradley was also showing his all round game popping up at the back, the midfield and creating scoring chances also, Coach would like him to stay on his feet more in tackles but really did play well. Rivaldo was a revelation in goal, after attending his first goalkeeping practice only the day before he was absolutely superb all match, making some fine saves and his kicking was also 100% better. The score was 0-0 at half time and in the second half we scored the goal we deserved when Alex ran through and hit a shot that went through the goalies legs. Bedfont tried desperately to score another but our defending was superb. We even had a penalty that was well saved by their goalkeeper. Overall, a very very good performance by the Terrors against a very good Bedfont team.

Well done.
Coach Robin .           
 

For the first game after Christmas this was a solid performance from the Under 8s with all the boys giving 100%. The first half started slowly with both teams giving the goalkeepers work to do. Vick in goal again showing that his extra goalkeeper training is really paying off and pulling off saves when it looks a cert for a goal. Tooting took the lead through Smith-Rowe who semi volleyed in to the back of the net giving the useful Sheen goalie no chance. The second half started with tooting having all the possession but not taking the chances with Cooper, Farmer and Denby all having shots at goal. Couzens on the wing made some nice runs and more importantly kept getting back to help the ever impressive Dalton in defence. With 5 minutes left Tooting pushed for the second and a deflection gave Tooting a corner Smith-rowe floated in the perfect ball and up stepped Pepe Santa-Cr to do his peter crouch impression and head it into the back of the net. The first ever goal to be headed by this team and the win almost guaranteed Sheen did get a consolation but from the retake the ref blew full time. All the boys played well but it was all agreed that Emil Smith-Rowe deserved the man of the match award with his great runs and good passing he played his Captains role excellently .           
 

The Colts got the New Year off to the best possible start with a 2-1 win against Walcountians on Sunday. The scoreline perhaps should have been more convincing but the boys didn’t take full advantage of a string of chances. Despite not playing for three weeks because of the Christmas break, the Stripes settled into the match quickly, dominating possession and attacking at every opportunity. Creegan and Power both went close early on before a strong run by Rondeau set up Williams but his shot was well saved. The Colts were breaking at will now and Kearley’s powerful drive was tipped over the bar. It was just a matter of time before the Colts went ahead but it took some individual brilliance from Abbasi to finally open up the home defence. The defender picked up the ball from just outside his own box and went on a mazy dribble the length of the field before squeezing in his shot from a tight angle. But just when the Colts looked likely to double their lead, Walcountians grabbed an equaliser from a well-worked corner. Rondeau had a glorious chance to put the Colts back in front after another excellent break down the right between Kearley, Williams and Churchman, but the midfielder swept his effort narrowly past the post with only the keeper to beat. Kearley restored the Colts’ advantage shortly after the interval. Churchman’s beautifully flighted corner missed everyone in the crowded box, struck the inside of the post and fell invitingly for Kearley who made no mistake from two yards. Some of the Colts’ passing and running was a delight to watch, with one four-man move resulting in Kearley’s shot being well saved. Rondeau had another great chance to put the match beyond doubt but his right-foot shot struck the inside of the far post. Walcountians almost made the Colts pay for the missed chances, with Hogan twice making super blocks late on and also narrowing the angle, forcing the home striker to shoot wide. Defenders Power and Abbasi also impressed with their tackling and composure on the ball.

Coach: Mick Thornton
Manager: Mike Churchman

Squad: Hogan, Thornton, Abbasi (1), Bouchez, Power, Kearley (1), Churchman, Creegan, Rondeau, Williams.           
 

This game was played at Farm Road. Luke Henderson and Chin were unavailable and Ben deputised as captain for the game. Firstly, all the boys deserve praise for their individual performances and team work during this match. Their improvement is down to themselves and the coaches. The starting line-up had Rushaun in goal, Charlie and Tommy in defence, Reece, Bradley and Owen in midfield and Ben up front. The boys had a good start and challenged well for the ball creating some pressure. Cheam Sports were focussed at the back and able to break well from defence. Charlie and Tommy were playing very well, tackling and clearing up. Owen was confidently taking on his player on the left and Bradley was covering lots of ground in the middle. Reece and Ben were finding each other as much as possible, but Cheam were tracking back and defending in numbers, intercepting passes and clearing up. Having switched with Reece, Ben was replaced with Louis on the right. As the game proceeded, the opposition began to have more territorial advantage without having any clear chances. Rushaun was handling the ball confidently and along with Tommy’s good goal kicking and our hardworking midfield we were able to relieve some of the pressure and continue to get forward. After some loose play around our area the first real chance of the game, a very good strike was brilliantly saved by Rushaun. Ben was reintroduced for Bradley in the centre and with both teams using their wide players well Cheam’s territorial advantage led to a scrambled goal from close range, which was no-one’s fault and a real shame, as Rushaun was playing so well. Luke Dell was introduced up front before half time and Bradley played in defence with Charlie in the middle. All the boys battled to the interval having two shots at goal and forcing some corners. After the interval, Tommy and Bradley absorbed strong pressure, helped by Charlie, Louis, Owen and Ben, who all tracked back when asked, with Cheam forcing numerous corners in quick succession at two different stages in the half. Rushaun brought off several fantastic saves which brought applause from all the spectators. Charlie and Tommy headed well at the near post and bravely kept going after at one point clashing heads. This was a good reflection of the attitude of the whole team. Cheam continued to get bodies behind the ball whenever the Colts built attacks. However, with the boys desire to equalise it looked like they still could, if they could move the ball well enough. Ben got caught on the ankle as he was fairly tackled building a promising attack and was replaced. Finally, after some attacking runs by Louis, the last chance of the game was skilfully created by Reece as he beat his marker, breaking into the area, only to have his effort intercepted for a corner. The Colts had again finished strongly. Well done!

Squad: Rushaun, Tommy, Charlie, Reece, Bradley, Owen, Ben, Luke Dell and Louis.

Reporter: Kieran Brickley          
 

It was a pleasant surprise to arrive at Esher’s ground to find a large pitch with a more than reasonable playing surface. However, the five week absence from match day conditions obviously affected our boys as they began the match playing far too deep and as a result were inviting the opposition to camp in our half. With a huge gap between what was effectively a back four and the front two, the pressure from Esher was relentless and following our failure to clear a routine cross, their forward was left with an open goal from three yards and accepted the opportunity comfortably. Our failure to maintain a good shape continued to allow our opponents the lion’s share of possession and more shabby defensive work presented Esher with an easy second goal and with only ten minutes played we already had a mountain to climb. It was at this point of the game that Cameron and Casey started to play further up the pitch and with James working tirelessly to create space in front of their defence, we enjoyed our best spell of the game. A clever through pass from James presented JJ with our best opportunity of the match but he dragged his shot wide and in the next five minutes two further goal scoring openings were spurned. The half time whistle saw us trailing by two goals when we should have been at least level, if not in front, and the writing was on the wall already. Thomas replaced JJ up front and Cameron replaced Bryan in goal for the second half, which we started as badly as we did the first. A goalmouth scramble soon led to the home team’s third where despite two good saves from Cameron a mis-hit shot ballooned into the top of the goal and effectively ended the contest. We continued to play as a group of individuals rather than as a team and with a number of players turning in below par performances the home team had the time and the space to dictate matters and dominated the remainder of the match. Michael gave way to JJ after ten minutes of the second half by which time Esher had extended their lead to four and by the time Michael replaced James with five minutes to go we had conceded a fifth goal from a free header at a corner. Only the excellence of Cameron in goal prevented further damage to our goal difference. This was an awful start to the New Year for us but one that I consider can be placed in the category of a bad day at the office. However, massive improvement is expected in next weeks fixture against Staines Town.

Team: Brian, Michael, Harry, Cameron, Casey, James, JJ, Thomas
Man of the Match – Cameron

Colin