CCK FC were left to pay for a poor first half display, as they were dumped out of the Vernon Wentworth Cup by Bosham Reserves. Despite an encouraging second half fight back, the Badgers fell just short of the four goal deficit they were left chasing by half time.
The late withdrawal of talismanic captain Dave Sewell due to illness looked to have rocked the Badgers players as their first half display was somewhat disappointing. The passing from both sides seemed to be disjointed in the opening stages as a bumpy pitch did little to help the game settle. Once it did, CCK wished it hadn’t. The Bosham players then started to find each other with neat passes and with nippy wingers at their disposal started to get some joy down the channels. Defensively CCK were under pressure from long balls between centre backs and full backs and the red shirts were first to most of these passes. A catalogue of errors led to the first Bosham goal, with a misplaced pass, a failed interception, and then an unfortunate fumble from otherwise impressive Mike Spence culminating with the ball in the back of the net. CCK showed little desire or fight, and frankly didn’t seem like they wanted to keep hold of the football. The football became a metaphorical hot potato as players rushed passes, and more often than not, that led to a surrender of possession. This lack of ball retention then caused a mad period of 3 goals in 5 minutes for the reds. All three were fairly similar with a through ball (varying in length), an untracked run, a distinct lack of communication or cohesion in the backline, and then a neat finish from a quick player in a red shirt. The storm calmed and CCK did then rouse themselves to have a few efforts at goal. A Mike Morrison strike squirmed narrowly wide, and then an Ivan Sambles half volley fizzed over the bar. The half time whistle came with the Badgers staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat.
Whatever was said behind closed doors seemed to do the trick, as CCK emerged a different side. Dan Harnden and Dave Jones had switched positions with Jones moving into the centre, and Harnden moving to his more familiar right side of midfield position. The red shirts could hardly get a touch right from the re-start as the passing massively improved for CCK. Players seemed far more relaxed on the ball, and despite a five man Bosham midfield, the quartet of Dan Harnden, Dave Jones, Mike Morrison, and Ivan Sambles completely dominated and created chances for the attacking players. Josh Van Nes went through on goal, and audaciously rounded the keeper, but couldn’t quite reach the ball to finish off the move. Then from a corner Jacob Fortescue saw his header tipped onto the bar, as pressure built. Then came what seemed like a consolation. A Dave Jones corner turned into a goalmouth scramble as a goa-line melee ended with the ball in the net. TV replays showed that the ball had been hooked against Ivan Sambles face by a Bosham player before finding itself in the net. Badgers fans weren’t getting carried away as celebrations were clearly muted at the sight of the scoreboard. CCK then allowed their fans to at least dream of a classic comeback, when they found the net again. A neat exchange of passes starting deep in their own half led to a Dan Harden cross from the right. The measured delivery was outstanding and the clinical finishing of Tom Powell was once again displayed as his shot from the left defeated the motionless keeper at his far post. CCK continued to apply pressure and a succession of corners put Bosham firmly under the cosh. Rarely will CCK face a side blessed with as much aerial threat than them this season, but against Bosham they were matched, despite this they had to ride their luck to keep the Badgers out. Defensively CCK had massively improved as Tim Rose, Jacob Fortescue, Ben Tucker, and Doug Reid coped well with the rare counter attack from Bosham. In fact the fore mentioned defenders were catalysts for the calm manner by which CCK were passing the ball around. Mike Morrison was finding joy in the pockets of space between midfield and defence and he threatened twice with good shots at goal. Ivan Sambles was replaced by Josh Dalby with just over ten minutes left, and Dalby made some decent runs down the left. A real hope giver was found on 81 minutes when Dave Jones’ corner was met by a bullet header from Mike Morrison. As the ball flew into the net, it became quite clear that the terraces that seemed to have been sparsely populated after the dismal first half were suddenly packed with Badgers fans again. Hope was re-instated and nervous Bosham fans were left chewing their nails. More corners and free kicks followed as CCK poured men forward. Shots from Dave Jones and Mike Morrison failed to grab the elusive equaliser, and with a strange sense of pride CCK were knocked out of the cup at the first hurdle.
Manager Tim Rose was philosophical about his side’s failure to progress, “It would have been nice to have grabbed the equaliser after such a spirited fight back. It wasn’t to be though, and we can only wish Bosham well in the next round.” Rose then went onto say how impressed he was at his sides second half display, “I thought we were dead and buried and heading for humiliation when we were 4 down at half time, but the lads came out and did themselves proud in the second half.” Stand in goalkeeper Mike Spence felt that they were unlucky not to have taken Bosham to extra time, “We created some chances and put them under a lot of pressure in the second half, and were so close to levelling it. Had we got back on terms, we would have had the momentum going into extra time. It wasn’t to be though, and now we must look forward, and try to repeat the second half display in the coming matches.” As the Vernon Wentworth Cup says goodbye to CCK FC, the league awaits for the Badgers who will be hoping to build on some impressive displays so far this season.
