CK Group - Colts Review
Andrew Thomson
COLTS HANDED VALUABLE LESSON
This week saw the young Magpies up against competition heavyweights Southport .
In a match played with finals like intensity, the Magpies had the better of the first half and went in with a slender lead at half time. The pressure from both sides had made the first half a true arm wrestle , with the Magpies working to a 3 goal lead in the second quarter, then letting the opposition back in the game with some costly mental lapses.
After the long break , Southport lifted the level again and shot out to a two goal lead. The game was being played with an intensity that was fitting for two teams in the top 4 and the Pies then steadied and answered the challenge to level the scores.
Key moments determine the outcome of these games and it was at this time Southport sensed the moment better than the Pies, lifted their physicality at the contest and won crucial one-on- one battles. The result was a run of quick goals to end the third quarter . That 10 minute period resulted in a 4 goal lead to Southportand the Pies were faced with a mountain to climb if they were to claim the win.
Both teams were feeling the pinch , benches were littered with sore players on both sides. This turned the first 5 minutes of the quarter into a battle around the ground without much scoring. The Magpies got a goal back to draw within 3 goals , but again when it was needed most, Southport lifted, steadied and drew away. A couple of junk time goals blew the margin out to 6 goals at the end, but both sides knew they had been in a tough game of finals like footy. It was a hostile environment, and a game played between two sides who have not a lot of love for one another, but in the end the credit goes to the winners and the Pies offer no excuses. It's a good reminder after 7 weeks of good wins, that the Colts still have to improve in key areas if they are to achieve their goals this year.
The Colts will now gear up for another huge challenge against the unbeaten Maroochydore this Sunday at Chelmer.
Southport 16.5 - 101
defeated
Magpies 10.5 - 65
Best: Misso, Vine, Gore, Lawson, Stumer, Highlands
Goals: Lawson 4, Reynolds, Stumer, Gore, Renner, DeRooy, Grant 1