- Match Type: League
- Venue: Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields
- Result: 5:4 Win
- Scorers: Marcus x4, Jamie
Another bright but chilly Saturday in South London. Another game for the the Under 13 Colts against local rivals Broomwood FC. The last time these two sides met, the game ended in a 4-4 draw. So whatever was going to happen, goals could be expected.
Broomwood started strongly, and for much of the opening 10 minutes the ball was in the Clapham half. But the Colts’ defence stayed strong and when in possession always looked quickly for the attacking option and to hit Broomwood on the break.
About 10 minutes in one such attack led to a Clapham corner. This was taken well and found Jamie at the far post perfectly positioned to tap the ball home. Broomwood 0 Clapham 1.
The second was another quick break, the ball was fed out from the back and quickly moved on by Cooper and Arthur through the middle to set up Marcus up front. Marcus made the finish look easy. Broomwood 0 Clapham 2.
Broomwood kept their heads up and continued to have a lot of possession for the rest of the half, but were unable to penetrate the Colts’ defence. The boys seemed to have the game under reasonable control and at half time they were still 2 up.
This trend continued into the second half. Goal number 3 came around 5 minutes into the second half. Charlie played the ball through to Marcus in front of the Broomwood goal area. Once again Marcus had just the goalie to beat, and once again he made no mistake. Broomwood 0 Clapham 3.
Football matches though, are never over till the final whistle. And the Broomwood boys, to their credit, kept up the fight. They were rewarded when they found the Colts’ defence in a rare moment of disarray. Their striker took advantage, beating Brandon with a fine finish into the far corner. Broomwood 1 Clapham 3.
Broomwood’s confidence soared with this, and the Colts began to look a little less self-assured. Even so, the game was now opening up a little more, with fast attacking breaks from both sides.
Once again Charlie played a well-placed ball through to Marcus from the right hand side, and once again Marcus beat the keeper to increase the lead. Broomwood 1 Clapham 4.
Broomwood still pushed forward though, and pulled a goal back to decrease the deficit. Broomwood 2 Clapham 4.
Then came another in disputed circumstances. As Ludwig and the Broomwood striker competed for the ball just on the edge of the area Ludwig appeared to be just ahead but then fell flat on his face, seemingly tripped up. The Broomwood striker finished well though and the goal was given despite protestation. Some observers also questioned the impartiality of the referee at this point, perhaps understandably, given that the referee was also the home team coach. Broomwood 3 Clapham 4.
With just one goal separating the two teams, tension increased both on and off the pitch.
But the Colts came back with the perfect riposte. FraserG, released down the left by Jasper, found his way into the Broomwood area. Initially repelled by the keeper towards the byline at the left, he turned and dinked the ball across the face of the goal, finding the perfectly-positioned Marcus who headed home. Broomwood 3 Clapham 5.
Still Broomwood pushed forward, and no-one could have questioned the desire of their players. A corner won in the last few minutes was well taken, and flicked on to the far post for another good finish. The Clapham lead reduced again to just one goal.
Time seemed to slow down at this point, with the last few minutes dragging themselves out. The Colts weren’t exactly hanging on for a the victory, but it would be fair to say the final whistle, when it came, was a relief.
A good game between two well-matched sides. Clapham once again had the edge skillwise, but could never afford to be complacent against the well-organised Broomwood. All the Colts played well and pulled together as a team, but the main accolade would surely have to go to Marcus for his four well-taken goals.
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