After a short break following the disappointing 2013/14 season, Roger Wiltshire arranged a friendly with new team Cannings Rangers to follow up on their previous encounter a month earlier, in which Cavalier ran out 7-5 winners. Cavalier again scored 7 goals this time around, but only conceded 2 goals, coming in the 2nd half.
Wiltshire gave official debuts to 5 players. Lee Whyte - a technically gifted attacker, playing his first competitive match in nearly 10 years, Ricky Stonham - a right midfielder who had a successful season last year with Crossblades, Taylor Ellicock - a young winger hungry for a taste of adult's football, Ashley Day - an experienced no-nonsense defender, and Rob Randall - who had been impressive in training.
These players seemed to fit into the shape of the team very quickly, with Cavalier taking a 3-0 lead inside 12 minutes. The first goal came when constant pressure down the left wing from Dan Rance caused the Cannings defender to lose the ball. Rance then powered through on goal, and coolly found the far corner with a curling effort.
The 2nd goal came after a perfect corner to the back post by Liam McEniry found Carl Ledbury, who lept highest to power the ball home.
Cavalier's 3rd came in a way that is unfamiliar to Cavalier. In only the 4th time in their history, Cavalier won a penalty. This came when the onrushing 'keeper took out Stonham, giving referee Luke Rudman no option other than to point to the spot. Lee Whyte marked his debut with a goal, calmly slotted the ball under the 'keeper for 3-0.
Antony Butler then claimed his 1st goal of the new season. Great work down the right from Whyte and Stonham resulted in Whyte crossing low into the box. His pinpoint pass fell to the feet of the unmarked Butler. Who outrageously backheeled the ball into the bottom corner, to the delight of the travelling fans.
At this point, Cannings Rangers were getting visibly frustrated, being outmatched all over the pitch, not least in the centre of the pitch, where Jez Wiltshire was dominated the possession, rarely giving the ball away.
It wasn't long before 4-0 become 5-0. Carl Ledbury picked the ball up 40 yards out, and unleashed a powerful drive with his weaker right foot, completely bamboozling the 'keper before finding the top corner.
There was one more goal before half time. Ledbury managed to skin several players down the left wing, before cutting inside for a fierce strike, which accidentally hit Butler on the ass, deflecting in. Nobody is really sure whether Carl's shot was going in or not anyway, so the goal was given to Butler.
HALF TIME: 0-6.
At half time, Wiltshire gave James Thomas - a striker returning to the sport after a lengthy layoff, his season debut, coming on for Lee Whyte. Rob Randall came on for his first appearance for the club, replacing Taylor Ellicock, who had a great debut, showing he can hang with the big boys. The experienced number 13 Mark Torr also came on to strengthen the midfield, replacing Antony Butler, who had arguably his best game in the Cavalier colours to date.
The 2nd half was a closer affair, maybe due to Roger Wiltshire experimenting more with different players and positions.
On the 59th minute, the unthinkable happened, when Paul Revening came back to haunt his old team for the 2nd time in 2 games, poking the ball past Marcus Rossi, who had been having a great game, albeit a quiet game.
The game was a stalemate until the 78th minute, when Jez Wiltshire scored Cavalier's 1st goal of the 2nd half, with a trademark long range strike, which the 'keeper could've possibly done more to keep out.
Dan Rance nearly capped off a mature performance with a rare header, but unfortunately for him, it was ruled out for offside.
Cannings Rangers then pulled another goal back late on, but it was no more than a mere consolation for the new side joining the league, as all the focus after the game is on Cavalier FC and how positive things seem to be going for the team that finished last season rock bottom of Division 4.
Roger Wiltshire caught up with the press after the game and said 'I was very impressed with all the new players today. I just hope they can make a commitment to this team, and we will have absolutely no problem winning games next season.'
To add to more good news for Cavalier FC, former potterne striker Steven House has pretty much guaranteed his services to the club for next season - an announcement that is sure to excite both fans and players alike.
