By Tim Rose
So here we are again at the start of another season. It started like any other season, hot summers day, the usual last minute signings and a number of players away on international duty. However, there was one significant change, in that CCKFC had now spread it's wings and expanded to now include a second team who were simultaneously kicking off this afternoon, of which 3 of their players were mid week called up to the first team.
On paper this looked like a relegation tustle from last seasons positions but as the teams lined up there was an optimism that perhaps had been missing in seasons past and the CCK boys were feeling like a win was on the cards. The opening exchanges did not disappoint with an early amount of pressure from CCK leading to a slightly unexpected goal. Morrison, with his shiny new copa mundials, roasted the Ovingdean left back, threw up a cross which Van Nes challenged for with the keeper which then fell nicely for him to stick in the back of the net! 1-0 CCK. Calls to "keep it tight" and "we've got a long way to go" could be heard by our heavy support on the sidelines who were in for a superb 45 minutes of football. With quarter of an hour played Tucker found himself in a heap just inside the Ovingdean half after a heavy tackle. With the box loaded with CCK players Rose floated a pearl of a ball to the penalty spot area where Joyce rose like a salmon to power head the ball past the helpless keeper into the net. CCK were in no mood to ease up and kept pressing for a third before half time which came along in the 36th minute. Morrison again picking the ball up in midfield played a delightful through ball for the on-running Powell who, took a touch & composed himself before lacing the ball past the onrushing keeper at his far post. The newly formed back four of Reid, Sewell, Shotton & Eneke did a fantastic job of restricting Ovingdean's chances to a few off target pop shots, allowing Woodward in goal to only worry about kicking straight, his superstitious run to the half way line & seeing out the first half.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the end of the first with Ovingdean creating few chances but gaining a bit of possession & a small foot hold. However after 10 minutes their heads dropped again as the hard working Reid collected the ball in defence, strode forward past a couple of players & played in Morrison with a defence splitting lofted pass. The silky midfielder then flew up to the byline before crossing for Van Nes at the back post to (what looked like) a nod in past the keeper. However the video replays indicate that the header was missed and it actually bounced in off his shin?!
Ovingdean then found themselves gaining a good advantage pushing the CCK midfield & defence further & further back. The only thing that kept the score line to nil was an especially impressive performance from CCK goalkeeper Woodward. Of his many saves one worth noting was a cross from the right, the defence a bit a drift from the ball in, left the Ovingdean number 10 with just the keeper to beat, he connected well, sent the ball towards the top corner, however the oncoming Woodward in what can only be described as 'the schmeichel' star position, managed to get an outstretched hand to it and tip it wide for a corner. They did nick a goal after 70 mins from a corner which required goal line technology as Rose thought he had cleared he ball off the line, although the ref was having none of it. Subs were made, Casell on for Tucker and Edwards on for Van Nes, before Joyce went off injured leaving CCK down to 10 men with 10 to go. This left CCK under immense pressure which yielded a goal for Ovingdean before a final whistle that sealed a fantastic victory for CCK on the first day of the season, a feat not seen for many a year!
Manager Tim Rose spoke with reporters after the game saying 'this was an important win for us today as it sets us up for the season'. He went on to say that 'although it was a good performance there are still things to work on, fitness, set pieces & certain set plays, but overall I am delighted with how the team has started'. Club captain Dave Sewell echoed his managers sentiments saying 'we did struggle towards the end but we have phenomenal team spirit and ethos which showed as we all dug deep having played some outstanding football in the first half. Manager Rose when asked about any further new signings said 'there are still a few irons in the fire & players we are keen to bring in which will hopefully only be a matter of time', when asked about the availability of man of the match Woodward he replied 'we are working hard on a contract to allow him to play week in week out, the player is keen it's just a case of getting it on paper'.
