U13 Colts vs Kidderminster United Youth U13 (03/10/21)

For the first game (officially at least) of Autumn 2021, league duties gave way to a cup game against an unknown quantity in the form of Kidderminster United Youth, a team unbeaten in the league with an impressive draw against Halesowen Town to their name. Colts were boasting an aggregate combined total of 6.3 goals in their previous 3 outings to date, so goals were very much on the agenda.
Colts lined up with a positive formation with Wharton in goal, Glazzard, Sivaharan, Beale and Adusei-Hillel at the back, James, Heywood & Coopey forming a 3-man midfield & Perks, Box and Elton forming the front-3. With Parker the only absentee, Colts were able to boast a bench of Davies, Johnson, Fisher & Bousfield
With the wind at their back, Colts started on the front foot and were soon peppering the United goal with impressive regularity. Perks looked bright and Elton gave the defenders in attendance plenty to think about from the outset. Colts looked confident throughout with Heywood looking assured and the back 4 untroubled for the most part.
Despite their high-energy start it wasn’t until halfway through the half before the deadlock was broken, Perks’ tenacity in getting to the dead-ball line and swinging a vicious cross into the six-yard box, Elton stabbing home. Coopey then had a chance to double the lead from a set piece but found it difficult to gauge the swirling wind and the ball dropped into the ‘keepers arms. Bousfield replaced Coopey soon after and immediately sought to plunder the space on the left wing that Perks had previously exploited. He could have had a brace before half-time if only he’d had his shooting boots on, however as it played out Colts went into the break with a slender, if well merited 1-goal lead.
Half-time changes saw Fisher replace James, Davies on in place of Box and Johnson on for Elton as like-for-like replacements. Much like the previous weeks game the fresh legs quickly paid off as Colts found themselves 2 goals to the good courtesy of a strong run and shot from Bousfield. 7 minutes into the half it was 3-0 as Johnson slammed in from range to open his account for the season. Colts looked comfortable, not in the slightest bit hampered by the regular stoppages due to medical requirements by the opposition. Halfway through the second period Bousfield doubled his tally for the afternoon to put the win beyond doubt. Despite a rally by the visitors in which a long-range volley grazed the outside of the post with Wharton beaten, and a speculative cross-shot that looped beyond the frame of the goal, Colts rarely looked troubled at the back.
Bousfield completed his hat-trick (Colts second such feat in consecutive games) with 10-minutes remaining, with a Kidderminster own-goal completing the scoring with little more than 5 minutes left. A late cloudburst did little to dampen the spirits of the home team, and a quarter-final against Nunnery Woods Hornets now awaits a team who will believe that on their day they can match any team in the league. City have now scored 6-goals in 2 consecutive competitive games for the first time.
An imposing all-round performance which each-and-every player contributing to a satisfying score line – a result that will have their League rivals sitting up and taking notice.
Managers man-of-the-match: George Heywood – worked his socks off and provided a link between defence and attack, whilst breaking down any opposition attack; Worcester’s answer to Kalvin Phillips!
Players man-of-the-match: Reggie – Busy as ever; gave plenty of energy to Colts attacking menace and played a big part in that crucial opening goal.