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Bishops Stortford Youth v Hitchin Town Youth Colts U13

Sunday, February 18 2007

This was always going to be a hard fought contest. The two teams know each other well and show each other a high level of respect.

Sure enough, it was end-to-end stuff from the off with Hitchin making the better start. Excellent Stortford passing was matched by good runs by the two Jacks and Joe M for the Colts. Dogged midfield battling by Dan and Will limited Stortford’s attacks even before they came up against an impressive defensive line.

The three-man attack worked hard but was unable to break through a Stortford defence that was just as strong as the Colts’. A ball sprayed out from the centre to Joe S as he charged down the right channel was just too much for him to get proper contact. Some nice play around the box almost brought a goal as Leigh tried to flick a pass into the net.

But it was Stortford who got the goal with a headed shot from a corner late in the first half. The finish was clinical and there was little Louis in goal could do.

Now Stortford pushed hard and a fine off-the-line save from a Hitchin defender and Louis’ calmness in the face of an oncoming striker kept the Colts in the game.

The second half saw further hard battling by both teams. A goal ahead, Stortford players were more confident in chancing their arm and the number of shots built up but none troubled Hitchin’s keeper. As the minutes ticked by the Colts were wearing down Stortford with sustained pressure. But the home team’s impressive ability to cut out the visitors’ passes made the difference and they took the points.

Despite the defeat, the Colts can be proud of their performance against the league leaders.

Final score: Bishops Stortford 1: Hitchin Town Youth Colts 0

Match report: Toby Shelley