CBC Alresford FC vs Witham Phoenix FC
So, fresh from another fortnight off (sort it out League!!!), up came the challenge of Witham Phoenix in the first round of the Essex Trophy. Having got through the minefield that was the preliminary round a few weeks back, The Old Lady took up temporary residence at Shrub End Playing Fields with a good team out (despite 4 knee injuries and a broken finger keeping out 5 players, and family/work commitments keeping out another 3!!!)...
And as we kicked off into a howling gale (nice of you to join us Mr Hiskey. Better late than never!), the first half highlights were CBC attacking, Phoenix defending, CBC attacking, Phoenix defending, until Late Boy Dan Hiskey decided that clearing and marking is not his sort of thing at right back and one ball later and it was CBC 0 Witham 1 and dumbstruck faces all round...
Second half, we started brightly (looking good on the ball and amusing ourselves as their right winger threw up on the sidelines!) and somehow it was soon 1 1 as Matt Paddock got something on the ball at the far post and we were as even as steven can be.... but not for long as it was soon CBC 1 Phoenix 2 as a defensive balls up, pretty much from the restart, meant we were behind again! But rather than look downhearted, we upped out game again, equalising through captain Liam Fitton and soon it was two for The Liability as he rose like a salmon to make it CBC 3 Witham 2. And just when we thought that was that, Alan Mowbray thought he'd give the game a chance, gave away a pen and with 30 seconds to go it was CBC 3 Witham 3 and that was that for full time...
Extra time came and went in a blur but with The Old Lady showing some previously unseen fitness, and determination, it was still 3 3 at the turnaround but with our pressure telling it was left to CBC Legend Adie Mowbray to take pass from Matt Scott, turn into a goal hero and slam to ball past a bemused defender and keeper to make (despite the appearance of keeper Wrooty outfield! Should have scored mate!!!), the final score CBC Alresford FC 4 Witham Phoenix 3 aet....
So where now? Well the second round of the comp is a good start! With a competitive record of W 2 D 2 L 2 this season, there's work to be done and with home and away fixtures versus Colchester Deaf (who are top of the league!) coming up, it will need some doing but that can wait for a couple of days. It's time to bask in a good win! It's time to rest the weary legs! And most of all it's time to realise that we're actually a pretty good team and who knows, things could start to look rosey all of a sudden!
Co-Man Of The Match - Liam Fitton/Alan Ford
Starting XI - Dave Tracey, Dan Hiskey, Scott Franklin, Leighton Smith, Alan Mowbray, Rob Bari, Liam Fitton (c), Alan Ford, Adie Mowbray, Matt Paddock, John Brierley
Subs - Matt Parker, Chris Wroot, Matt Scott
Until next time...
So, fresh from another fortnight off (sort it out League!!!), up came the challenge of Witham Phoenix in the first round of the Essex Trophy. Having got through the minefield that was the preliminary round a few weeks back, The Old Lady took up temporary residence at Shrub End Playing Fields with a good team out (despite 4 knee injuries and a broken finger keeping out 5 players, and family/work commitments keeping out another 3!!!)...
And as we kicked off into a howling gale (nice of you to join us Mr Hiskey. Better late than never!), the first half highlights were CBC attacking, Phoenix defending, CBC attacking, Phoenix defending, until Late Boy Dan Hiskey decided that clearing and marking is not his sort of thing at right back and one ball later and it was CBC 0 Witham 1 and dumbstruck faces all round...
Second half, we started brightly (looking good on the ball and amusing ourselves as their right winger threw up on the sidelines!) and somehow it was soon 1 1 as Matt Paddock got something on the ball at the far post and we were as even as steven can be.... but not for long as it was soon CBC 1 Phoenix 2 as a defensive balls up, pretty much from the restart, meant we were behind again! But rather than look downhearted, we upped out game again, equalising through captain Liam Fitton and soon it was two for The Liability as he rose like a salmon to make it CBC 3 Witham 2. And just when we thought that was that, Alan Mowbray thought he'd give the game a chance, gave away a pen and with 30 seconds to go it was CBC 3 Witham 3 and that was that for full time...
Extra time came and went in a blur but with The Old Lady showing some previously unseen fitness, and determination, it was still 3 3 at the turnaround but with our pressure telling it was left to CBC Legend Adie Mowbray to take pass from Matt Scott, turn into a goal hero and slam to ball past a bemused defender and keeper to make (despite the appearance of keeper Wrooty outfield! Should have scored mate!!!), the final score CBC Alresford FC 4 Witham Phoenix 3 aet....
So where now? Well the second round of the comp is a good start! With a competitive record of W 2 D 2 L 2 this season, there's work to be done and with home and away fixtures versus Colchester Deaf (who are top of the league!) coming up, it will need some doing but that can wait for a couple of days. It's time to bask in a good win! It's time to rest the weary legs! And most of all it's time to realise that we're actually a pretty good team and who knows, things could start to look rosey all of a sudden!
Co-Man Of The Match - Liam Fitton/Alan Ford
Starting XI - Dave Tracey, Dan Hiskey, Scott Franklin, Leighton Smith, Alan Mowbray, Rob Bari, Liam Fitton (c), Alan Ford, Adie Mowbray, Matt Paddock, John Brierley
Subs - Matt Parker, Chris Wroot, Matt Scott
Until next time...
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