4^th March 2007

 

Comberton Crusaders 6 - 0 Little Downham Eagles

 

The 6-0 margin marked a very good performance against a well-organised Little Downham side, who fought to the end but were unable to contain Crusaders attacking threat on a soft, taxing surface.

 With no substitutes available, and having switched the match to Bourn due to a waterlogged home pitch, Little Downham faced an uphill task against a Comberton side with a 100% record in 2007. However, as in recent games, Crusaders had to work very hard in the opening exchanges against a well-drilled defensive unit. Indeed, it was soon apparent that the visitors had a touch of quality in most areas of the pitch, and it took a crunching tackle from James to kick Crusaders into life, with Tom and Alex taking the ball on to give Joe a shooting opportunity. The resultant corner from Tom dipped to the back post but Huw’s first-time volley flew over, and Eagles then enjoyed some sustained pressure, with Paul and Jamie featuring in Crusaders’ attempts to break up play before the visitors shot high and wide.

 After 15 minutes it was still all square, and with Paul and James both fully occupied in the heart of defence some personnel changes saw SamB on for CT and Callum on for Huw. The pattern of the game shifted, however, when Crusaders managed to string together a couple of quality moves, and the interplay that saw Alex and Joe combine to release Tom led to the opening goal. Tom’s run into the box was met with a fine challenge that conceded a corner, but Tom’s delivery was precise as the corner dropped between defenders for Joe to attack the space and get contact with the outside of his boot, the ball looping over the keeper and just under the bar to put Crusaders ahead. Tom continue to torment the right side of the Eagles’ defence, and his cross was inch perfect for a back-post header from Charlie that flew just wide. The next effort was from Tom himself, shooting wide after good build-up play from SamB and Alex, and Crusaders maintained the assault with Alex shooting wide from Joe’s neat through ball.

 Little Downham were on the back foot, and when they did get forward it was to be met by another fine stopping tackle from James, which was the catalyst for a sweeping Crusaders attack. This time it was Alex pulling the strings to release Tom for a left wing run and cross that was met perfectly by Joe, who flicked the ball past the keeper’s outstretched hand to make it 2-0. Just before half-time the lead was further extended when Joe collected in midfield and swept the ball wide right to SamH, who drove outside the defender before whipping in a low cross that had Joe and Tom drooling, the latter applying the finishing touch to make it 3-0 at the break.

 Crusaders began the second half with the wind at their backs, and they wasted no time in testing Little Downham as Joe was tripped on the edge of the area after Alex had supplied the pass. Alex stepped up to take the free-kick, and his curling shot was only parried by the stretching keeper, allowing Charlie and Joe to follow in from close range, with Charlie claiming the final touch. With the heavy pitch and sustained effort taking its toll, for a brief spell Eagles were struggling with only nine fit players as two received treatment. Crusaders were emboldened by the extra space and lack of cover at the back, and SamH and Callum both made promising runs and had goalbound shots blocked. Paul and James were then replaced by CT and Huw, and while Crusaders reorganised themselves the visitors broke away to test Harry, who got down well to claim. Another injury stoppage settled things down, but from the restarting throw SamH quickly fed the ball to Joe, who ran into the area and sent the keeper the wrong way before netting coolly, claiming his hat-trick and 40^th goal of the season to make it 5-0 to Crusaders.

 Joe was immediately replaced by Peter, with Jamie also coming on for Alex, and as Little Downham, now restored to 11 players, refused to lie down, James completed a personal hat-trick of great tackles to keep the visitors at bay. Despite their commendable efforts the ball remained largely in Eagles’ half, and the scoring was completed when SamH claimed a hat-trick of assists with a deep corner to SamB on the edge of the area, the ‘Pest’ living up to his soubriquet with a looping overhead kick that dipped under the bar to put Crusaders 6-0 up. The hosts continued to dominate possession, with CT, Milton and Jamie picking up plenty of loose balls in midfield, but Little Downham held firm for the last 10 minutes as the remaining goal attempts either found the side netting or flew wide.

Squad: Peter Atkin, Jamie Baker, James Biswell, Tom Blair, Sam Bradshaw, Joe Dickens, Huw Gordon, Paul Hardy, Sam Hills, Harry Houghton, Milton Marrero, Callum Pinner, CT, Charlie Wetton-Smith, Alex Willis