When you have an unbeaten record there is only one thing that can eventually happen, you lose it! Cringleford ensured that their unbeaten run, stretching back to the start of November remained intact, whereas Taverham's unbeaten in the League all season surrendered theirs. The result means that Cringleford go within four points of the League leaders with a game in hand, setting up an exciting finale to the season that will test Taverham's nerves.
Cringleford fielded pretty much an unchanged side to the team that successfully brushed aside Rockland, with Huw and Woody returning to the bench.
In the first ten minutes Cringleford showed the League leaders far too much respect and Taverham dominated the early exchanges without creating any clear cut chances. As Cringleford started to get back in to the game the "spectacular goal" voodoo struck again. Ollie didn't get as much distance on his kick and the ball fell straight to an unmarked midfielder who hammered the ball straight back into the to corner. Ollie did well to get his hand to the ball but was unable to save the goal.
One down to an unbeaten team, this was going to test Cringleford's character to the limit! But react, they did. Richard, Mick and Dave started to boss the midfield and Yun Min started to probe down the right, testing the Taverham full back. Mike and Kevin started to carve out a few chances and went close on a couple of occasions. The back four held firm against the most successful front two in the League and Cringleford used this as a base to push on. When Mike was brought down in the area you could have been forgiven for thinking that this was not to be Crigleford’s day. Phil stayed forward when the resulting corner was cleared and was found at the far post by Mick Sanders with a cross reminiscent of an exocet hunting down HMS Sheffield. He headed the ball back into the path of Mike Pyne who headed the ball into the top corner. Goal? No, deliberate handball on the line, well at least it would be a sending off and a penalty? No, the ref decided that a penalty was punishment enough. “Where is the justice in that?” shouted Tony Martin from the sideline. Richard stepped up and held his nerve despite opposition gamesmanship to cooly slot the ball in the bottom corner. GAME ON!
Both teams probed for the remainder of the half, the Cringleford back four held firm with Phil and Mark dominating the aerial battle and Ian and Steve not giving an inch. Taverham came close from a corner when Ollie failed to reach the original ball in but as the ball was headed back he came bravely to the rescue to prevent a certain goal.
At halftime the testosterone was oozing, the adrenaline was pumping and there were some stirring speeches, so much so that the halftime oranges were renamed passionfruit in honour of Ecky’s words.
The injured Richard Fairman gave way to Huw in midfield and Woody added a fresh impetus to the front two with Kevin making way. Cringleford started to get a grip on the game and saw a chink in Taverham’s armour, as Mike Pyne was neatly played in only to see the chances miss the post. As the game started to turn it looked like Taverham were going to deliver a killer blow as they raced clear of the defence. Yun Min, who was having a cracking game and potentially the only one with enough pace chased back and slid in to help the ball back to Ollie. As Yun Min appealed for a foul Ollie hooved the ball upfield. As the ball cleared the last defender, the pacey (well in his own words) Woody latched on to the ball and slotted it past the keeper to give Cringleford the lead.
Was a one goal advantage going to be enough with half an hour to play, it didn’t matter. Just as Taverham regrouped, a neat move down the right hand side resulted in the ball being laid off to Huw Payne who struck the ball into the top corner from 30 yards (or so he claims, the rest of us thought it was about 20 yards, but then he does have a two foot willy!)
Taverham tried to get back into the game, the Cringleford Four (as they are now being nicknamed) held resolute and gave nothing. As Taverham pushed forward gaps began to show and Woody and Pyno began to weave their magic. Woody had several chances to give the scoreline the embarrassment factor but decided to tamely lob into the keepers arms when it was easier to score. Woody changed his tact and went for the spectacular hitting two long range volleys just wide.
As the final whistle went Cringleford celebrated in front of their biggest crowd of the season. The sheer commitment was further evidenced when Dave Sharred had one of his moments in the showers. Was Ecky’s palpitations contagiousand and was Ian Bartlett’s cry of “Blow harder” really appropriate in a male changing facility?
