Chatteris U14b Let slip a two-goal lead this afternoon and with it the chance to go up to second in the league. Whilst the top two battled it out where Eaton Socon beat Comberton 3-2, Chatteris could only manage a 2-2 home draw to a hard working Shelford side.
On a blustery day Chatteris started tensely but on 3mins great work by Tyler Crane led to a cross and whilst Mitch Dawson’s first shot was blocked, Gary Jackson followed in to see his effort go wide but very close. (was this to be the story of our day?)
Stapleford were direct, but committed few players forward, this lead to less space for Chatteris to counter. Stapleford’s one or two forwards cause our defence a few problems and most of the time Sam, Macca, Joe and the on fire Pat dealt with it. Often Pat Ford found himself as last man and always seemed to clear or get a good tackle in. In fact on one occasion a scramble 10 yards out saw the ball dribble toward our open goal, Pat chased it down and cleared. Pheww…
On 11 minutes Gary Jackson had his second corner on the trot, this time a training ground routine was used. The short corner to Sam Merryweather who excellent cross was met on the volley by the back in form Tyler Crane who’s clever touch found the corner of the net 1-0.
Four minutes later Frankie Ransome went very close with a 20-yard free kick. It was Ransome who’s through ball released Gary Jackson clear to run in on goal and calmly beat the on-rushing keeper to double our lead on 23 minutes.
Ryan White, again in goal for the injured Jamie Hughes had little’sh to do first half. A couple a secure catches but on 29 minutes he had to be very alert and get down well at his near post when a Stapleford low cross looked as if it would creep in.
On 33 minutes came what could be the turning point of the game, a through ball the nimble Tyler chased it down beat the on-rushing keeper 3-4 yards outside the box. The keeper made contact with Tyler and despite his effort to stay on his feet as he had an open goal he just couldn’t. A clear free kick and up steps Frankie to try his luck again. His hard and low shot beat the wall and the keeper. The ball came off the inside of the post and somehow found it’s way into the keeper’s arms.
HT CTYFC 2-0 STAPLEFORD
Despite being warned against compliancy in the second half, at times we seemed to have a lack of discipline, shape and effort and you could see Shelford gaining in confidence as they started to commit a few more players forward.
This as expected led to some gaps but alas we could not quite get a clean strike on goal or more to the point a telling one. Several chances went begging they were either well blocked, timidly into the keepers arms or painfully just wide.
On 59 mins Shelford reduced the deficit when a free kick was bundled in at the far post. This gave our opponents more confidence and at time our defence seemed over run, may I add for the first time this season. However we hang on with no major issues.
With just 2minutes left on the clock the Stapleford right winger managed to find enough space to provide and excellent cross to the far post where his opposite number (left winger) ran in to head the equaliser. To be very fair a very good goal. Some would say they deserved it. On clear-cut chances perhaps not. But the matter of fact is that from two-nil up we surrendered the game. Harsh lessons need to be learned.
Although Chatteris did not play badly they didn’t quite play to their full potential or, like last week, for the full 70 minutes. MOTM went to the very hard working Patrick Ford.
Cup action next week away to the unbeaten in Division C team Hardwick. Good test!!!!!!
Top of League.
1. E Socon P7 21 Pts
2. Comberton P6 15 Pts
3. Chatteris B P6 14 Pts |
