After much chatter, posturing and predictions the first Segga derby of the season arrived with 'bragging rights' and a much needed three points at stake. In terms of quality football very little was played with both teams keen to deny the opposition space, this proven by five of the seven goals coming from set pieces.
The cricket club came out early attacking with a real intent and looked sharper than the big club lads. This resulted in a good save from Potts denying Draper and conceeding a corner. Given the line up selected by the CC set pieces where always going to be the biggest threat with O'brien and Fraser both good in the air. This proved true when Draper swung a ball to the back post which was misjudged by Potts. O'Brien made no mistake from inside the six yard box 0-1 early in the game.
Worse looked to have followed when in a sprint for the ball Coates got there just before Potts who chopped him down just outside the area, but for the covering Dean Smith the ref may have changed the colour of the card however a ticking off and a yellow was a correct decision. From the resulting free kick Potts saved well from Draper.
The early pressure continued and another corner this time from the right was delivered well by ex-club man Thornton, a tangle between Summers and Finch left Fraser with a free header and it would have been easy to fear the worst. 0-2 within twenty-five minutes played.
Some simple adjustments in positioning of our personal resulted in pressing the CC higher up the pitch and this resulted in a succession of free kicks for some over-zealous closing down. From a free kick swung in by Richardson Draper had no choice but to attempt to clear, he didn't manage a large enough contact and the ball nestled in the bottom corner - Gav can claim this its on target and I know Gary isn't keen to have an OG to his name, 1-2.
The first half fizzled out without any notable chances and both sides still struggling to get the ball down and play.
Into the second period the exertion of the first half was evident especially in the legs of some of the CC midfield. This allowed slighty more time to pick out better balls to Renwick who was remarkable that shackled by two centre halves plus Bladen in a man marking role still created so much havoc.
It was from a foul on Renwick that the turning point in the match came. Richardson claiming his second with an extraordinary strike into the top left hand corner. I heard some sections of the crowd think the ball didn't travel quick enough for Hall not to get a hand to it but when a ball is hit that true and with that accuracy I would not think about blame for the 'keeper. This was an obvious boost for the club and a deflator for the CC with the swing of the score to 2-2.
We then started to make further tactical changes bringing on Nicholson for Sharp who did exactly as we asked and sacrificed himself for the team in the first 55 minutes. The introductionof Nicholson enabled us to ask Renwick to adapt his role slightly and the results are there for all to see. Another free kick swung in by the impressive Richardson was met by the curly haired Renwick who got enough on it to divert past Hall 3-2 the club. The task of coming from two goals down complete albeit not yet making the game safe.
Further subs were made with Winter replacing Burrows who did a great job in centre midfield and Chapman replacing Finch who was struggling with a knock. Unfortunately we couldn't introduce Wiliknson and the lad was unlucky to miss out.
Worse was to follow from the CC who will have fancied their chances of getting back the one goal deficet, when Potts launched a swift counter attack in which a long ball was allowed to bounce and Renwick muscled in behind Quinn to slot into the bottom right corner, 4-2 the club and a wonderful cushion to which we where not going to surrender.
The changes came from the CC with Yates and Collinson (whom we where suprised didn't start) emerging from the bench. This did result in a goal with Yates firing high into the net via a sliced effort (i'm informed from Potts). 4-3.
The game fizzled out with the only other taking point a clash of heads resulting in Collinson and Chapman both sporting cuts. All in all not a game for the footballing purist but an entertaining encounter for a spectator.
I'd like to congratulate our lads as it's been a hard season and this win means slightly more because of this - winning becomes a habit and it's harder to keep picking yourselves up after defeats - you all deserved this win.
"Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even." Muhammad Ali
Also thank you to the CC lads who made the short trip to the big club for a post match drink - much appreciated and showing good sportsmanship in defeat - less kudos to the lads making idle threats to Gareth Sharp - at the end of the day it's a game, don't get silly in drink but keep the banter good humoured and we'll all get along.
