A spirited comeback failed to earn CCK a place in the next round of the Vernon Wentworth Cup as they crashed out to Littlehampton Reserves. A 119th minute winner left the Badgers with a sour taste in their mouths having overcome a 3 goal deficit and taken the lead in extra time. But they couldn’t see out the remaining minutes and Littlehampton will feel mighty relieved to come away with the win.
Buckingham Park was the alternate venue for the game, Wish Park being a washout, and it looked like the fans were in for a classic cup encounter; both sides set to attack straight from the kickoff. It was the men in white who drew first blood however. A long range strike put Littlehampton in front and the lead was doubled not too long after. The Badgers’ forays into the opposition’s box were less successful, Van Nes looking lively up front but couldn’t carve out any clear-cut chances.As the half-time whistle blew CCK trudged into the dressing room disappointed but not discouraged as the 2 nil score-line belied their good possession and numerous spells of attractive passing football.
Unfortunately the team-talk didn’t immediately produce the desired effect and Littlehampton extended the lead to 3 only a few minutes after the break.CCK’s never give up attitude was rewarded soon after however, a Mike Spence throw-in was flicked on by Michael Morrison in the box and the prolific Van Nes scrambled the ball home at the far post.The goal fired CCK into attacking action. An inspired Morrison began to establish his authority in the middle of the park and soon the scores were level. Fans favourite Morrison staked a claim for goal of the season on the 57 minute, taking on 4 players before rifling in a shot from the edge of the box.He then converted a penalty minutes later after Carvel’s turn and shot struck Littlehampton’s left back on the arm. There was little doubt in the referee’s mind and Morrison followed up with equal resolve making the seemingly impossible now a reality, the scoreboard reading 3-3.
The Badgers’ fans had more to celebrate in extra-time when Van Nes broke free from his marker and slid the ball past the rushing keeper to take CCK into the lead for the first time. It was route one stuff from CCK; David Sewell pumped a long ball forward for the pacey striker to latch onto, and with the composure that has taken him to 8 goals in 7 games now, he made no mistake.Unfortunately the home side failed to hold onto their lead. A whipped in corner was headed in by Littlehampton’s central midfielder and as the game enter the last 15 minutes the tie was on a knife edge; 4-4.
It looked like CCK were the more likely to snatch the winner when Littlehampton’s right back lashed out at Fortescue as he stumbled over the ball in the centre of the field. The nasty kick gave the referee no option but to produce the red card. But as both managers were noting down their penalty takers, with just seconds to go, 10-man Littlehampton broke down the right side and a low cross was poked home by their ever busy striker. The final whistle blew before the Badgers had time to reply and their dreams of cup glory ended as the rain began to fall in Shoreham. Final score, CCK 4, Littlehampton 5.
CCK’s manager Tim Rose had nothing but praise for his players at the end of the game however, “To come back from 3 nil down against a side like this, we’ve got no reason to come off the pitch without our heads held high. Yes we’re disappointed but the boys showed both class and character today and I can’t fault them for that. We just need to show that extra bit of quality to close out the game, especially at home, but I’ve got no doubt we have it in us.” Man of the match Morrison was similarly disappointed but not dejected, “To lose in the manner that we did is always frustrating, it feels the same as it did last year when we lost 7-5 to them. We’ve got to focus on the league now and picking up some points, everyone knows the league is our priority so we’re just looking forward to next week against Brighton Electricity.” An emotional David Sewell declined to comment after the game. However, angry cries of frustration were heard from the home dressing room which sources attribute to the CCK captain.
