CRC 2 Wisbech Town 2
A missed opportunity for another three points but a measure of how far our standards have been raised is that we are disappointed with a draw despite being without Sam Beagle, Rory McAuley, Andy Howell, Brad Hunter and Craig Bussens from the side that started the season and losing the influential Adam Marriott through injury after just 20 minutes.
When you analyse the team, the following players had all made less than ten starts in the Ridgeons League: Richard Mace (2), Sam Parkinson (8), Blaine Hudson (2), John Yambasu (3), Nick Davey (debut), Jack Eades (2), Luke Berry (8) and Jack Bailey (2). This puts any criticism into perspective and shows the value of the fifteen points we have accrued because at the first hint of injuries, Luke Berry (aged 16) is our fourth most experienced player!
We started slowly and were duly punished by our visitors, with a free header past the exposed Richard Mace from a right wing cross. Our wide players must improve their 1v1 defending. Our sluggish opening was particularly disappointing because Wisbech were reeling from a 6-2 home reverse against our opponents this Saturday, Dereham Town, and we failed to put them under pressure from the outset.
Our response to the early set back was pleasing though and we scored a fantastic equaliser. Good approach play freed Jack Eades on the right, his pinpoint cross was met at the near post by Adam Marriott and his header flew into the roof of the net.
We then appeared to receive a slice of luck, although the assistant had the best view and the rest of the ground simply went on a gut instinct. Jack Eades looked offside as the ball was played back into the box from a partially cleared corner but nonetheless, he capitalised on the chance with great feet to go round the keeper and coolness in slotting the ball into the empty net from a tight angle. Now that we were moving the ball quickly and early, the opposition was being made to look statuesque. We failed to release the ball at the right moment on several occasions to pick out runners or failed to find a player in the box with our final ball from wide areas but it was certainly encouraging for the second half.
The visitors, obviously concerned at our pace, defended much deeper in the second half and therefore we needed to be more patient in our build up play to move them about and create holes to exploit. Their two big centre halves liked nothing more than heading balls shelled into the box and nothing worse than being dragged out and exposed down the sides. However, our lack of experience took its toll as we huffed and puffed but lacked the wit, intelligence and quality to blow their house down!
If we had showed one moment of quality in the final third during that 35 minute spell, the game would have been ours as Wisbech were out on their feet. However, we could not apply the killer blow. The lack of maturity in our team was probably the biggest reason so, as the goal didn't come, we started to become anxious and forced passes that weren't on, taking too many touches and making poor runs in the box. Our thought process went out of the window. In addition, our very inexperienced forward line did not link with our midfield or show the ability to compete with their physically more dominant players. Therefore, despite eighteen good possessions in the final third from wide areas, their goalkeeper was not forced into a single noteworthy save.
Despite the fact that we were looking comfortable, you could sense that Wisbech were gaining belief from still being in the game and our failure to score the pivotal fourth goal of the game was compounded with their equaliser seven minutes from time. It could have been worse as a quick break in the last minute ended with a far post header crashing against our crossbar.
Now to a really tough game against Dereham, one of the best footballing sides in this league, so it should at least be a fixture worthy of the magnificent playing surface produced by Ian and Mick. Then many of these players will hope to feature in our FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round tie against Felixstowe & Walton on Wednesday 24th September, 7.45pm ko.
Team: Mace, Bowe, Parkinson, Hudson, Carr, Ives, Eades, Berry, Davey (Yambasu 70), Marriott (Bailey 20), Patrick
Jez George
Head of Youth Development
