Maud -v- Colony Park Juniors

The playing surface was heavy and boggy as the teams kicked off. This was a “must win” fixture for Colony, and, unlike last week, they started the match in determined and blistering fashion, forcing Maud on to the back-foot right from the start.

Their pressure was rewarded very early as Dave Clark powered away from defenders and crossed for Stuart McKay to crash home from close in with barely 2 mins on the clock. A great start for the visitors, and relief for the veteran striker who has been going through a barren spell.

From the restart, Colony attacked again, and Craig Gill was unlucky, but the second goal was barely delayed when 3 minutes later a deflected shot by Adam Morrison found the back of the net, and the visitors were two up within 5 minutes.

Colony were winning all the loose balls, and Maud were finding it difficult to cope with the pressing and breaks by the away side, and Craig Gill, Adam Morrison and Dave Clark were totally in charge of the centre of the park.

There were numerous chances for Colony, and McKay and Mitchell had opportunities to add to the score. Robertshaw was virtually a passenger, but coped well with everything that came his way.

On 34 mins, Colony deservedly added a third when another run and cross by Clark saw Andrew Mitchell score at the far post.

It was one-way traffic, and Mitchell, Clark, Crisp and Hinks all had chances before the break.

Half-time: Maud 0-3 Colony Park

The second half started the same way as the first, with Colony continuing to press, and chances came and went for Crisp, McKay, Hinks and Peden.

Colony looked very comfortable, but did not appear to have the same energy as they displayed in the first-half, which was understandable owing to the conditions and score.

Manager Richard started to freshen up the side, and Graeme Cochrane replaced Barry Peden.

Two minutes later, Craig Gill added a fourth goal when he crashed home from inside the box.

With around 20 mins remaining, Kev Bonarius and Steve Morrison replaced Andy Mitchell and Jamie Brailsford, and the freshness of the substitutes gave the visitors added energy. Graeme Cochrane saw a shot saved as Colony looked to add to the score.

With barely 5 mins of normal time left, Craig Gill scored his second when he blasted in from close range.

Kevin Bonarius tried his luck from distance, but his shot was well over. The visitors were not done yet, and Dave Clark got his just rewards for his performance when he broke away and finished well in the 88th minute.

Full-time: Maud 0-6 Colony Park

This was an excellent all-round team performance, and it was a pleasure to see Colony start the game on the front foot, and maintain the work-rate and pressure for the whole game. Maud had no answer to the power and pressing of Colony, and the score could have been embarrassing had the visitors taken all the chances they created. There were no failures in the side, andA David Clark deserves a mention for the problems he caused on a heavy and strength sapping surface. A sterner test awaits next week.