South Rushden Jaguars vs Higham Ferrers Colts
Saturday 28th November 2009
 
The Jaguars moved into match day eleven fresh from a hard fought match against Higham Colts, Josh Y was given the honour of leading the team after his good performance against the Colts. This second match against Higham provided the team with another local derby with many of the Colt’s players being classmates of the Jaguars.
 
The coaches opted for the following starting line up:
 
GK: Josh Y
Def: Josh L.; Finlay
Mid: Oliver; Carter
Fwd: Dan
 
The Jaguars kicked off and gradually began to assert some control over the game. After 2 minutes Carter fashioned the first clear scoring opportunity but the Higham goalie saved well leading to a corner which was cleared away. Rushden created further chances for Carter and Ollie after good work by Dan but the Higham defence resolute and in particular the goal keeper was exceptional, making a series of fine saves.
 
Higham weathered the early storm and began to take more procession forcing a series of throw-ins in attacking areas, but they came to nothing. Finlay and Josh L. both made good blocks to keep the scores level. Whilst in the attacking third good work by Ollie lead to chances for Carter and separately for Dan, however the Colts goalie was equal to the challenge.
 
After 10 minutes, the coaches shuffled the team replacing Finlay and Ollie with Tom and Nathan. The changes yielded further chances for Carter, Dan and Nathan but still the defence was not breached. However the final seconds of the first half great combination between Nathan and Carter set up Dan whose excellent finish finally broke the deadlock.
 
The half team time talk brought no changes for the Jaguars and Higham kick off. The Jaguars appeared to be still on the sideline as immediately from the re-start a strong run the Colts resulted in the equalising goal.
 
The goal woke the Jaguars up and they again pressed the Higham defence with Carter picking Dan on a number of occasions but great saves kept them at bay. Nathan then hit the side hit from a half chance.
 
After 6 minutes, the coaches returned Ollie and Finlay to the fray withdrawing Dan and Josh L. after good contributions.
 
Immediately the changes paid off with Ollie good finish from a corner putting the Jaguars back in front. The corner had been won by great work by Nathan. The game was swinging towards to the Jags with Ollie, Nathan and Carter taking control of midfield. Whilst Josh Y., Tom and Finlay were defensively, coping well with any Colts attacks. The midfield quickly created further chances for Carter and Nathan but both were narrowly wide.
 
Finally, the game was made safe when Ollie’s through ball found Carter in space, whose run and shot found the net, just before the final whistle.
 
So another hard fought victory for the Jaguars, with the Colts putting excellent defensive displays particularly the goal keeper who was outstanding.
 
Nathan was selected as man of the match and will the captain’s arm-band of the final match of the 2009 campaign against Raunds Town.