Wisbech 3 - 3 CRC

When looking at the cold facts about this game, 3-0 up and conceding three goals from set plays, you might expect us to be extremely unhappy about the performance. Well that only tells half the story. Our frustration in not gaining three points was tempered by the satisfaction of our first half display, which at times was superb. We looked exactly as we aspire to be. We were strong, aggressive and solid first and then as we gradually got on top, we started to pass the ball with a tempo, quality and purpose that we have not seen so far this season. We ended the first half having demoralised our hosts with our football and there was a swagger about the team that stayed the right side of the line.

The reaction to our third goal, early in the second half, showed the inherent weakness in the group and individuals within it. Rather than maintaining our work rate and disciplines, we just dropped off our levels of intensity by a few percent and allowed the home team to recover from the goal and regain their composure. Wide players stayed just a little too high and wide, front players spent too much time wrong side, central midfield players emptied the middle of the pitch too early. The difference was that from being a strong and compact unit, both in and out of possession, we became stretched and vulnerable to the counter attack. In the first half we wouldn't let our opponents out of their half after we lost possession and stopped the ball coming forward. That way they were always on the back foot and never able to stop our momentum or create pressure of their own. In the second half, we allowed them too much time on the ball and they were able to hit areas that forced throw ins, corners and free kicks in our defensive third.

Defending set plays used to be our Achilles heel but last season and this we have done much to eradicate this weakness. On Tuesday, our old nemesis returned as individuals failed to deal with three excellent whipped in deliveries. It serves no purpose to name names, especially as there was a refreshing honesty in accepting responsibility for these mistakes. Suffice to say, if we were a first team, throwing away two points in this manner would be viewed as nothing short of criminal. As a development team, we can look at things a little differently. Whilst we must ensure this method of conceding goals was merely a brief aberration, there are more important points to consider.

How can we replicate our first half display more consistently? This should be a benchmark for our levels of expectation. If we can play in this manner against a top six team away from home, there is no excuse for falling below these standards on our pitch against anyone in this league, especially the weaker teams. This brings us to the next question. Why did our reaction to scoring the third goal make us drop off our levels of intensity and work rate? We know the answer and it was fantastic from the learning perspective for the players to experience the difference at first hand so vividly. It is crucial they understand just how good they can be - first half. It is also crucial they understand what happens when they drop their standards - second half. One leads to success, the other to failure. Our players are beginning to realise that real success will only come if their application and work rate that created the first half performance is a constant.

It sounds daft but the fact we only drew the game was perfect for the purpose of educating our players. Seeing both sides of the coin was better for us than producing the perfect performance for 90 minutes and running out easy winners.

The goals in the first half came from Liam Hughes, after a good slide from JP, and an own goal, from a good early JP cross. I don't want to wax lyrically for too long but apart from small details in the box, we gave a complete performance for half an hour having drawn the sting from the home team's fast start. The front two gave our forward play an excellent focus, the distribution from the back was excellent, both in selection and quality, our wide players carried a threat with their movement and direct running, whilst the central midfield duo ran the show.

I have deliberately not mentioned names but I will highlight the two Luke's. On his comeback from injury, Luke Allen excelled and showed his potential but Luke Berry was simply on another planet. When he plays like this, dictating play, long and short passes, forward runs… it is hard not to be excited. What a talent.

Liam Hughes added his second by pouncing on a defensive mistake before we allowed the hosts to gradually claw back our lead and end with a share of the spoils. I won't repeat myself but even in between our previously documented defensive errors, we created a couple of gilt edged chances to regain the momentum.

When you reflect on a game of this type, you think of everything. I remember saying at half time how the game wasn't over, that we had to go and do it all again, how it was a test of our mentality and that the next goal was pivotal. On reflection, the final remark might have contributed to a subconscious reaction of "game over" by our players when the third goal came so soon in the second half. It's not just the players that never stop learning and I won't make the same mistake again.

I am sure that 316 paying spectators will have left the well appointed new ground at Wisbech full of admiration for our young players. I am also sure that 16 players left with a clearer idea of what they need to do to be successful and now understand why Nolan and I get so frustrated when we don't perform, even if we win. For us they are losses. Regardless of the score, Tuesday was a win.

Team: Davies, Eades, Coakley, Bevan, Hudson, Allen, Patrick, Berry, Ingrey, Hughes, Brighton

CRC are next at home to Mildenhall Town on Wednesday 8 September and Saturday 11 September to FC Clacton. Admission is £5 for adults, £2 for concessions and CUFC season ticket holders.
 

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