On paper the game at Sands Lane, Rowde between bottom of the table Cavalier and leaders Corsham Park Rangers should have been a stroll in the winter sunshine for Tim Spear’s men, especially as Cavalier manager Andy Holman was dealt a massive blow when 6 of the starting 11 backed out of the game due to injuries/illness at the last minute. However, that’s not how things turned out as although Corsham won they had to work hard for their 4-1 win.
Rangers had loads of chances but were wasteful in front of goal, firing over or wide of the target when they really should have scored. However when they did manage to get their sights focused they found the Cavalier defence and goal keeper Roger Wiltshire on top form. It took until the 23rd minute before back line was finally breached and then it took a fantastic goal from Kent Kauppinen to open the scoring. A ball from defence was pick up by Jack Forester who chipped it over Kauppinen who turned and struck a sublime mid air volley from 25 yards out.
Three minutes later, Corsham were two goals up, centre back Andy Holman lost possession on the half way line, and an acute through ball into the space left by Holman was picked up by Matthew Spear who ran through and slipped ball beyond the advancing Wiltshire for 2-0.
The second half started brightly for Cavalier and within six minutes got themselves back into the game, Corsham’s Simon Young was caught on ball just outside the penalty area by Dan Rance and a pinpoint cross was met by the debutant George Webber who had a simple header to reduce the arrears. Cavalier’s joy lasted just two minutes, Joe Forester got on the end of an Adam Wood cross to fire Corsham into a 3-1 lead.
Dan Rance then had the chance to reduce the deficit when he found himself unmarked at the back post, but took an air shot from 6 yards out with the goal gaping.
Stand in 'keeper Wiltshire, who was facing an onslaught of attempts on goal, kept the match within sights getting down low to superbly push a rasping long range drive onto the post at the hour mark.
The game was finally wrapped up by Owen Bryan who had missed loads of chances finally found the back of net in the 79th minute when he picked the ball up, ran on and calmly beating a host of defenders before sliding the ball under the keeper and into the net to make final score 4-1.
Despite the loss, and still being rooted to the bottom of the league on 0 points, Cavalier FC take more positives from the game, including the fringe players proving yet again that when called upon, they do the team proud and put the workrate in.
