It was a bright Easter Sunday at the Jubilee Field, Rowde for this closely contested Division 3 game between basement side Cavalier FC and Pack Horse Rangers.
With Matthew Cook now at the helm for Cavalier, things were looking up, as everybody turned up on time, and there was a sense of organisation about the team, despite lacking several players as usual. Goalkeeper Bevan was absent from the team, as were defenders Jez Wiltshire and Bates. Fraser Dick, Ricky Alford and Darren Folkard were missing from the midfield leaving us without any real height or ball winners in the middle of the pitch.
Marcus Rossi deputised in goal, as did the ever-improving Liam McEniry at right-back. Nick Harford and Roger Wiltshire took up the unfamiliar roles of centre-backs, with Ledbury back in first team action at left-back. Rance assumed his position of right midfield, Musgrove took up left midfield, and Scott, Smith and Holman made up a 3 man centre midfield. John Stockman came back into the team as a lone striker.
The first half was a very even affair, with both teams seeing lots of the ball, John Stockman should feel guilty for missing several chances, one being a header from 5 yards, which the 'keeper did well to tip over for a corner. A few minutes later he found himself one on one with the 'keeper, but ballooned his effort over the bar trying to bend it in the far corner. Josh Scott then forced a tip over the bar after a long range strike. The always dangerous Ben Butterfield gave Pack Horse the lead slightly against the run of play when he found himself with 5 yards the wrong side of the Cavalier defence. Cavalier showed great character though, and equalised soon after, when Dan Rance pressured the Pack Horse left-back into losing the ball, and fired in from 15 yards. HALF TIME: 1-1.
The second half started the same as the 1st half, with both teams seeing the ball. Will Musgrove, who was having a hard time seeing the ball on the left wing, found himself one on one with the 'keeper, and hit a low strike that somehow squirmed under the 'keepers body and into the net to give the home side the lead and what could be their first points of the season.
What could only be decribed as a tactical error from Cavalier occurred at this point, as Wiltshire and Holman decided to swap positions to see the game out. This spurred the away side on, and soon after they found themselves level, after Butterfield clearly dribbled the ball over the line for a goal-kick, but decided to carry on playing, and tee'd up a team mate for a tap-in. This disheartened Cavalier FC, and several minutes later the game was turned on it's head when Darren Legge made a driving run from midfield, rifling the ball home from 20 yards, bobbling up infront of Marcus Rossi, who had not had to do much until that point.
After this the inevitable happened, as Cavalier fell apart, and Pack Horse wrapped the game up with two late goals on the break, coming from Cavalier corners.
FULL TIME: 2-5.
A great performance from everyone involved, showing good commitment and organisation, makes the game much more enjoyable even in defeat.
New caretaker manager Matt Cook said after the game 'I am proud of my players today, they battled like warriors and put a shift in. I am especially pleased with Nick Harford, who is now in contention for a regular place in the heart of defence'.
