The Colts returned to Premier League action this week against rivals Holywood who finished just behind the young Colts in the Premier League last year in 3rd position.
The Colts had a few changes to last year with Simon Turkington in goals, David Hilland moving into centre back and Ciaran Sherry up front, with Jack Rafferty joining the squad too.
The game started at a pace, with Colts getting into their stride early on, and it was only 15 minutes into the game when Rory Reilly played yet another accurate pass and after a neat passage of play the ever impressive Caolan Cunningham found the energetic Ciaran Sherry who took one touch and smashed ball from 12 yards out goal bound, but it drew a fantastic save from the Holywood keeper.
Holywood also had a much changed team, and they pushed the Colts hard, but the impressive David Hilland was snuffing out any threat, both in the air and on the ground, a master stroke from the management team to move David to centre half!
The Colts never looked under threat as the back four of Peter Duncan, Paul Doherty, David Hilland & Tom Webb-Jones held a firm line, and Simon Turkington in nets was plucking out the crosses at will.
Ciaran Sherry and Caolan Cunningham up front were causing havoc, backed up by the midfield energy of Rory Reilly, Leo McGowan, Donal Healy and Michael Lawson, but the game finished all square at half time.
The 2nd have started as the first ended with the Colts on top, and I’m sure Jack Rafferty’s parents had a sharp intake of breath when Jack flew into a challenge with one of Holywood’s larger lads, this was Jacks first game back following a bad leg break last season, but typical Jack he won the challenge came away with the ball and made a cross field pass to Leo, class!
With 15 minutes gone Caolan Cunningham went on another run, taking on several Holywood defenders, a quick interchange with a Michael and Caolan found Ciaran who calmly stroked the ball into the net, 1:0 to the Colts.
Holywood pushed hard for an equaliser, and after the Colts failed to clear the ball broke to Zidane from Holywood (no he hasn’t left Madrid) and with one touch to get ball out if his feet he struck what can only be described as a worldie into the top corner from 25 yards, a better goal you’ll struggle to find and indeed his namesake would have been proud of. 1:1
The game ebbed and flowed and any team could have won it, and it was Holywood who got the winner 8 minutes from time, again the Colts failed to clear and after a good save Holywood got to the rebound first to make it 2:1.
It was a tremendous effort from the lads, loads of energy and progressive football, and it looks good for another exciting season for the lads.
Final score 2:1 to Hollywood.
Colts scorer, Ciaran Sherry
Man of The Match: David Hilland.
Next game is 8th Oct away to Greenisland in NIBFA Cup.