CCK had to settle for just one in the relegation “6-pointer” against Southern Rangers Old Boys at Victoria Park. Neither team could overcome the other or the horrendous pitch to get even a goal as the match ended 0-0.
It was probably a fair result in a game where chances were few and slick passing was none existent. The Badgers failed to hold the ball for any length of time especially in the first half and were on the back foot for most of the game. But their defence was just strong enough and, with a little help from the woodwork (no less than three times), managed to pull off their first clean sheet in the league all season.On a pitch that somehow managed to contain every bad feature possible; boggy, bumpy and, in some places, frozen, it was never going to be a pretty game, but it was Rangers who settled first and had much of the early possession. A couple of times they manage to slip a ball through the defensive line but goalkeeper Paul Muzzall was on hand on each occasion to cut out the chance.
The scrappy nature of the game meant CCK were unable to get the ball forward with any meaningful intent, strikers Virgo and Carvel as well as the wide players seeing little of the ball. The Badgers almost created a real opening just before half time however when Virgo managed to hold up the ball on the half-way line, turn and spray the ball out to the left with Rangers’ defence at sixes and sevens. As Carvel sprinted clear with only the keeper to beat the referee’s assistant raised his flag for offside and brought upon himself a torrent of abuse from the home fans.
The second half began with a reshuffle of personnel for CCK; Sewell moved into the centre of the midfield, Harnden moved out to the right wing, Fortescue (replacing Edwards) took his usual position at centre back and the injured Preston was replaced by Atherall (who came in a right back, Eneke switching to the left side). The changes did little to alter the course of the game however as the Badgers continued to defend resolutely but fail to get hold of the ball. After riding their luck at times with a few Rangers’ shots striking the post and the bar, CCK did manage to fashion a handful of chances on the counter attack as the game wore on. A Virgo free kick from the left was flicked on by Carvel and Ben Tucker slid in at the back post but his attempt was well off target. Sewell, gradually finding some space in the midfield fed Carvel who shot wide from outside the box and on two occasions Tucker raced free from the Rangers’ left back but failed to trouble the keeper with his shots. As the final whistle blew, Badgers’ fans were disappointed but probably secretly pleased that they had at least managed to secure a point in a season that they haven’t seen many of them. A loss for second from bottom CCK would have seen Old Boys (who are one place above) move four points ahead with a game in hand.
At the halfway point, just one win in ten can certainly regarded as relegation form for the Badgers and a turnaround is definitely necessary if the fans are going to be supporting a Premier League team next season. Fortunately for the Badgers bottom side Ovingdean were beaten at home by Portslade 2-0 and face top of the table Brighton North End next week. When questioned about CCK’s precarious league position manager Tim Rose preferred to focus on the team’s match day performance. “Today was a building block for us. We’re a team with big aspirations, of course we want to be winning every game and that’s something that the fans want to see as much as we do, but at this stage we have to be realistic. A clean sheet and a point is a step in the right direction. I was pleased with the performance today, they asked us a lot of questions and we dug in and held them out, it was a great defensive display.” Asked whether the absence of Michael Morrison for 3 weeks is a blow that CCK won’t be able to recover from, Rose was quick to respond, “CCK is not a one man team. It never has been. We have a great squad and I am confident that whoever I put out on a Saturday, we’ll have enough quality to win the game.” Tough tackling defender Doug Reid commended the fans support despite the difficult times, “The fans are great. You know, really, really great. It’s been difficult, you know, stuff in the papers, stuff on TV about the club, the management, whatever. A lot of people been saying a lot of stuff that ain’t good about us. But when we get on that pitch and they’re cheering us on every week, you just give everything you got because you just want to, you know?”
