U13’s Serve Up A Sunday Lunch Goal Fest

On a baking hot lunchtime fixture Horncastle welcomed league rivals Cherry Colts at the Wong for their final warm up match before the start of the season. Full of anticipation a healthy crowd gathered from home and away fans.

The visitors started quickly springing the offside trap, the Cherry forward placing the ball into the bottom right hand corner, leaving replacement keeper Josh Britchford no chance, 0-1.

Within a blink of an eye Colts broke again to double their lead, 0-2.

Town composed themselves with good work in midfield from Ellis Roberts and Daniel Cobban.

It was however Kyle Tempest with a typically tenacious attack that unlocked the Colts defence slotting home to reduce the deficit, 1-2.

The match continued at a scintillating pace with Town getting to grips with Cherry pacey attack, however it was they who added to their lead, 1-3.

Town dug in with fulbacks Chloe Pickering and William Fawcett steadfast providing a solid foundation from Town to attack. It was Tempest again that rushed forward to slot in his second, 2-3.

With the referee almost blowing for half time, Colts were awarded a free kick just outside the box, with a helpful gust of wind the ball floated over the back tracking Britchford, 2-4 HT.

Playing up the hill for the second half Town set about reducing the deficit, Alfie Baird a physical presence down the left and Captain James Mckeag down the right.

Taking a page from Cherry’s attack guide Connah Toulson latched onto a Connor Pinkett through ball outpacing the defender to stroke the ball into the net, 3-4.

With central defence partnership Aaron Smith and Lewis Howden snuffing out the Colts long ball attacks their skilful No 6 crashed through the wongers to score again, 3-5.

This seemed to galvanise the wongers, it wasn’t long before Toulson ran onto a Roberts through ball to score his brace, 4-5.

With the crowd hungry for more the red & whites obliged, Roberts delighting with a sterling finish drawing the teams level for the first time in 60 mins, 5-5.

With the scores level and the game in the balance it was Britchford in the Town goal who denied the visitors with a series of athletic stops.

This crazy game continued to excite with Town going close from Toulson, McKeag and Pinkett however it was Colts who spoilt the home fans party with a late winner, 5-6 FT.

Manager Bruce Baxter left breathless at the finish, complemented the skill and effort of the whole team through this thrilling match. Special praise was provided for defensive rocks Aaron Smith and Lewis Howden with the mighty Kyle Tempest duly acknowledged for his outstanding performance.

Town look forward to starting their league campaign next Sunday on 18th September away against Lowlands.

Match Report by Shaun Smith