CCK were once again left to pay for their Jekyll and Hyde personality. Another first half to forget left them 2-0 down. Despite a much improved second half the Badgers were defeated 2-1 by Ampito, who now top the league.
There was much hype in the city of Brighton heading into this match between former rivals, CCK and Ampito. Having locked horns with CCK in league and cup down the years, Ampito recently joined the elite of the Brighton and District league and in doing so re-discovered the rivalry. The game started with CCK strangely fielding players out of position. Unavailability and illness had struck the Badgers who started with Jacob Fortescue in goal, Ben Eneke at left back, and Tim Rose at centre back. All three players are more accustomed to different positions. The lack of familiarity showed in the early stages as Ampito dominated and seemed to spring wave after wave of attack on the CCK goal. If not for some good defending from Dan Shotton, and some brave goalkeeping from the impressive Jacob Fortescue, Ampito could have run up a cricket score. As it happens Ampito took an early lead from a set piece and after a couple of decent saves from Fortescue they doubled that lead after a communication breakdown that led to a one on one situation. The Ampito striker did well to round Fortescue and then tap home. It was only then that CCK started to get their foot on the ball and play. Mike Morrison started threatening the opposition goal with some purposeful runs deep in Ampito territory. CCK started to string passes together and Dan Harnden in particular was getting much joy down the right, and produced some dangerous crosses. Ampito continued to look the more threatening however, and Jacob Fortescue was forced to make a brave save making himself big when a striker bore down on goal. Then Ben Eneke made a great goal line clearance to keep CCK in with a chance. CCK then seemed to calm the storm as Galen Abraham, Tim Rose, Dan Shotton, and Ben Eneke seemed to settle and started to exert more authority on the Ampito attack. At the other end CCK started testing the keeper. Mike Morrison had a long range effort awkwardly tipped round the post. Then a decent move saw Tom Powell play in Dave Jones who narrowly missed the target. Morrison then saw a decent half volley palmed over the bar as the pressure started to mount. On the stroke of half time CCK had a penalty shout turned down, as Dan Shotton was clearly elbowed inside the area by a flailing arm. Instead of pointing to the spot the referee blew the half time whistle to the bemusement of the fans and reporters in the stands.
A change was made at half time with Will Drury replacing Galen Abraham. Drury went in goal, as Jacob Fortescue switched to centre back, and Tim Rose shuffled across to right back. CCK immediately started to take control of the game, and the midfield of Dan Harnden, Dave Atherall, Mike Morrison, and Jonny Cassell passed the ball neatly as they looked to provide chances for Dave Jones and Tommy Powell up front. Set pieces continued to be a weapon for the Badgers as some hairy moments for Ampito occurred in their own box. Mike Morrison’s header which flew inches wide of the post was a prime example of the aerial threat CCK had. The Badgers then grabbed a lifeline. A free kick close to the corner flag down the right was whipped in by Dave Jones, and what looked like a comfortable near post clearance for the Ampito defender was sliced, as the ball found itself in the back of the Ampito net. This seemed to galvanise the troops as players confidence grew and passing moves became far more frequent. Dave Atherall saw an effort from outside the area worry the keeper as it squirmed wide of the post. Then a decent move saw Tom Powell shimmy past a defender before his left foot effort was saved by the keeper. Powell was then to have another attempt at goal thwarted by the keeper. Mike Morrison was also frustrated by a decent goalkeeping performance, as another long range effort was beaten away. Ampito then adopted a containing project as they looked to shut up shop, by time wasting and spoiling. Some tough and reckless tackles broke down CCK’s rhythm and the last quarter of the game was largely uneventful as a result. The only moment of note was Will Drury’s outstanding save, the stopper acted as an annoying third wheel in the ball’s date with the top corner of the net. The final whistle blew to much frustration from the CCK players who clearly felt they could have got something from the game.
Manager Tim Rose believes his side can take some positives from the defeat, “We weren’t at the races in the first half, but showed great heart to dominate the second. We must start well next game and get this stupid habit out of our systems.” Man of the match Jacob Fortescue believes that team not having a consistent team sheet was what cost them, “I didn’t mind playing in goal, and the other players who played out of position did well, but to have a regular side could have made this game very different. Injuries and constantly changing team sheets cost us points last season, and I just hope that we can field our strongest side regularly this season, because on paper we are up there with the best.” CCK have two weeks to put things right before they play against high fliers Portslade Athletic.
