CFC Shalford vs Rayne
Braintree & North Essex Sunday League Division 1CFC Shalford continued their good form with another win for the year away to Rayne. Learning from the mistakes from the poor performance last week, Shalford started the game positively and instantly had the youthful hosts on the back foot. Crisp passing and movement saw Shalford move through the defence with ease. It was only for lack of composure in front of goal that saw the game goalless for some time. Pitt having the pick of the chances that should have put the game out of reach for Rayne within the first ten minutes.
Twenty minutes in, Bensley broke the seal, connecting onto a through ball from Roberts, volleying home an excellent move from just inside the box that started deep in the Shalford defence. Shalford dominated most of the first half with positive play throughout the team. Smith having success down the right hand side almost every time he received the ball. Babet having equally as much success down the left. Both delivering decent balls into the box for the remaining midfield and strikers to feed off.
The score was doubled on the brink of half time. Nash placed the ball after Smith was fouled about ten yards outside the box. With his right foot, Nash swung a delightful ball into the heart of the box and saw Roberts flick the ball into the far post.
A well deserved goal with a decent first half performance. At times CFC seemed to switch off however Rayne couldn’t capitalise on these slim pockets in the game.
Half Time: CFC Shalford 2 Rayne 0
Shalford started the second half a little more relaxed than they should have. This encouraged sloppy play that seemed to engulf the majority of the team. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Rayne halved the score by taking advantage. Breaking through the Shalford defence and slotting passed the outstretched Johnson. CFC picked there game up slightly, as the goal had certainly revived a very lack lust Rayne.
They were now winning both the first and second ball; they were getting to every header and appeared to be that yard quicker. But for all their efforts, they couldn’t create anything in the final third and the attacks were slight attempts from distance and causing the Shalford boys no issues.
CFC decided to pull their socks up and started creating chances again. With eighteen minutes to go Roberts put Pitt through who was now running towards goal. Bensley made a darting run in front and picked up the cross/shot from Pitt and guided it inside the far post for the third.
CFC, not learning from the lessons early in the second half stepped off the pedal again and allowed the left winger for Rayne to jink his way down the left and deliver a cross for the advancing forward to slot home past the stranded Johnson.
CFC responded immediately with Bensley finding an unmarked Babet from the kick off to be stopped only by the brave Rayne Keeper. Shalford kept Rayne at bay for the remainder of the game but weren’t decisive enough to finish any hope Rayne may have taken from the two goals given to them.
With two minutes to go Pitt was found by a delightful weighted free kick from Buckley and with a control and turn, bent the ball into the far post catching the upright before hitting the net. The linesman attempted to deem the goal offside but after the referee had consulted him, allowed the goal to stand as the players that were alleged to be offside were not interfering.
Shalford deserved the three points today but showed that they are far from the polished article and need to concentrate on their finishing. This has been their downfall as it has been so evident that the games could easily be over quicker if they could capitalise on the superior firepower they offer.
Full Time: CFC Shalford 4 Rayne 2