CCK FC recorded back to back Premiership wins for the first time this season by coming back from a goal down to beat Brighton North End 3-1 at The Waterhall. Goals from Ben Tucker, Dave Sewell, and Matt Carvel secured a vital three points in the Badgers quest for safety.
The wind was swirling from east to west in the wind tunnel known as The Waterhall. The advantage was with Brighton North End as the game commenced. The opening stages were dominated by the sky blues who kept the ball neatly and showed the greater determination to win possession in challenges. Despite the good passing and their driven mentality BNE found the CCK defence difficult to penetrate. Mike Preston was getting stuck in, while Jacob Fortescue and Mike Spence were continuing their fine recent form. Brett Joyce at left back proved too quick and strong for the right winger. However, due to the wind the Badgers were camped in their own half for long periods of play with the midfield quartet of Dan Harnden, Tim Rose, Dave Sewell, and Ben Tucker all battling hard to protect the back four. Rob Woodard showed his class when called upon, making some good saves, and showing great concentration and bravery plucking crosses out of the air brilliantly. Eventually the Yellows conceded. A free kick from the left was whipped into the area where a glancing header found the bottom corner of the net. CCK looked to respond and showed some promise on the break with Dave Sewell foraying down the left, twice producing crosses that narrowly eluded CCK players. Dan Harnden similarly ran down the right on several breaks. One Harnden run caused so much trouble that the covering BNE central midfielder cynically scythed him down earning a yellow card. It looked like the Badgers would find an equaliser when Dave Jones and Matt Carvel combined well. Several one-two’s created openings for both players; however, the keeper was equal to the attempts. Jones had another strike at goal from inside the area, but was unable to direct the ball underneath the crossbar. Tim Rose had a similar effort from the edge of the area narrowly miss the target. To keep BNE to a 1-0 lead at half time considering the wind, was not a bad return for the Badgers.
CCK were immediately on the front foot in the second half, playing the ball around neatly and finding great joy going forward. Matt Carvel and Dave Jones were frequently picked out and linked the play well. The travelling fans weren’t forced to wait long for an equaliser. Dave Jones and Dan Harnden combined well down the right, before Harnden crossed the ball dangerously into the area. Dave Sewell then flicked the ball on and Ben Tucker raced in at the back post to fire home with his left foot. The flame of belief had re-ignited within, and CCK started to take control of the game. Dave Sewell met a whipped corner with his foot but couldn’t keep his effort down. Sewell would find his goal moments later. A long free kick was pumped forward by Mike Spence only for the under pressure keeper to fumble. Matt Carvel retrieved the ball on the by-line and hooked it goal wards. Dave Sewell had anticipated the pass brilliantly and was first to react, chesting the ball into the empty net. The fans went wild as CCK’s talismanic captain grabbed his first goal of the season, while steering his side towards a crucial three points. Brighton North End refused to give up the fight and poured forward in hope of salvaging a result. The CCK defence stood firm, fantastic blocks, tackles, and interceptions thwarted BNE’s advances, with Mike Spence in particular showing his mean streak. Rob Woodward continued to show great aerial dominance. Several shots missed the target and others seemed comfortable for the impressive keeper. Then came a heart in mouth moment for the Badgers' faithful. Woodward was adjudged to have tripped a BNE striker and a penalty was awarded. The referee’s decision was vindicated by television replays. The taker was taking the penalty with great pressure. Score and BNE could have carried enough momentum to grab a winner, miss and the sky blues title challenge was all but over. The latter happened, as the taker dragged his effort wide of the post. Heads dropped and fatigue set in for BNE. CCK looked to add fresh legs to their side, Galen Abraham replaced Brett Joyce. Then minutes later, Tim Virgo came on for Tim Rose. It was Virgo who made an instant impact. He ran down the right and with a three on one situation clipped the ball delicately to the back post. Matt Carvel then squared the ball to Dave Jones whose poked effort was blocked on the line. The defender who blocked the effort then tried to advance with the ball, however, Jones then managed to tackle the player with the ball finding Carvel. Eventually both sets of supporters were put out of their misery as Carvel found the bottom right corner. A Romford Reject-esque goalmouth scramble ending in a goal secured the victory for CCK who have now taken 6 points from 6 in the last two games, boosting their hopes of survival.
Tim Rose could barely catch his breath during the post-match press conference. He did manage to express his delight eventually, “They were top of the league, amazing, the boys worked so hard for it, fully deserved it. There is still a long way to go on the road to safety but we’ll take each game at a time and see where we end up, our season starts now.” Club Captain Dave Sewell was delighted with his first goal, and even more delighted with the team performance, “It was great to finally hit the back of the old onion bag. What a result for the team though, it was a real game of two halves and in the end it came down to who wanted it more. Every player in a yellow shirt gave 110%. Long may this run continue.” Sewell was then asked by Sky Sports News to hand the man of the match champagne to Mike Spence. The CCK captain heaped praise on the centre back, “He was quality today, and gave a 110%. He’s an example to all the young kids who want to make it at this level. First on the training ground, and the last off it. He was solid today, and he’s also got great feet for a big man.” Mike Spence believes his side has the momentum in the battle for Premiership safety, “We went out today and just played our game. The first half was tough but we stuck at it and came out a different side in the second half. We can now build on this and grab some momentum going into the last few games of the season. Every game and every point is now vital; every game is now a cup final to us.” CCK’s next cup final is at home in a re-match against Brighton North End.
