Sandal Wanderers 5 - 8 Colton AFC (02.03.19)

Clearly a game for the attacking players today as both teams were lax at defending. Colton got the three points as Jono Goodwin and Josh Naylor scored 4 goals each.

At half time it was 3 – 4. Sandal scored on 8 minutes, but Colton responded four minutes later when Jordan Thackery assisted Naylor with a great low cross into the 6 yard box.

Sandal regained the lead, after some slack defending from the visitors, although Goodwin restored parity on 31 minutes after Danny Coates made a nuisance of himself in the Sandal box from an Adam Kinghorn throw in.

Colton then took a two goal lead. Goodwin scoring two inside a minute when Chris Hick supplied the ball into the box; then Thackery’s superb long ball enabled Goodwin to finish easily. Seven minutes before half time Sandal reduced the arrears from a corner, although prior to that Adam Hartley in the Colton net pulled off a couple of good stops, and Sandal also hit the post.

A few instructive words at the half time talk for the visitors seemed to work. Colton went 3 – 6 up with Naylor grabbing two goals on 49 and 50 minutes. Again, Thackery was the catalyst as his low crosses into the box were played with pinpoint accuracy.

Colton’s defence played better in the second half. Joe Drake, Ben Vickers, Chris Wayman and captain Joe Horner held their shape better denying the hosts any opportunities.

On the hour, Goodwin bagged his 4th goal. Yet again, Thackery was the provider. Colton made substitutions, as Max McCormick, Rob Ashworth and James Green replaced Drake, Kinghorn and Goodwin respectively.

Not to be outdone by his team mate, Naylor scored his 4th goal after a foraging run and then a shot by Vickers was saved by the Sandal ‘keeper. Naylor slotted home the rebound. 3 – 8 on 82 minutes.

That should have been it, but Sandal scored two late goals in the last five minutes due to sloppy defending by Colton.

Final score 3 – 8

The result gave Colton the opportunity to clinch the title if other results at Tyersal and Shire went their way. And they did. Tyersal were held by Fairbank and Leeds City overcame Shire. Colton are crowned Division 2 Champions 2019.