No Hall pass as Colony force a point
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COLONY Park battled their way to a deserved draw against Hall Russell United in Inverurie.
Manager Richard Davidson made four changes to the line-up from the abandoned match against Nairn St Ninian the week prior.
Both teams fielded youthful sides, and despite the heavy surface, the game started at a quick pace.
The visitors were troubling the home defence on both wings, and after only three minutes Keith Robertshaw was forced into a smart save to prevent Colony going behind.
Halls did not have all the attacking options, and a brilliant run and cutback by David Clark saw Stuart McKay clip the outside of the post when he might have scored.
Greg Cowie also powered in a header which brought out a smart save by the visiting keeper, and Connor Kiloh screwed a shot wide.
A goal was inevitable, and it was Halls who opened the scoring.
The visiting striker was played in, and although Robertshaw saved the initial effort, the rebound fell to Davidson to put the visitors up in the 12th minute.
There was very little between the sides, and Colony began to push the visitors back.
Kevin Bonarius tried his luck, but the Halls keeper dealt with his effort.
But in the 26th minute, Connor Kiloh scored a well-worked equaliser.
A ball down the middle was headed into the path of Kiloh by Cowie, and the youngster drew the keeper before blasting a shot into the top corner of the goal.
Hall Russell came out looking to gain the advantage at the start of the second period and went ahead in controversial circumstances.
Following a challenge, it seemed quite clear to most that the result should have been a goal kick to Colony, but the referee awarded the visitors a corner.
The hosts failed to clear properly as Kane fired home from the edge of the penalty area.
Colony did not submit and levelled again only six minutes later, with Clark's brisk pace taking him by the visiting defence, before being tripped inside the area.
Skipper Stuart McKay was his usual efficient self, and duly converted from the spot.
Hall Russell flooded forward as the game entered the final quarter and Robertshaw showed his worth with another save from close range.
The visitors were pressing hard, but Colony were still looking dangerous on the break as both teams went in search of a winner.
Hall Russell saw efforts go wide and hit the woodwork as they exerted pressure late on, but the home defence somehow managed to shut them out and claim a valuable point.
There is no doubt that the visitors should have won the game if it was judged on chances created, but Colony deserved some reward for effort alone.
There were three changes to the Colony back line, and Clark was asked to play an unfamiliar role wide on the left.
The home side rode their luck, but luck is something which has been missing of late.
