21/09/2013 – Rayleigh Baptist vs Central Baptist Church
Tensions were high for the first game of the 2013-2014 Chelmsford Churches and District league. After displaying remarkable improvements towards the end of last season and working hard throughout a summer full of cross country and Xavi/Iniesta drills, Central Baptist Church came into their opening away tie with Rayleigh Baptist confident of getting a result.
Starting with the ever-impressing 3-5-2 system, Central Baptist controlled the game throughout the first half. Duncan, Sean and Jamie in particular showed great composure and teamwork in the centre midfield, allowing CBC to control the ball high up the pitch and forcing the uncertain Rayleigh to make mistakes. This early pressure culminated in a goal from a trademark whipped freekick from Jamie Parrish, beating the (rather stationary) goalkeeper all ends up. This only served to relax the visiting team, and due to hard work across the defensive line and the 2 wingbacks (Josh’s Glennie and Hills), frustrate the opposition.. This continued right up until halftime, even after forced substitutions to Chris Nash (rolled ankle) and Michael Rowlands (ball to the nuts) caused a rejigging of the back line.
Halftime: CBCFC 1 – 0 Rayleigh Baptist
After slugging down weak orange juice and hearing some motivational words from captain Andrew Rowlands, CBC started where they left off in the second half with a pure strikers goal from Neil Parrish, who had looked threatening and been a constant thorn in the side of Rayleigh defenders all game. A rejuvenated Tim played a vital role linking Neil with Jamie and Sean, and showed no signs of the injuries that plagued his season last year, as CBC swept forward looking dangerous on every oppourtunity.
2 goals down, Rayleigh attempted a comeback and poured on the pressure, but with no joy after stops from David Rowlands frustrated enemy strikers time after time. However, a slice of luck and a defensive slip up later, and Rayleigh were level. Their number 9 (Rayleigh’s main outlet and most threatening player of the day) managed to get a toe on a bouncing ball, enabling it to slowly arc over David’s outstretched hand for their first. This was quickly followed up by a rare lapse in concentration at the back leading to a headed tap in to put the home team level and complete the comeback.
CBCFC fans and supporters feared the worst, but the spirit and self-assurance of this new look CBCFC outfit really shone through. Exhaustable work rate and crunching tackles from Adam Smith, Josh Glennie and Duncan Harris helped fire up the team, who got their rewards for their hard work when Neil Parrish deservedly doubled his tally with 15 minutes to go. Great energy and fight from subs R. Bellow and Alex Neil-Grimshaw added an added attacking threat, before Duncan put the icing on the cake with a well guided header into the far corner to complete a famous victory for CBCFC late in the second half.
Fulltime: CBCFC 4 - 2 Rayleigh Baptist
1 Game Played, 1 Win, an unbeaten start! What shone through from the match this weekend was not only the increased fitness throughout the squad (not one person looked ready to give up by FT), but the patience and control of the ball all over the pitch. Greatest result in CBCFC history? Who knows, all I know is onwards and upwards boys!
