CCK FC were left searching for four leaved clovers and horseshoes after they were edged out 2-1 by Brighton North End. The woodwork was struck no fewer than three times and goal line blocks also frustrated the Badgers.
CCK’s first game of the New Year exposed some rather rusty touches and misplaced passes in the opening stages of the match. North End didn’t suffer with the same problem and they deservedly took the lead when Josh Harmer was allowed the time and space to fire a long range drive into the bottom left corner of Jacob Fortescue’s goal. This seemingly did little to wake up the sleeping Badgers who were second to every ball, sometimes third. Jacob Fortescue was forced into a fantastic save as North End dominated possession without creating too many goal-scoring opportunities. It took until the 26th minute for them to fashion a chance. Mike Spence pumped a free kick forward towards Mike Morrison. The tall midfielder rose highest to flick the ball on from just outside the box. Dave Jones was first to react and his guided volley from just inside the area found the top right corner of the net. The goal changed the game and CCK found their rhythm. The midfield started to dominate with neat passing between Dan Harnden, Dave Sewell, Mike Morrison, and Ben Tucker. This led to some nasty challenges from North End players and subsequently three yellow cards. This didn’t stop CCK from creating. Matt Vitty was played through by Dave Jones and his shot was saved well by the North End keeper. The keeper again thwarted Vitty when the two attacking players combined again. Jones’ header fell to Vitty whose trickery was divine as he fashioned an opening, only for the keeper to somehow keep the ball out from point blank range. Mike Morrison then saw his shot saved low to the keepers left. Morrison was then heavily involved in a good old fashioned goalmouth scramble, first his shot struck the bar, before having another effort cleared off the line as pressure grew. Matt Vitty’s cross-shot also struck the bar and Ben Tucker had an effort well saved. It was one way traffic as Tim Rose’s boys didn’t want the first half to end.
The half time break seemed to relax the North End players who seemed rejuvenated after the break. They were largely second best during the half, but they did put together some decent spells of football, in contrast to the first half demise. Mike Morrison hit the post with a decent strike from the edge of the area as CCK continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the chances. Dave Jones had a shot blocked, and Ben Tucker saw his effort saved. As time and chances elapsed a worrying feeling amongst the CCK fans developed, and their fears of a smash and grab became reality when a free kick was swung into the Badgers area. Jacob Fortescue came to clear the danger, only for Jamie Bevan to beat the keeper to the ball and nod into the unguarded net. It was a blow to the yellows who struggled to recover. They continued to play decent football as they searched for a response. At the other end the sky blues looked to counter attack, and if the defence of Tim Rose, Mike Spence, Jonny Cassell, and Doug Reid had not been alert to the threat, North End could have added insult to injury. Tim Rose came off for the attacking Josh Rumble-Brown who impressed on his debut on the left wing. Some neat touches and crosses posed some threat. The final pass and finishing touch was missing as several dangerous balls into the corridors of uncertainty were left without a finish as North End managed to see out the game.
Manager Tim Rose was bemused as to how CCK had lost the match when he spoke with reporters after the game, “It’s gutting really to have lost the game especially considering we created so many chances. The players must not have been wearing their lucky pants because the amount of times we hit the woodwork and had efforts cleared off the line almost had me laughing, if I had not been crying I might have been.” Captain Dave Sewell was philosophical about the game when he spoke with FourFourTwo magazine, “Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth.” Sewell was asked to explain his bizarre Eric Cantona-esq comment, “Well we played some amazing football, but we missed our chances, the score line was an illusion, and we lost. But we know why and we will come back wiser for it. The way we have been cutting defences open and playing beautiful football gives us the confidence that we can continue to be a force in this league.” CCK’s training sessions may focus on finishing this week as they hope to turn their good football into good goals in the games ahead.
