Recent Posts

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Lowland League Team / A new era begins

« Last post by ErnSal on June 21, 2022, 09:11:04 AM »

A new management team and a new squad (with a few familiar faces). Exciting times ahead.
The opening friendly against Stranraer was always going to be a challenge. Stranraer were certainly a very good side and they do look like a team that will do well this season. For Colts it was an opportunity to try out players, positions and formations. It takes time for a team to settle and gel but thankfully there are quite a few pre-season games to begin that process. I’m looking forward to the new season.
Hopefully, with the departure of Clyde (who, in my opinion, never seemed fully committed to Cumbernauld) we might see some new Cumbernauldian supporters at Broadwood.

12

Lowland League Team / Best Wishes to James Orr

« Last post by ErnSal on April 21, 2022, 08:55:41 PM »

I haven’t been on the forum this season but as a supporter of the Colts from season 1 in 2015 I wanted to express my gratitude to James Orr who has managed the team from day one up to now. He and Craig McKinlay, together, assembled and coached Cumbernauld’s only genuine senior team, a team that over the last seven years has provided such great entertainment. It has not been an easy task and I suspect that James has devoted much of his time and energy to overcoming all the challenges that come with a Lowland League team on a limited budget with a high turnover of players combined with frequent injuries. Despite all that, the Colts have for the most part punched above their weight in the league and have in their trophy room, to their credit, the Lowland League Cup.
My gratitude and best wishes for the future.

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Lowland League Team / It never rains but it pours

« Last post by ErnSal on August 07, 2021, 09:18:49 AM »

After the last evening game at Broadwood when the players needed water breaks because of the sunshine and heat, yesterday evening was a marked contrast: torrential rain in the first half matched by a torrent of goals, unfortunately all at the wrong end. Four goals down in 35 minutes to Stirling Uni! I think that must be an unwelcome record for the Colts. Thankfully, in the second half the Colts moved into gear and it looked as if we would win the second half 1-0 but in the closing minutes the Uni scored another two goals. A 6-1 defeat and at home. I suspect that might be a record league defeat for us. Perhaps, the only consolation is knowing that the team playing last night was made up of almost all July signings, new to the Colts team. The Uni with their speed, youth and enthusiasm exploited the lack of cohesion and understanding among our players who are just at the early stages of learning to play together. Hopefully, it won’t take long to form a cohesive unit because we do have good players.

14

Lowland League Team / Stalemate in the Sunshine

« Last post by ErnSal on July 22, 2021, 04:04:51 PM »

I never expected to see an evening football match in Scotland that included breaks for water during each half. Certainly a novelty but a necessary one during this heatwave. As league leaders we certainly showed why we were at the top. (Ok. I admit it. We had only played one game previously) Anyway, it was an intriguing game with chances created at either end. Perhaps a goalless draw was the correct result. It was pleasing to see the blend of new and old both in terms of age as well as length of service to the Colts. Holding Bonnyrigg to a draw is a very good sign especially during the early phase when the Colts team is in the process of taking shape and gelling. I can’t make Saturday’s game but I’m looking forward to attending as many home games as possible. I think that this year’s Colts team will be a very entertaining one.

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Lowland League Team / A Friendly Optimism

« Last post by ErnSal on July 09, 2021, 02:26:48 PM »

Colts are in the process of forming their squad for the coming season but already the omens look favourable. The last three games were against a League 2 team, a League 1 team and a Championship side and yet Colts were able to hold their own and were unlucky not to have had better results. In the six years since The Colts senior team took to the field for the first time they have always shown that they are capable of beating any side in the Lowland League but more than that they have shown that they can battle bravely against any side that they are drawn against. So, bring on season 2021-22. Forza Colts!
(And Forza Italia! not from any anti-English bias but as a tribute to the Italian side of my family. Lol.)

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Lowland League Team / A Convincing victory

« Last post by ErnSal on June 13, 2021, 05:49:56 PM »

5-0 against Blantyre Victoria. The longer the game went on, the more Colts took control. It was a great team performance and it provides reasons to be optimistic considering that most of the players are new to the team. The team was well-organised and showed determination in their constant pressing and winning back the ball. There were some excellent passing moves and plenty of creativity. The second goal was a beautiful long distance shot. Overall, a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon. The only thing that puzzled me was the division of the stand into sections which resulted in almost all of the fans finding themselves in the same section. Seemed strange to herd the fans into a smaller area than normal during the time of Covid restrictions. I suspect there was a reason for this but I have to admit that, as yet, I can’t figure it out. ??

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Lowland League Team / Great to be back

« Last post by ErnSal on June 05, 2021, 05:59:04 PM »

So good to be back at Broadwood and to see some familiar faces. The limiting of the space on the main stand made for a better atmosphere. A lot of new players in the squad, most of them listed as trialists but good to see some of the longer serving players such as Stephen O’Neill and Craig Murray, as well as the return of Richard Kirwan. It was an entertaining game and Colts scored two excellent goals which looked enough to finish comfortably with a 2-0 victory but Musselburgh came back with two very late goals to secure a draw. No doubt there is a lesson to be learned about complete concentration until the final whistle and no better place to learn such lessons than in friendlies rather than league or cup games. Anyway, it was great to be back watching football in a stadium rather than on television. Looking forward to our next friendly at Broadwood in a week’s time.

18

Lowland League Team / Gratitude to Craig McKinlay

« Last post by ErnSal on May 25, 2021, 05:27:54 PM »

I have just watched Craig’s farewell interview on twitter. My son and I have been following the Colts from season one and we have always felt that Craig and James have done a fantastic job managing Colts. Fourth in season one and then later the League Cup victory but more importantly they put together a team that played football in an entertaining way. I am sure that James will continue that tradition but we just wanted to express our gratitude for what Craig has brought to the club. Although we are fans and don’t witness what goes on behind the scenes it was always obvious to us that Craig was supportive of the players and they in return showed him both respect and a fondness. It will be sad to see him missing from the technical area but our best wishes to him for the future.

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Lowland League Team / Summer Football. Hooray.

« Last post by ErnSal on May 25, 2021, 10:04:55 AM »

I am very much looking forward to the Euros starting next month but Summer has just become even better knowing that Colts home friendlies will be streamed live although I also remain hopeful that we will be able to return to Broadwood for the new season. Looking forward to seeing Colts in action again. With the promotion of Kelty Hearts and the previous promotion of Edinburgh City I think it has become obvious that the Lowland League is a very competitive league displaying a high standard of football considering it is Scotland’s fifth tier. Anyway, Forza Colts!!

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Lowland League Team / Just Say No

« Last post by ErnSal on April 20, 2021, 05:24:14 PM »

As a loyal fan of Cumbernauld Colts I urge our board not to join the European Super League. Reject the billions and uphold the principles of fairness and sportsmanship in football.
(Have we been approached yet?)

Forza Colts!