Charlie Kelly (left) and Alex Chandler chasing the loose ball
CFC Shalford vs Cressing
Braintree & North Essex Sunday League Division 1A good start to the New Year was essential for us. A win at Stebbing was definitely a start, but it was a win today that was going to cement any serious attempt on sustaining a good position in the league. Today’s game wasn’t going to be easy. A team in form, Cressing were coming to Shalford to increase the three points they had taken from us late last year. A scrappy game then was sure to be repeated, as both teams had a point to prove.
A new, reformed CFC were facing a bitterly cold day of football but instantly made an impact as we started the game sharply. Crisp passing saw the confidence grow quickly through the ranks. A back four of Ross, Ropey, Alex and Charlie gave the rest of the team freedom to push forward and attack this title fighting Cressing side. Marky J was now finding his feet in goal again and played with an air of self confidence that oozed all over the park, plucking the ball out of the air with ease and delivering the ball intelligently(!) when required.
Although the first twenty minutes was lacking in any flare, it was a period where everyone was doing their job. Any attack from Cressing was squashed quickly with continuous good play from the rear guard and MJ.
We came close to breaking the dead lock with a mistake in the Cressing defence. Pitt latched onto a loose ball only to see his snatch shot smothered well by the advancing keeper.
A couple of frustrating offside decisions saw Shalford denied the lead when a disallowed what looked a perfectly good goal. This started off the undercurrents, still swirling from the previous meeting of the two teams. This lit the fire in the bellies of Shalford who continued to press. The pressure paid off and soon after Bensley broke down the left hand side, finding himself one on one with the 'keeper and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. A deserved goal saw us go into the break with the lead.
Half Time: CFC Shalford 1 Cressing 0
CFC started the second half just as assertively as the first. Shutting down any play from Cressing, reaping the benefits by picking the second ball up and distributing it wisely through the confident line up. The wide channels were now being exploited by the increasing wing play.
The middle of the park was creating space of their own and were distributing well. Nashie, Marvis, Gary and Curtis had stemmed the positive play Cressing’s creative players had shown in the earlier game. Cressing continued with the high line that had offered some contentious decisions in the first half, were now being unravelled. Marvis came close when he found himself in front of goal only to shoot high.
However all the positive play was undone soon after, the CFC were brought down to earth quickly when they failed to deal with the Cressing captain. He picked the ball up in his own half and with very little around him to prevent his run, continued and struck the ball that sailed straight over the outstretched MJ. The score was now level but the attitude around the team remained confident and almost dismissed that it ever happened. It seemed to inspire an already motivated team.
The heat was now getting to boiling point and Shalford were ready to burst into a goal frenzy. A through ball from Babet saw a confident Bensley drive for the bye line, a pinpoint pass found an advancing Pitt in the box to take the lead, once again. The confidence was now evident all over the players. This was now an opportunity for Shalford to prove to themselves that they can mix it with top of the table.
The pressure mounted even more when Nash created some space and slid a ball through the tiring defence, Pitt sprung the offside trap and drove for the corner. His cross delivered with pace, saw it catch the wind and hit the far post and nestle in the back of the net.
Whilst the Cressing heads were down CFC offered more body blows. Bensley ran on to an MJ kick guiding it coolly over the advancing Cressing Goalie. Not content there, Bensley was then handed a gem when he was allowed space just outside the box and slotted home for his hat-trick with still 15 minutes to play.
Shalford made their substitutions and saw the three fit into positions perfectly, all stepping up to the plate without hesitation. Sid, confident in the tackle and twinkle toed with the ball at his feet allowed the positive play to continue. Archie still keen to regain his match fitness saw him run at the defenders with a decisive attitude. It was Archie’s hold up play that found the third substitute, Ricky, in space in the box.
Cressing failed to clear the ball from the persistent Bohane who, after his fifth attempt, found the back of the net. It was this sheer determination that, for me, summed up the entire squads performance.
Full Time: CFC Shalford 1 Cressing 1
A well deserved victory and a score line that has been a long time coming. Too many times we have created chance after chance and not taken them. Today saw us destroy a good contender for promotion this season, which has given us back our belief and dignity that we have so craved for.