CRC always give a very good account of themselves considering there young ages.  What they lack in age they gain in height - most of them are well over 6 foot, and they are very fit and fast too. So this was going to be a big test for FCC today.

In the CRC Programme I quote "All in all, it looks like we could be in for a cracker this afternoon."  Well that comment was not wrong, in a highly entertaining game.

With the sun and also a stiff breeze in there faces FCC weathered the early storm, when CRC could well have taken a deserved lead after dominating the opening 15 minutes with some crisp football.  Our back line of Lee Peacock, Kyelan Marvell, Tom Austin and Matt Cripps were very solid and there workrate and covering for each other was good to watch.  In the 15th minute we had an escape, CRC broke and had a 3 on 1 attack - Matt Cripps stood firm and drove the onrushing forward wide and blocked his cross to his fellow men, That let-off seemed to spur FCC on!! FCC started to string some good passes together, playing some neat football in the process. A good interpassing move between Aaron Condon and Kyelan Marvell, Condon beat 2 men and passed to Kyelan overlapping down the left, he cut inside, beat 2 players before unleashing a great shot for his first FCC goal, from all of 25yards, wrong footing the home keeper in the process.  CRC still drove forward and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored an equaliser, but Lee Peacock and Tommy Austin both put in some great tackles to thwart the dangers. Now it was our turn to have a couple of attacks, where maybe we could have scored first when Kev Coyle was tackled just as he was about to pull the trigger and then good interplay between Joe Martin and Aaron Condon resulted in Aaron shooting into the side netting - when it looked easier to score. In the 34th minute we had another let off when the CRC number 9 Ryan Ingrey hit a great shot only for Joe Playle our number 1 to make a very good save, the ball broke to Bobby Joe Taylor only for him to shoot wide!!  Another good FCC move starting with Sean Hillier who passed to kevin Coyle who fed Condon only for him to fire wide.  CRC were still taking the game to us and only resolute defending kept us in front.  Another fine move involving Austin, Karl Andrade and Condon who beat 3 players giving himself an opportunity with only the home keeper to beat but again he shot narrowly wide.  HALF TIME CRC 0  FCC 1

With the breeze and sun at our backs - it was no surprise that we dominated for most of the second half with chances going begging, that on another day we would have scored.  Twice Condon should have scored and then Joe Martin had a clear header which went narrowly over the bar.  CRC were still catching us on the break and only a great tackle by Tom Austin stopped Ingrey from scoring.  In the 58th min Condon took a quick throw on to Kevin Coyle who touched the ball on to hit 30yard dipping volley over the keeper into the far side of the goal - what a goal!! FCC still called the tune and had numerous other chances, but there attempts were either just wide of the post or were well defended.  Joe Playle was called into action on 81mins when he made a good save from substitute Yacine Gnahore.  FCC still had further chances and but for a great save by Trunca, Liam Whittaker would have scored our 3rd goal.  Matt Waters also went close.  Final Score CRC 0  FCC 2

This was a really competitive game and FCC played some exceptional football at times.  The final score would not have flattered us if it had been 6 or 7!!  But credit to CRC who never gave up.  They are a very good team.  

What a good lot of away supporters we have - of the 77 crowd at least 40 were from CLACTON. 

STATS

CRC                                     FCC

11           GOAL KICKS              8

2             SHOTS ON TARGET    3 

4             SHOTS OFF TARGET  11

5             CORNERS                 11

11           FOULS CONCEDED      10

7             OFFSIDE                   2

0             YELLOW CARDS          1

0             RED CARDS                0

3             SUBS USED                3