CRFC entertained AFC Vesey on Saturday 4th October in a clash that would show the title credentials of both sides. AFC Vesey started the game ahead of the Rangers in the table but Coldfield were determined to put down a marker to the rest of the division.
There was a sharp contrast in styles from the outset, with CRFC playing their best football of the season and frustrating a physical and aggressive Vesey team. There was some squad rotation from the CRFC manager as Steve Bryan and Ruary Smith linked up at centre back for the first time this season, Aaron Timmis came in for Luke Hatfield in goal, Adam Read was switched to the right wing, and James Sheerin and Darryl Higgins started up front.
Coldfield looked solid from the first minute and the excellent shape, passing and intelligence in their play meant that Vesey only registered one shot on target in the whole first period. CRFC had already opened Vesey up at the back several times before they took a deserved lead. Some clever defensive play from Bryan and Liam Townsend gave Liam Cullen the ball in the middle of the park, the CRFC skipper swept a beautiful through ball down the left hand channel for Kieran Ceakin to run onto and Deakin's pace and marksmanship saw him burst past two Vesey players before lifting the ball neatly over the advancing keeper.
Coldfield didn't take very long to strengthen their advantage and put a second goal past the visiting keeper. Neat play on the right hand side between Read, Wilcox and Daniel Neil allowed Wilcox with the space to thread a tidy ball into Sheerin who controlled neatly before belting the ball past the goalkeeper with the outside of his foot. 2-0 to Coldfield and the hosts were in control of the game.
CRFC's backline looked strong and organised and all four defenders had very good games, holding a good defensive line, playing the ball out from the back and allowing Timmis to sweep up any long balls with ease. This organisation meant that the midfield and strikers could focus on creating chances and CRFC went close half a dozen more times before the break. Higgins' pace and Sheerin's physical work rate were creating havoc in the Vesey backline and they became frustrated lashing out at Deakin, Sheerin and Higgins several times in an effort to disrupt CRFC's fluency. Higgins should have had a penalty and then further injustice was served when a Vesey player went unpunished for pushing the CRFC striker in the face whilst he was on the ground. The ref, who had a poor game, completely lost control of this situation and unfairly awarded only Higgins a caution.
CRFC started the second half in a simliar fashion despite Vesey putting an extra man in midfield to gain a foothold in the match. Rangers scored a deserved third soon after the interval when Wilcox swept in a beautiful ball for Read to turn smartly and give the scoreline a more realistic feel. 3-0 to Coldfield and the hosts were cruising to a resounding victory. However, soon after that, some poor refereeing and frustration from Higgins led to his second yellow card and CRFC were down to ten men with over half an hour left.
Vesey sensed an opportunity to exert pressure on the ten men and lumped balls forward to try to put the CRFC defence under the spotlight. CRFC still managed to play good football on the counterattack and nearly added to their lead several times. However, Vesey pinched a goal against the run of play with a header from a corner.
CRFC manager looked to tighten up the midfield, and put Jon McNamee on for Wilcox, with Read moving up front and Sheerin being replaced by Ashley Chapman on the right. The introduction of the two substitutes saw CRFC having the bulk of the possession and forced their oppnents to chase the game. Vesey scored a good free kick but despite some nervy times for the CRFC lads, the hosts showed grit, spirit and determination to hang on and make it three wins out of three.
