In a match that was billed as a training session for Cavalier, against a youthful team of newcomers to the league, it turned out to be a very closely fought match, in good spirits by both teams.
Roger Wiltshire had a selection dilemma 10 minutes before kick-off, when 4 players failed to show up. Luckily the debuting Tebb brothers turned up just in time, giving Cavalier 12 players. Graham Stickley also made his debut, after impressing at training. This match also gave Wiltshire the opportunity to see which players were committed for the future, and who wouldn't be worth signing on next year.
Cannings Rangers started the brighter, scoring after 30 seconds on the break. Cavalier soon equalised after a corner from Dan Rance fell to the feet of impressive defender Guy Perritt, whos snap shot found the back of the net via a slight deflection. This seemed to knock the wind out of the sails of the young opponents, and Dan Race soon capitalized, making a great run down the right wing, before curling an effort into the far top corner.
Mike Land then grabbed a goal from range, with a shot that the 'keeper could've possibly done more to keep out.
By this point the match seemed destined to be going one way, but Cavalier were always cautious about their habit of self-destructing in the 2nd half of games.
Jez Wiltshire then added a 4th for Cavalier, firing in a 30 yard curler into the top corner, leaving the 'keeper completely flat-footed.
Cannings Rangers then got a goal back through veteran striker Paul Revening, cutting inside from the right and curling one past the helpless Marcus Rossi in goal.
What happened next was unexpected by many, and is sure to shake the very foundations of Sunday League football for many years to come... Mark Torr scored a goal. A good team move by Cavalier resulted in Jay Bowers, who was having a frustrating game infront of goal, unselfishly squaring the ball to Torr, who had the simplist of tap-ins at the back post. It will come as a boost for Wiltshire, as only 2 days prior to this, Torr was all set on hanging up his boots, but this awesome display by the pacey front man has seemed to reinvigorate him, and is looking likely to carry on for one more season in the lime green strip of Cavalier FC.
HALF TIME: 5-2.
Roger Wiltshire brought himself on for the 2nd half for a light jog, hoping it will help his recovery of a recurring foot injury, and it wasn't long after his came on that he nearly joined in on the scoring, hitting the bar from 30 yards.
Cannings Rangers then pulled another goal back after poor defending from Cavalier allowed the young striker to get through on goal and slot the ball under Rossi for 5-3.
Dan Rance then got his 2nd of the game with a good finish from the right, before Rangers then pulled another goal back again.
The game was much more open in the 2nd half as Rangers were coming back into it, but it was Cavalier and Dan Rance who killed the game off, with a shot that nearly broke the net, to make the score 7-4, and round off a good personal performance with a hat-trick.
A deflected shot off Guy Perritt bounced in at the near post away from the dispairing glove of Marcus Rossi, who had just previously made an amazing 1-on-1 save, and made the final score 7-5.
Overall, a good team performance, despite being let down by Delvin again (named and shamed), and Liam, who is normally reliable. A good chance to see the ability of the 3 debuting players, and an opportunity to see which people are going to be committed and worthwhile signing on next season.
FULL TIME: 7-5.
