So that I don't break the code that ensures any individual criticism remains inside the dressing room, I will keep the actual details of the match factual and brief.

Wivenhoe are a strong side with several players who could be plying their trade at a higher level, and how long they remain with the Essex club will dictate how high they finish in the league. We have faced teams of quality in our two year history at CUFC before though. Last season we defeated the reigning champions, Wroxham, 4-1 away from home with a side ravaged through illness, injury and suspension. We also beat the eventual champions, Soham Town Rangers, 2-0 at home. Both wins were achieved through organisation, hard work, desire, team spirit, commitment and the mental strength to handle opponents with superior physical attributes. None of these qualities were apparent on Saturday.

Our goal was peppered in the first half and at times the game resembled Sam Beagle v Wivenhoe.He made several excellent stops, with one reflex save from a close range header and another tip onto the post from a fierce drive was absolutely outstanding. In addition, the hosts struck the bar twice, the inside of the post once and missed three other sitters.

At the other end, their potential vulnerability was never exposed by a mixture of poor approach play, a lack of quality with the final ball and, when opportunities did arise, no composure in front of goal. As a result, ex-CUFC scholar Phil Smith spent most of the afternoon redundant. The only positive aspect of the first half was that somehow, by hook or by crook, we had survived the onslaught and miraculously, the game remained scoreless.

In changing our system to 4-5-1 after half an hour, we tried to plug some of the holes and then at half time tried to address the basics that we needed in order to compete. Our resistance lasted seven minutes, during which time we actually won a couple of tackles, headers and briefly played on the front foot. The opening goal stopped us in our tracks and the capitulation that followed was embarrassing.

I will spare you and the players any more detail about the five goals and our 'performance' in the last 38 minutes. This was our heaviest ever defeat and rivalled Harwich at home (lost 6-2) and Felixstowe away (lost 5-2) in our first season, as occasions when we visibly waived the white flag and gave up before the final whistle. Many questions need to be answered and Saturday must be a watershed. Either the players heed the lesson and realise what it takes to be successful or we are in for a long season. The lesson was so severe that if it doesn't, nothing will.

Kirby, McAuley, Carr, Cutler and Wixon formed the spine of a team that were only beaten by more than one goal on three occasions last season and finished with 63 points but were not successful in earning a professional contract. Food for thought for the current second year scholars...

One bright note was the contribution and continuing development of young Luke Berry, just turned 16 years old. He put others to shame with his energy, honesty and attitude. Luke will only get better. Opportunities may come quicker than they think for our first year scholars because if we are going to lose in this fashion, we might as well blood younger players sooner rather than later. Jack Bailey impressed as substitute against Kings Lynn Reserves, Blaine Hudson shows the character required and others need to take their lead.

This should have been a really good learning experience for the players as the home side adopted a 3-1-4-2 formation and played with intelligent movement, which is rare in this league. Our woefully weak and spineless display rendered such tactical nuances irrelevant.

Team:
Beagle, Bowe, Coakley, Howell, Carr, McAuley, Bussens (Ives 45), Berry, Hunter (Yambasu 70), Marriott, Patrick.

Jez George