Albion Leave no Stains on Colts’ character
Kew Association Colts 1-1 Staines Albion, 11 Apr, League
Due to holidays and injuries, Kew were missing several of their line-up and a team that wasn’t at full strength didn’t quite hold their game together well enough to secure all three points.

To be fair we had a new pairings both at the centre of defence and in central midfield. It took a little while to settle down, and Albion could have taken the lead but for some good saves from Jack in goal. In truth, the opposition were the stronger starters but slightly against the run of play, a good move down the left gave Mike Burnett the opportunity to find Jaz in the box. The keeper saved once, but not the rebound, which Jaz finished.

This did our confidence good, the defence was settling down, and we could well have gone 2 up when a free kick from Mike Burnett unluckily hit the post with the keeper stranded. And when the keeper handled outside the box to prevent Mike going through, he may have been fortunate to get only a yellow and stay on the pitch. But in reality it hadn’t been the best of halves, as we struggled to play the football of which we are capable.

The second half saw an improvement, especially defensively, and Staines only had one chance. A momentary, and the only, lapse in the half saw a ball over the top find two Staines players marked by one of ours ...and it went to the other, whose header left Jack no chance. 1-1. The irony was of course that the half that showed an improvement was the one that we lost a lead.

To be fair, the conditions and a bumpy pitch did not make it easy. Often we needed an extra touch, and this may have affected our decision making, that wasn’t always at its best. But the determination shown by all was good, and the way we endeavoured to get used to new positions and new partnerships was to our credit. MOTM – hard one to call. Jack for a couple of good saves? Ross or Simon for solid performances at full-back? Mike Burnett up front? Kieron, again performing well at centre-half? I think it goes to Jack D for his first outing for us at sweeper. His positional play was good. He made some important interventions and generally read the game well.  

Chertsey huff and puff, but Colts stand firm
Chertsey Town 0-0 Kew Association Colts, 28 March, League
The unavailability of Isaac and Serge down the middle for this game against promotion-chasing Chertsey was to prove a challenge to the Colts, but one that they met. Kieron moved to centre-half, and Jaz started in the middle with Jack D. Ross moved to right-back, and Fred dropped back to left-back. At half-time Fred went up front, as Simon replaced him at the back. After a week out with illness, Simon came back in an unaccustomed role and played with confidence and determination.

As it turned out, the height, power, strength and speed of Kieron and Luke at the back was too much for the oversized versions of footballers that they breed down Chertsey way. True their version of Stoke City’s throw-ins, on what was a narrow pitch, caused us a couple of problems. Their hopeful flicks grazed the top of the bar on a couple of occasions, and once it fell kindly and Captain Jack was forced into a smart save. In the first-half, a momentary lapse of concentration allowed a through ball to find a Chertsey player but he put the ball wide. Apart from that, Chertsey huffed and puffed a bit, but we stood firm.

This was a good game. Chertsey tried to play a more direct style of football to maximize their height advantage, but it was Kew that played the better, and can consider themselves unlucky not to have got more out of the game. Our chances were clear-cut... Mike could have netted when through; on another occasion he cut the ball back just missing Tommy, who would have had an open goal; Said shot just over the bar; Jaz shot just wide; Tommy will feel disappointed when scuffing a shot from not far out; and Leo was unlucky when his goal-bound effort was blocked on the line. And that was just the first-half.

In the second spell, more chances were created. A fine freekick from Luke was well-saved by their keeper; Kieron narrowly missed… the toilet block 40 yards to the right of the goal; and Fred was almost through on a couple of occasions. But the defining moment was when, with a minute to go, Mike, clean through, was hauled back a couple of yards outside the box. The ref sympathetically didn’t send the player off, only because only seconds were left. This is probably commonsense, but we didn’t score from the free-kick and may have dropped two points because of this cynical foul.

There were moments when we went off the boil, but generally this was a positive performance. Mike was strong upfront, Simon was very effective at left-back in the second half, Ross was winning his aerial challenges, and to be fair there, were good moments from all on the pitch. But over the 90 minutes, there were three outstanding performances: Jack D in the centre of midfield, and Luke and Kieron at the centre of our defence. You wouldn’t have guessed that this was Kieron’s first outing at centre-half, so this shades it in his favour.

Captain Jack steers Colts to safety
Staines Albion 1-4 Kew Association Colts, 21 March, League
Kew edged the first half, and although there were a couple of dodgy moments in our penalty area. Staines only managed half-chances, whereas the openings Kew created were clear-cut. Two were well taken, a dominant header on the far post from Serge, and a fine run from Leo with a clinical finish when through one-on-one. In spite of missing at least two other great opportunities, 2-0 at half-time seemed a comfortable lead, but one goal for Staines would give them hope.

Sure enough, Staines raised the tempo of their play and had their best spell of the game after half-time. The loss of Jack Dempsey with a hamstring injury did not help the cause. A break down their right-wing saw a cross find their centre-forward who finished well. Kew were still creating some excellent opportunities but not taking them. With Staines having a couple of half-chances to level the score, Kew were looking a bit the worse for wear and started losing their composure on the ball. We were beginning to rue the missed chances that would have wrapped up the game.

Then when play was stopped for an injury to a Staines player, Captain Jack Parkin, who had been leading well from the rear, called a team huddle. Time to get our game back, time to pull together, time to up the ante and get back into the game. And sure enough, Kew bounced back. A forty metre pass with the outside of his boot from Luke at sweeper found Fred on a strong run, and a fine finish restored the two goal margin. Then a pearl of a goal – a good passing move found Mike Burnett wide in the left-hand corner. He drove the ball across early and Leo coming in from the right-hand side of the box struck a first-time shot into the far corner of the goal. 4-1. Game over.

It was great to see us pick ourselves up and get back into a game that was in danger of slipping away from us. It was a credit to all players on the pitch. Several contenders for MOTM – Said was busy and effective and made a lot of good choices on the ball; Fred and Mike caused the Staines defence problems throughout the game. Serge scored a good goal and was strong down the middle and sustained his game for the full 90 minutes. The defence was generally composed and well-organised, the pick being Kieron at right-back, but for his two goals, MOTM this week is Leo.  

Depleted Kew Suffer
Kew Association Colts 0-3 Shottersmill and Haslemere, 14 Mar, League
League leaders, Haslemere have a 100% record in division one and put 9 past us in our first encounter, but for much of this game there was nothing between the two teams. It was a tight game with neither side creating a great deal in the way of chances in the first half. However, Kew did suffer injuries to talismanic midfielder, Serge. Then Mike Burnett, making his first performance, hobbled off after less than 20 minutes having shown signs that he was going to trouble the Haslemere defence. Further injuries to Jack Parkin’s shoulder and then Ashley meant a change of shape in the second half, with Ross taking over in goal, and Jack, holding his shoulder, at centre-forward.

Haslemere went ahead after about 60 minutes. Although it was a well-worked move, we were disappointed not to have cut the ball out. In trying to get back into the game, Kew had their best moment. A mazy run down the right-wing from Isaac (we’re not sure what he was doing there; we think he might have been lost) saw him beat two, no three, possibly four, maybe five players, and then from the by-line deliver an excellent cross to the far post that Fred couldn’t get to by the narrowest of margins.

Then came the moment of comedy. A low driven goal-kick from Jack struck Isaac on the back of the head. The ball bounced back to Jack, who then slipped as he tried to clear it presenting the nearby Haslemere forward with the easiest of chances. The fall also aggravated Jack’s injury so Ross went in goal. Haslemere’s third was a corner to which Ross got a hand, but the ball fell kindly to Haslemere who finished confidently.

By now the contest was a little uneven, and it was only Ross in goal that kept them out in the closing stages with a couple of fine saves. For this and for another solid performance at left-back, Ross gets the man of the match this week. 

Guildford City Sitting Pretty
Kew Association Colts 0-2 Guildford City Boys, 7 Mar, League Cup semi-final
Guildford were very aware of the fact that Kew are a whole division off their 4th or 5th place in the Premier division, but in the first half there was very little evidence of this. Kew competed on equal terms all over the pitch and created the better chances, with Ashley hitting the post, and Isaac the bar with a powerful header - the rebound from the header came to Ross and his attempt narrowly missed the far post (see picture below). But, with only their second real attempt on goal and just a few minutes before half-time, Guildford broke and scored from close range leaving Jack no chance.

Leo was brought on in the second half to try to add more going forward, but the second half saw the Colts mysteriously lose their confidence on the ball. All over the pitch we failed to make our passes and Guildford’s confidence rose. When a player was left unmarked eight yards out, Guildford took their chance to finish the game and go 2-0 up. Kew struggled to get back in the game and failed to create the clear-cut chances they needed.

Man of the match was Serge for 70 minutes of outstanding performance. Always the ball-winner, this week his distribution was neat and tidy. Unfortunately the last 20 minutes saw him battling on with cramp in his calf, and at that stage his effectiveness diminished, but still a great performance.

Isaac’s header hits the bar, Ross waits to attack the rebound (see more Pictures)

Woking De-railed by Cavalier Colts
Woking Comets 0-4 Kew Association Colts, 21 Feb, League

Much of the first half was played 9 v 8 as transport issues delayed 3 of the Kew team, and the team’s transport manager (aka your intrepid reporter) spent most of the first half at Woking station waiting for the replacement bus service to arrive. In that time, it is reported that Kew were the better team although the heavy pitch did not suit our footballing style.

With 10 men we went 1-0 up, and with eleven added another two in the ten minutes before half-time. So the first-half saw a brace from Fred including a fine left-foot shot into the top corner, and a well-worked goal that ended with Ross magically appearing on the far post to finish the move. 

Woking are a strong team and they worked extremely hard and played well with their 8 men making it as difficult as they could for Kew. But the scoreline does not represent the play and the openings that Kew created. Too often the final ball was misplaced, our finishing overall was poor, although Tommy did convert the penalty he won with a sharp turn in the box. We did well, up until the last third and then too often looked as though we did not know what to do when confronted with time and space. We really should have knocked in five or six in second half, so one goal represented a poor return.

In fact, despite a generally positive performance from our defence, several defensive lapses allowed Woking a couple of good chances. However Jack, who’d had a quiet afternoon up to then, pulled off a couple of excellent saves, one an especially fine reaction save to his left - for that he shares the man-of-the-match with Fred.

This was not vintage Kew. Certainly the conditions did not help, but the attitude in the second half had more than a hint of the cavalier. We have a couple of tough games coming up, Milford Pumas and then our cup semi-final. Let’s stay focussed throughout.

Walking Wounded Win the Day
Milford Pumas 1-1 Kew Association Colts, aet, Kew win on penalties 3-0), 7 Feb, SPL Cup quarter final
The Walking Wounded: Leo had to come off at half-time with a bout of cramp. In the course of the second half though, he felt relatively fit given the condition of the Colts’ Walking Wounded.  Kieron was struggling with a possible broken toe from the early minutes of the game, and then after 65 minutes Luke had to leave the field with a calf injury. James aggravated previous damage to his Achilles’ tendon and could not sustain movement. Serge ran himself into the ground and for the last 20 minutes hobbled from one challenge to the next. And to cap it all Fred, who had replaced Leo on the right, valiantly filled the central midfield on his own, only to sustain damage to his ankle ligaments in the final minutes of the game. And then there was the slightly bruise-damaged ego of Jack Parkin …see match report.

Match Report: This was the team that beat us 5-0 in our first meeting. Big, strong, physical, determined .. well this time that description is reserved for Kew. Early pressure should have led to an early lead but somehow Milford scrambled the ball away, made some great, perhaps fortunate, blocks (including one from Isaac!) and perversely kept the score 0-0. Then Tommy with an excellent turn attracted the challenge that gave Kew a penalty. Leo coolly converted. 1-0. It was with some regret that we went in only 1-0 up at half-time as Kew dominated the half. Yes, on top, no doubt, no exaggeration. It is fair to say that Milford did not have one shot on target in the half.

After 60 minutes Milford did manage a shot on target. Such was the game that Jack in goal did not believe it and was carefully and calmly watching the ball drift out of play… when it struck the inside of the post and agonisingly crept over the line. 1-1. Shortly after that Luke went off, and the impetus of the game changed. 11 v 10; even then though we did fashion a couple of good chances and should have put the game beyond Milford, but with James and Serge really struggling, the last 15 minutes it was virtually 11 v 8. In extra time Milford fashioned one clear cut opportunity, but Jack narrowed the angle, made himself look big, and saved at point blank range.

Cometh the hour: Penalties – four volunteers. Press ganged Jack Parkin on the basis that a) he has a cool head, b) can kick the ball hard…which do you reckon? He goes first, side foots it to the keeper’s left – 1-0. Jack then saves the next three penalties... OK one had to be retaken, but psychologically Jack was in charge and the retake goes over the bar. Jack was right underneath it in any case. Jack Dempsey and Ross calmly convert (Jack firm bottom left, Ross in the angle of top right…wow!) and Kew are through.

Man-of-the Match: so many candidates again. Exclude the walking wounded, who would have qualified for bravery. All the back four were once again superb. The full-backs were close to flawless. Kieron missed nothing and looked great on the ball. Ross again fantastic down the left, winning tackles, and headers often against taller players. Luke until his departure was again commanding; another fine performance from Jack D, at sweeper as well as central midfield; Isaac now wears shorts with big pockets .. he keeps centre-forwards in them, so that you hardly know they are on the pitch. Leo wasn’t happy with his own performance but defensively he worked hard and effectively and took the penalty with confidence. Tommy was busy and always available, and it was his flash of inspiration that won the penalty. But man-of-the match goes to Simon. Carried on from his second-half performance against Woking, hard work, great tackling, ball-winning at every opportunity, defensively aware, all the way through the game. His best performance for Kew.

There’s no woe in Woking for the Colts
Woking United 0-3 Kew Association Colts, 24 Jan, SPL Cup
It was going to be an interesting fixture against a Surrey Premier team, who aren’t enjoying the best of seasons, and Kew got off to a flyer, putting pressure on Woking from the start. This led to a corner swung neatly from the right-hand side by Ashley to meet the head of Leo for 1-0. With 30 minutes played, Kew were 3-0 up thanks to a brace from James Wright, including an unusual feature for our second, a headed goal. The third goal was a smart back heel after a fine cross by the marauding rr (rugged right-back) Kieron Joseph. And in that time as well, Tommy had earned a penalty with a sharp turn in the box, but for the third time from the last four, the resulting penalty was missed.

The opposition were not the strongest team we have played this year, but this does not detract from the performance of the team. From front to back, left to right, everyone played well. Despite some overly physical challenges, Kew backed away from nothing and competed all over the pitch. James and Fred played out of position to cover the missing Serge in midfield, and both acquitted themselves well. Tommy was busy up front - his touch and pace caused Woking lots of problems.

In midfield, our goal machine that is Leo did well on the right until suffering an injury. Simon replaced him, and showed great commitment and the deftness of touch that we see in training, and put in the best half we have seen from him. Ashley was looking good on the ball, moving it sharply and linking particularly well with Fred and Tommy. His defensive efforts were outstanding throughout the 90 minutes.

The defence to a man was outstanding. I struggle to remember one lost tackle, one lost challenge. Kieron was typically aggressive, and pushed forward at every opportunity including a couple of mazy runs. Isaac was combative and authoritative. And any ball over the top, or player running through, was dealt with so effectively by Luke that Jack only had a couple of long range shots to deal with, which of course he did with panache and confidence.

To pick out a man of the match may seem a bit harsh, but two players put in performances that were as good or better than I had seen from them before. Jack Dempsey had an absolute stormer in the holding role in midfield. The number of challenges he won, and the number of passes completed were countless, and as the game progressed so did his hold over his part of the field. And Ross at left-back was in total control. Positionally he was excellent, he showed a great first touch and won every tackle he went for. Outstanding.

If there was one small criticism, it was that we had chances to make it a rout. 6, 7 or 8 nil were all on the cards, but the finest of margins on three or four occasions meant that we didn’t convert a high ratio of our chances. I have mentioned this before, and in closer matches we must try and improve this ratio. But hey ho, there’s no woe in Woking.

Lions’ Mane Man Wins the Day
Kew Association Colts 1-3 Sheen Lions, 13 Dec, Surrey FA Cup
A bright start from Kew saw them go into the lead. It was a soft penalty for Sheen to concede, but dispatched with confidence by Leo. The contest was relatively even but one moment of inattention and Sheen’s main man broke free and was given time to pick his slot. He scored a second shortly after. It looked like a brilliant shot on the turn, up in the air over the keeper into the far corner. Those closer to the action suggested however that it was a fluke, having come off the player’s shin and furthermore deflecting off Isaac who was in close attendance, giving the shot the height to beat the keeper. That gave the visitors a 2-1 half time lead.

The second half saw good spells from both teams. Kew had some good passing moves but, to be fair, Sheen’s strength and movement was giving them the edge in possession. Fred in goal (Jack Parkin nursing an injured knee) made two excellent saves to keep Kew in the game, tipping a powerhouse of a shot over the bar, and then at full stretch getting a hand to a shot destined for the bottom corner. Kew’s best chance at this stage fell to Leo who finished a good run with a shot wide of the far post. But with about 20 minutes to go, Kew failed to get a head on a corner in the six-yard box, and the ball fell for Sheen to take a commanding 3-1 lead. Kew needed to get back in the game straight away, and indeed had two chances to do so. Both fell to James, who firstly needed to head the ball over the advancing keeper, but headed high, and then had a fine attempt that missed the far post by a whisker with the keeper beaten hands down. After that, despite their efforts, Kew failed to unsettle the Sheen defence.

Kew made much more of a contest of this game than we did the previous year. We have made progress and there was not a great deal between the two sides. Sheen are strong across the midfield so it was a tough battle for us, and a consequence was that James upfront didn’t perhaps get the best of service, as they were always quick to close us down. But to our credit we stuck to the task and matched their commitment.

Contenders for Man Of The Match include Tommy who had a particularly good first half, winning possession as well as looking strong on the ball. Apart from one, maybe two moments, the back four as a whole played well. The shape was good and the tackles were timely. It was a close call between Kieron, Isaac, Ross and Luke, but without a hint of bias, MOTM goes to Luke who made all of his challenges as last man, and positionally was at his best.

Chertsey washout
Chertsey Town v Kew Association Colts, 22 Nov, League, match abandoned
The score just before half-time was 1-0 to Chertsey when the match was abandoned due to a downpour and hailstorm.

This was a familiar tale – a slow and largely indifferent start against a team that played to their strengths – a competitive long ball game that focussed on their giant centre forward. Early on he escaped the attentions of our defence and had a free header to put Chertsey ahead. To be fair, they could have notched a second, but the bar came to our rescue. 

It was a pitch that only just met the minimum width requirements so every throw-in was like a corner. It also condensed the game which meant space was at a premium.  We looked sluggish to start with, and did not compete as we can. But as the half progressed, so did our game. We started closing them down more quickly and made better use of our possession. We created a couple of clear-cut chances and were confident that we would have gone on to acquit ourselves well.

So the game will be replayed. We know what to expect and we know we must deliver greater commitment from the outset and more composure on the ball. It is well within our abilities to get results against the stronger teams. Tough-tackling, rugged right-back Kieron Joseph has requested a day when it isn’t raining, when the pitch is dry and the bounce even, the temperature moderate but not too hot, with preferably a light south-westerly breeze. He is convinced we would then be unbeatable. 

Isaac edges closer... and closer
Woking and Maybury 0-8 Kew Association U17 Colts, 15 Nov, league
Fred 3, Jack D, Leo, Tommy, Jack B, Nik

Kew recorded their second league victory of the season against bottom-placed Woking and Maybury, back to back wins, and we think our biggest win ever. Clearly joint bottom-placed Woking and Maybury are taking a few hits this year, but you can only beat the team in front of you. W & M competed, sometimes a little over-enthusiastically, but Kew looked by far the better team, and won playing football.

There was a short spell in the second half when we lost focus and W&M had a couple of half chances, dealt with comfortably by the unflappable Jack Parkin. This was despite him realizing that the green of his goal keeping jersey clashed slightly with his eye colour.  Jack was upset, having coveted a shade of violet on an U15 keeper that he felt should really be part of his wardrobe. To his credit and despite this distraction, Jack stayed focussed on his game, just occasionally wiping a tear of disappointment from his eye. 

But overall this was a solid and convincing performance from Kew. We can’t however get carried away, and we need to play with this commitment against teams of a higher calibre. When you score 8, it often means that you have missed a few as well, and that was indeed the case. (See above.. Isaac! And he was not alone!!) When opportunities present themselves against the stronger sides, our chances of winning will be enhanced if we can convert a high ratio. 

It is hard to pick out individuals. The back four were again as solid as the proverbial rock. Full-backs Jack Brosnan and Ross were both good, with Ross putting in a particularly positive performance. The partnership of Isaac and Luke in the middle looked impregnable. In the midfield Jack Dempsey was making good use of the ball and outside of him, particularly in the first half, Leo carried a threat that W&M struggled to contain. Tommy was involved in a lot of good moves, and was making a lot of the right choices, but MOTM was Fred with a hat-trick… and it could have been a couple more.

PS - the ref commented afterwards that Kew were the best footballing team he had reffed this year. Mind you, he had his fingers crossed as he spoke.

Kew cage Panthers
Kew Association U17 Colts 2 Purley Panthers 1, 8 Nov, Surrey FA Cup
Playing an U18 team who are second in their league represented a real challenge to the Colts. Physically Purley were the bigger and stronger side, but it was Kew who started the better. Purley were under pressure when on the ball, which meant they were forced into errors and hurried their play. Kew had spells when their passing and movement was good, and they were looking the sharper team when a well-worked move provided a chance for Leo to record his fourth goal in less than 90 minutes on the pitch.

Despite Kew having a quiet spell in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the half, Purley were unable to create any clear-cut chances as the defence held firm. The lead at half-time was merited and in the second half Kew asserted themselves once again. Isaac had an excellent opportunity to make it 2-0 when the ball dropped to his feet in the 6 yard box, but the shot cleared the bar, and just missed a 747 passing overhead.  But a few minutes later, a through ball saw Leo with a one-on-one chance, which he finished with aplomb. We had a couple of excellent opportunities to make it 3-0 and bury the game, but it wasn’t to be.

Unaccustomed as we are to being 2-0 up with 10 minutes to play, we decided that a bit of panic would not go amiss. It was only some fine reaction saves from Jack Parkin that kept Purley at bay. With five minutes left we were caught out by a through ball which gave them a goal back. Purley came very close to levelling the match with a shot that hit the bar, but despite a nervy 6 minutes of time added on by the ref, Kew hung on for a well-deserved victory.

The game wasn’t about individuals but hard work and the right attitude from everyone on the pitch. Having said that, the back four had a particularly strong game. Ashley started well but was replaced because of illness, and Kieron, Isaac, Luke and Ross played exceptionally well for 75 minutes, hardly losing a challenge and keeping a very good shape. Leo looked dangerous and his goals were well taken, but man of the match this week for a solid all-round game with a couple of exceptional moments, was Jack in goal.

It must be the oranges!
Shottersmill and Haslemere 9-3 Kew Association Colts, 1 Nov, League
A game of two halves saw Kew 6-0 down at half-time, with only a great flying save from keeper, Jack Parkin, preventing a seventh. Conditions were atrocious and with the ball sticking all over the place, the game should not have been played. But the conditions were the same for both sides and for fifty to sixty minutes one team dominated. Again there were some individual errors, but the whole team bears responsibility. Conceding early goals does not help the cause and heads went down.

But here’s the rub. Given the above, why and how can we as a team produce football, not just for the odd five minutes, but for a third to a half of the game that more than matches that of the top team in the league? The opponents’ management were happy they had a lead because if it had been close they were sure that only Kew would have won it. We need to start with that determination and self-belief. And within this positive patch Kew played some flowing football that drew comments of appreciation from Shottersmill’s spectators. 

Serge in midfield was Kew’s man-of-the-match with an outstanding display of non-stop work. He was in the thick of it for 90 minutes. A lot of credit goes as well to Leo, coming on as a sub and netting a second-half hat-trick from the right side of midfield.

Colts mauled by Pumas
Milford Pumas 5-0 Kew Association Colts, 11 Oct, League
Milford made their approach to the game clear when, within 20 seconds, Jack Dempsey was hit hard with a late challenge. And for the next 70 minutes, Milford asserted themselves physically and so without playing technically good football, managed to go 5 in front.

There is no point in picking out individual errors. Yes, there were some mistakes, but overall it was the team performance that let us down. And we are all part of the team. We didn’t play the football of which we are capable, and frankly we were out muscled by a physically large and strong team. They won the battle.

That is apart from the last 20 minutes. It seemed as though the fifth goal was an insult too far, that a couple of their unseemly challenges pushed us to the point where we got a bit angry... and suddenly we were able to dominate the play. We won challenges all over the pitch and how we didn’t score a couple of consolation goals defies belief.

Negatives - We lost the contest. I’m not saying we didn’t try, but we didn’t show the commitment, tenacity and strength we will need against strong teams. As we were losing the midfield, the defence were under a lot of pressure; a lot of this was handled well but as the score line clearly shows, some wasn’t. Upfront we didn’t offer enough of the right options enough of the time so often we felt we had to resort to hopeful punts up field, resulting in the ball coming back very quickly.

Positives – the chances we created were indeed very good scoring opportunities, even if our conversion rate was zero. This demonstrates we can play against this type of team. The score line suggests the opposite but we had at least five opportunities that could or should have resulted in a goal. One or two of these may have changed the psychology of the game. And in the last 20 minutes, we showed some of the football of which this team is capable... well, did they take their foot off the gas or did we finally turn up? We can only find out in the return match. Are we up for it?

Colts Wright on target
Byfleet Village Reds 0-1 Kew Association Colts, 4 Oct, friendly
The day didn’t start well. We were (unavoidably) late getting together and within an hour of kickoff we found ourselves with only 11 men, playing a friendly against Premier league opposition, Byfleet Reds. Their manager though, said that any team that goes 2-0 up against Chertsey should be a reasonable side – and he was right. The Colts started strongly and in a pretty even first half looked the more likely to break through. Kew’s goal was rarely threatened as Kew kept their shape through the team. The midfield stayed compact and restricted Byfleet’s time on the ball, and the back four played with commitment, composure and assurance. The combination of Isaac and Luke down the middle was particularly effective, and, with Ross playing the holding role well, the spine of the team looked solid.

Early in the second half Kew took the lead with an excellent finish from James Wright, turning his marker on the edge of the box and smashing the ball past the keeper from about 12 metres out. It was a fitting end to a move that started in our half and involved about five players moving the ball swiftly to feet.

Not long into the half, Colts were down to 10 men due to injury, and others were carrying knocks, notably Kieron, who under normal circumstances would have retired from the fray, but he battled on to good effect. Kew stuck to their task, and should have gone 2 up, but when a good opening was created, the shot was, untypically, scuffed.

The work rate was high, and individual performances were good throughout. We did tail off in the last 10 to 15 minutes as we tired, and Byfleet took the game to us. When they did finally breach the defence they found Jack Parkin in great form and it was a reaction save from pointblank range that kept the opponents out.

We don’t want to get too carried away, and there are things we can do better. Our movement was generally okay, but at times could be sharper. On occasion we can move the ball quicker and with more purpose. But there were a lot of positives to take out of this team performance with everyone making valuable contributions. Typical of the team was Ashley, who ran his socks off for the cause and had another fine game. 

Colts go on Cruise – on the Titanic
Kew Association Colts 2-4 Chertsey Town, 20 Sep, League
First–half: An excellent half from Kew saw them take a commanding 2-0 lead. Both goals were “assists” from the fine feet of goalkeeper, Jack Parkin, and saw cool finishes first from Tommy and then James. Kew were in cruise control, dominating the match, making Chertsey look second best,  and Kew really could have gone in at half-time 4 or 5 goals to the good. Special credit goes to Tommy who was featuring in a lot of our good moves, and also to Ashley who had an excellent half on the left-side of midfield. His combination with Luke at left back looked extremely solid. Upfront both James and Fred caused Chertsey all kinds of problems.

Second-half: Not as good. Final score: Kew Association U17 Colts 2 Chertsey Town 4

Postscript: The substitutions made, and the changes to the team’s format very probably cost Kew this game. For this, the manager, that is the author, takes full responsibility. However, part of the ethos of the team is that all in the squad are going to be involved in the success - or failure - of the team. Looking back on the changes and the game, I’m afraid I would do much the same again. Consequently I did offer to fall on my sword - unfortunately I don’t have a sword of my own, so to date no action.

Post Postscript: Thank you for the offers of swords flooding in, especially the long, razor-sharp ones. They sound great. I’ll be in touch.

And just one more thing: Maybe the reason this loss was disappointing was the fact that we have seldom, if ever, played as well as we did in the first half. Chertsey did not look like a strong team but only because we didn’t allow them to play and we exposed their weaknesses. It was only with the changed format that our performance dropped, and Chertsey came back (strongly) into the game. (Editor adds - and it illustrates the Colts improvement to recall that Chertsey enjoyed a comfortable double over our A team last season in the Premier division of the Surrey Youth League)

Colts slow out of the stable... but win the race
Isleworth Colts 3-4 Kew Association Colts, 20 Sep, League
The game was played on a tiny pitch with a rock hard ball that bobbled all over the place but it was the same for both teams. Kew started the game clearly under the impression it was Christmas already and it was our job to hand out presents in the shape of goals. After 15 minutes we were 3-0 down and in disarray, being outfought and out thunk all over the pitch. It looked as if we could lose by a big margin.

Kew though did not capitulate. Up until half-time the performance, though slightly improved, was still disjointed, but Isleworth did not create much in the way of chances. But then a fine finish from the left-hand side into the far corner from Ross Butland gave Kew a boost before half-time, and the second half was a different story. 

Kew started to play a bit. The first touch was better and we made more of our passes. The forwards looked lively and started unsettling the Isleworth defence. The combination of Isaac and Leo at the heart of the defence was now looking very solid and it was an excellent long pass from Leo that found James on a good run. It was another clinical finish from him and Kew were now clearly in the ascendancy. From a corner, Tommy Tippen appeared mysteriously at the far post and levelled the scores with a towering header. Not long later a defensive slip-up let in Simon who still had a lot to do, but with a calm authority took the ball on and then finished well. Kew 4-3 up.

Isleworth did fashion a couple of chances in the second half, one kept out by a full length diving save from new keeper Jack Parkin. Late in the game a momentary lapse let in Isleworth but the header from four yards went wide, and Kew were assured of their first win of the season, indeed our first league win for two seasons.

Clearly we don’t want to give teams three goals start but Colts showed commitment and character and no little skill in staging a great come-back.

Colts miss their flight as Comets fly by
Kew Association Colts 1-3 Woking Comets, 13 Sep, League
The immediate and overriding impression was that if Woking Comets are typical of the teams in the division, then the standard of Surrey Premier first division is as good as the West Surrey’s division one. This does not necessarily mean all gloom and doom for the Colts as at times during this game the Colts played technically the better football. Howeverm Woking were the stronger team physically. They were well organized and played to their strengths.

The first half was an even battle with both teams creating chances in about equal measure. Woking took one of theirs and went in one up at half-time. Colts had a good spell after the break but the Comets scored from their first opportunity when their main striker eluded the attentions of our defenders with a powerful run and a good finish. Colts then had a disappointing spell. The Comets buoyed by their 2-0 lead played with increased confidence and at this point and for a spell looked the better team.

It took a fine individual goal from James Wright to get the Colts going again. Strength and pace saw him out-muscle the centre-half and a clinical finish gave their keeper no chance. With about ten minutes leftm Colts launched an attack, Ashley on a good run down the left put in a cross only narrowly missed by James in the middle and Simon on the far post. But, from their next attack, the Comets scored a third, a softish goal that put the game beyond reach.

Kew Association Colts 1-1 Feltham Saints, 19 Aug, friendly
by Andy Gates

The Colts kicked off in fine style with a 1-1 draw with Division 1 Feltham and almost won it , conceding a last minute injury time equaliser.

Colts fielded a pretty strong side and controlled much of the first half after a pretty even first ten minutes . Feltham didn't really threaten the Kew goal with Robert Payne , Isaac Snow and man of the match, Jack Dempsey, breaking up any threatening moves .

Kew looked much more likely to score and without really testing the goalkeeper, flashed many chances across the box without anybody getting a final touch

Kerion Joseph impressed with a number of forward runs and both James Wright and Carian Scales looked dangerous. Matthew Gates also came close with a powerful volley that just went over the bar.

The 2nd half was much more open and Feltham retained a lot more possession, but with no penetration . Meanwhile Kew looked dangerous on the break and came within inches of scoring when a shot from Ross Butland from outside the box was tipped around the post

The break through came when Fred Wykes, making his debut for Kew Association, hit a well connected volley from 25 yards which ended up in the corner, after a deflection off of a defender. That was 5 minutes from time and should have been it , but Kew went looking for a second (against the manager’s advise ) - and nearly got it when Carian Scales was put through by a great flick from Fred Wykes, rounded the keeper - and........... just missed the far post after cutting the shot back from a narrow angle

Minutes later, Kew paid the price when three of the four midfielders got caught up field , and Feltham pierced the back four for the first time, leaving Jack Parkin facing two strikers.

But the omens look good as Colts out played a team from division above them and could - and should - have beaten them.