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Sunday 11 September 2005 West Surrey Youth League U16 Premier Elite
The Colts went into this game after a reasonable run in pre season friendlies, but it was Barnes Eagles who created the better openings during the first half and they were unfortunate to go in 1-1 at half time. It was a different story in the second half as the Dons went 3-1 one up, but they will rue missed chances and a couple of lapses in defence as Barnes got a fortunate 3-3 draw.
The first significant opening of the match came in the 8th minute when Luke Pigden's pass dissected the defenders for Oli Treacher to cross from the by-line but, Jordan Cheadle was unable to capitalise on the cross before it was partialy cleared to Callum Turner who blasted wide from just outside the box. Barnes took the lead in the 23rd minute when a long ball through the middle caught the defence out and the attacker slotted home from 20 yards. The Dons were back level in the 32nd minute when a Stevie Gilbert ball found Jason Chapman marauding down the right, he sent over an excellent cross for Cheadle's looping header to drop over the keepers head into the empty net for 1-1. Jamie Henley had to pull off two fine saves to keep the Dons level at half time in the 36th and 40th minutes, on both occasions turning shots around the post for a corner.
The tone of the second half was set within the first few seconds, a barnstorming run through midfield and defence by Gilbert saw his shot fly wide for a goal kick. In the 46th minute a long clearance found James Bailey who rounded the keeper but the angle was too acute to slip the ball home and the attack broke down. A minute after a goal bound shot by Pigden from 18 yards was deflected on to the post and away for a corner. Bailey headed over at the back post from the corner. Gilbert put the Dons in front in the 59th minute when he blasted home from just inside the box. Two minutes later the Dons extended their lead, the move started with a thow in at left back, played into Gilbert in midfield who found Cheadle with a superb pass, he broke clear of the defence to side foot past the stranded keeper. Lawrence Ebanks on as a half time sub had a fine shot saved by the keeper as did Gilbert and Bailey. The Dons were looking good to adding to their advantage before disaster struck. A defensive indecision allowed the Barnes striker to pull one back in the 69th minute and worse was to follow in stoppage time when he again capitilised on a stroke of bad luck as Henleys throw out clattered off the back of Ebanks, falling nicely into the path of the forward who lobbed the keeper for an unbelievable scoreline of 3-3.
