CFC Shalford vs Bocking United

Braintree & North Essex Sunday League Division 1

Today was another important game for the fragile CFC Shalford. Having been taught a few football lessons over the previous couple of weeks, it was now time to turn the corner. Win, lose or draw this was where the team made themselves stronger and find the ballsy grit that has disappeared over the past month or crumple and become the timid team others came to visit and use as a training session.

Bocking have been one of the war horses Shalford have duelled with over the years, with Bocking, over recent times being the overwhelming victors.

Preparation for the game was disrupted yet again with players cancelling at late notice or worse still failing to turn up altogether, giving the management unwanted pressure for what is a difficult time for the team.

The pressure and frustration is then passed on to the team mates, ironically not the people who have caused the issue in the first place. Andy Smith, Charlie Frost and Simon Butcher have been the main offenders to date.

I make no apologies for naming the guys as through various circumstances they have been the persistent players missing on various weeks so far. I appreciate injuries picked up from Saturdays games are difficult to predict and there are occasions when work or domestic circumstances are factors but others are just a little selfish in my mind and I am getting a little tired of the bollockings given from the management to the players who are there week in week out!!!!!!

IF YOU CANT MAKE THE GAME LET BUTCH/GAV KNOW EARLY ON SO ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE...............ON THE DAY IS NOT ACCEPTABLE UNLESS IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!!!!!

With our depleted team, two of the reserves were drafted in to make the eleven required to give us any chance of saving face let alone pick up points. The weather was cold and the pitch heavy with wet mud, giving us less than ideal conditions to pick our heads up which were firmly stooped from previous matches.

To my surprise the mood was good and the attitude was even better, the fact that we were poorly prepared again seemed to be dismissed and the football being played was positive. Sid and Meady, drafted from the reserves, gave the rest a feel good feeling by being crisp in the tackle and accurate with the passing, releasing some of the ‘winning feelings’ brought from the reserve team and injected it into the midfield of the first team.

Shalford had some good chances early in the game that caused the Bocking defence some real issues, having not been for the host’s keeper, CFC would have enjoyed a deserved lead.

Opportunities were being created with some pin point balls splitting the defence by May and Sherwin for Bensley and Pitt to react to but not quite accurate enough with the execution. Once again a solid performance from the back four saw Bocking restricted to very few opportunities. Luther has grown from strength to strength into the left full back role, securing this position as his own and the ever present Ropey and Chandler brothers proving that consistency provides a solid base in any team. Their work rate and organisation is always a pleasure to watch, rarely being exposed. MJ again took up the anchor in goal and became a brick wall at times in front of the sticks. A fantastic point blank save which was pure goal keeper instinct, caused MJ to injure his ankle. It was clear this was causing him some considerable pain. With the lack of substitutes making the task that much harder he had to continue when ordinarily would have been an instant change of player.

The football continued all over the park, crisp passing and positive attacking pressure had the host’s defence continually turning on a very muddy pitch. Against the run of play, Bocking had scrambled the ball into the Shalford net, a familiar experience for the Shalford team. The reaction however was a little different from previous weeks. There was a belief that we were the better team on the day and that we had conceded a goal was a mere blip. It saw CFC show the attitude that had been so encouraging at the beginning of the season. There was belief that we could play football and play it well.

Half Time: CFC Shalford 0 Bocking 1

The second half was a similar affair to the first; both teams struggled with the pitch however turned out a decent game of football. Both midfields duelled well against each other and as both teams tired the chances became more frequent, CFC continued to pile the pressure and were dominating the attack but still struggled with putting the ball in the back of the net. It’s got to a stage that the pressure is so high on any of the strikers, it’s becoming a bit of a curse. It has been cast over the entire strike force and shared with all the players that had taken the forward position. This will no doubt be broken soon but never the less very frustrating for the players concerned.

A few penalty shouts for the visitors laid on deaf ears as the bad luck was firmly in bedded into the CFC profile. Marvis also coming close with a fantastic header that just went over the bar. It was an enjoyable game and both teams were sure there were more goals to come but the final whistled was heard, leaving the hosts relieved that luck had visited them today as they picked up the 3 points when, if the truth be told, they should have been shared.

Full time: CFC Shalford 0 Bocking 1

A real positive came out of today, the ability to want to win games, we were unfortunate today but at least we lost with a bit of dignity. The desire was there for everyone to see and I feel confident that the feelings felt today are infectious and can role on to next week’s game.

A real big thank you to both Syd and Meady............ both gave their heart and soul and played their part in a good game. It’s never easy playing in a team you are unfamiliar with, made that much harder when it’s at such short notice. Both have posed a question to be asked to the reserve team manager as to whether they should step up to the first team, certainly whilst we get our own house in order at the very least.

Note: This match was eventually awarded to us as Bocking played ineligible players.