On a blustery Sunday morning at Cayton playing fields, the Commercial looked to continue their fine run of form that had gained them 7 out of 9 points from their first three games.
The team was much changed from the team that had crushed The Alma the previous week, with Ash Buck galavanting in Germany, Nick Palmer away and Richard Jackson and Tim Boorer slinged and hobbling on the touchline due to injuries. In came Stuart 'Coach' Mawer at left back, Matty 'Own goal' Moorhouse, Darren 'veteran' Howes and Sven 'Stephen' Barker!!!
The game started very slowly with Cayton timewasting due them waiting for their 11th man to appear. The wind was no help either gusting accross the pitch, alienating the Commercial left side early on.
Unfortunately the Commercial never got going in this game, with no clear cut opportunities, despite the best efforts of Mike Clark and Jamie Fowler on the wings to assist Pete and Sven up front.
With no real spark, the team were struggling with the wind and the ability to pass eluding them chances were few and far between in the first half. Pete being inches away from connecting with Clark's crosses on a couple of occassions and Jamie getting tripped as he was about to pull the trigger being the main talking points. This roving reporter was a frustrated forlorn figure on the sidelines as no picture opportunities arose!!
Despite the lack of the previos weeks' attacking prowess, at this stage the defense never ever looked like conceding with Stu Mawer and Matty Moorhouse slotting in seamlessly, with Olly Barron commanding and Adam Thickett continuing his fine early season form, there was certainly a platform to build on in the second half. Stu Lincoln and Daz Howes as always solid and hard-working in the centre of midfield.
Half time came and went with words of wisdom from the manager just to continue and the goal would come, when early in the second half, disaster struck.
Olly Barron had started a move from his own half and exchanged a few passes and, despite getting a nosebleed, found himslef the furthest man forward. As the ball got knocked accross to him, he controlled and swivelled to take the first clear shot of the morning, at the keeper. Unfortunately the shot was straight at the keeper who parried, the good news, straight to Stu Lincoln, the bad news, Stu Lincoln was bundled over, unfairly. The referee's position meant he could not see the clear barge in Lincoln's back and let play go on. As Cayton counter attacked, the ball came in from the right. Their attacker connected first and as the ball span and bounced it evaded the new keeper Rooke. As he got a hand to it, he could do nothing but help the ball into the back of the net.
As the Commercial missed that spark, the comeback struggled to get going. Whilst not looking like conceding, they didn't really look like equalising either as their usually energetic and productive forward play missing.
As Mike Clark did his best to ignite the situation, he had a good one-two on the edge of the box and curled his effort agonisingly onto the outside of the post and out for a goal kick.
As Geoff looked to change the formation, tragedy struck. Another move down the right and a cross in caused havoc in the Commercial defense, ending in Matt Mourhouse scoring a wonderful back-heeled own goal. (Maybe not quite back-heeled but thats the story and thats what we're sticking with!!)
After this, the formation was changed to a 3-4-3 but unfortunately it was unsuccessful as the display was lacking. As the clock wound down, Clark had a shot just over the bar and there were other promising situations didn't quite materialise.
As the final whistle approached another counter attack ended in the 3-0 scoreline.
Whilst agreed that the team certainly didn't play anywhere near their best, it was classed, hopefully rightly so, as 'one of those games' where it didn't quite work out and they will look forward to next weeks cup game against Ayton.
Mike Clark was voted as man of the match by a near unanimous decision as he was the only one that looked liked unlocking the defense.
Game over, move on - BRING ON AYTON!!
