This turned into a frustrating night having started so promisingly. Ultimately, we paid the price for missing chances and a defensive slip that let our neighbours back into the game that in the opening spell we were dominating.

With torrential rain leading up to kick off and throughout the match, the pitch was extremely quick and therefore the tempo was higher than any of our previous matches this season. Before going any further, I should again commend the work of Ian & Mick. The pitch played unbelievably well in horrendous conditions and such a pristine playing surface does not happen by accident. No different to footballers, the result only comes through preparation, hard work, dedication and commitment. By aerating the pitch earlier in the day, before the deluge arrived, this game went ahead and the pitch was almost unmarked at the end of the evening. With limited resources, Ian & Mick work wonders and the fact that we play double the number of games to any other pitch at this level and yet they still win awards, speaks most eloquently about their expertise.

The pinnacle of our youth system is the scholarship system and the development contracts that we offer our most promising youngsters at eighteen. The CRC team playing on the first team pitch is absolutely crucial in producing first team players and is unique to our club. When we have so many disadvantages compared to Football League clubs in terms of funding and protection, it helps us produce an identity and culture that attracts quality players from far bigger clubs. In the last four years, the likes of Rory McAuley, Adam Marriott, Blaine Hudson, Jack Eades, Liam Hughes, Jonathon Thorpe, James Brighton, Alex Bevan, Luke Allen, Chris Tonks, Joe Bennett, Rowan Cooper, Martin Trunca and Lewis Smith have all joined from clubs that have played in the Premier League and/or Championship. Therefore, Ian & Mick do more than just prepare a pitch. They also help us to sign and develop first team players. Just ask Josh, Rory, Robbie, Maz and Ivesy what it meant to play in the stadium every week when they were scholars.

Anyway, back to the game. Luke Berry scored an excellent goal from the visiting keeper's only error of the night as he latched onto a weak punch with a well placed header from 15 yards out after ten minutes. The points should then have been wrapped up as we created three clear cut chances with some precise and incisive play that tore through a back four with their backs against the wall. Ryan Ingrey should have done better with a 1v1 and a volley that would have been a definite goal with a diving header while JP dragged a shot wide from eight yards having taken one touch too many. Jack Eades also had a goal correctly chalked off from close range, as he had drifted into an offside position from Alex Bevan's cross. If you lack the killer instinct to finish a team off when they are on the ropes, you must defend properly and keep a clean sheet. Unfortunately, we compounded our profligacy in front of goal by making a series of basic errors to concede a horrible equaliser. Only Martin Davies, who tipped the deflected shot onto a post, can be exonerated. Our two centre backs won't be pleased with their contribution though and having gone over 300 minutes without conceding, this was a tame way to surrender our lead.

The effect of the goal galvanised our visitors and having gifted them a foothold in the game, we slowly allowed them to gain the upper hand. Taff made a brilliant save to his left to prevent an even worse scoreline going into the break.

We felt that we created enough chances in the second half to win the game but whilst their keeper made some good saves, we didn't force him into any great ones. Alex Bevan failed to connect from close range when a goal looked certain, JP was denied by the keeper's trailing leg, Luke Berry shot just over and just wide, whilst a succession of set plays came to nothing. That said we weren't at our best and most of our threat emanated from JP when we moved him to the right flank. We switched play effectively to isolate JP with their left back and for a short period, he terrorised them with his speed and trickery.

Histon compensated by dropping players in to double up against him and kept the left sided centre back closer for cover inside but we failed to exploit the space this left in other areas. We must not become one dimensional and rely on JP's explosive pace to create chances. That is why playing him up front, where he is less effective, has been good for his development and made the team work harder to create chances and score goals. Ryan Ingrey has given us a different focal point to our attack with his excellent hold up play and we must be prepared to risk results and accept inconsistencies within performances by pushing the players outside their comfort zones in order to improve.

So credit to Histon for their resilience and there were some important lessons for our team, which was deprived of Blaine Hudson and Jonathon Thorpe through injury. The detail we could pinpoint on the DVD enabled us to identify and discuss faults but the feeling of frustration at 9.30pm was just as important to stay at the front of the player's minds and act as a reminder of what happens when you let teams off the hook. We need to be more ruthless.

Team: Davies, Eades, Coakley, Bevan, Hughes, Hannant, Bennett (Tonks 65), Berry, Ingrey, Patrick, Brighton 

CRC are next at home to Debenham LC on Saturday 28 August when the first team are away to Mansfield Town. Admission is £5 for adults, £2 for concessions and CUFC season ticket holders.
 


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