Following a disappointing result at Newmarket, albeit with our goalkeeper being sent off in the opening quarter of the game (a fact conveniently overlooked by their manager in all newspaper reports), and a run of three other consecutive defeats, it was important to get back to winning ways.

We were also looking for the right performance following a few home truths spelled out to the players in a meeting on Thursday, and hours going back through basics on the tactics board and then walking through them on the training pitch. The fact that we responded with a display full of determination, commitment and resilience speaks volumes for the character of our youngsters.

Whilst we have suffered with illness, injury and unavailability due to loans or first team call ups, we have lacked the physical edge, aggression and defensive organisation required for us to win games in this league. Without these qualities, we are still able to compete and due to our individual and collective technical ability, we will always play good football but we will concede goals and lose matches. With these qualities, as was evident on Saturday, we can win without being at our best.

As I have recently explained, our team is currently in transition and if results go well, we want to continue getting younger as the season progresses. At the moment, first year scholars Adam Marriott, Jordan Patrick and Zac Costello are regulars in the team. At Harwich, we were also able to start with Brad Hunter for the first time this season following his horrendous series of fitness problems. Brad's physical presence gave us a new dimension up front and he could play a major part in our remaining twenty games if he continues to control his aggression and avoid injuries. We hope the likes of Calvin Dinsley and Sam Ives can add to their number of appearances and gain valuable experience in the second half of the season, whilst other first years need to lift their level of performances to put pressure on those in the team.

Although the season is over 42 matches, we see it somewhat differently. The Gaffer will make decisions about the second year scholars before the end of the season, so we really need to have enough points on the board to ensure safety by Easter. This will allow those unsuccessful in gaining a professional contract to trial elsewhere before the pre-season scramble and us to blood first year scholars with an eye on the following campaign.

In the last few games, with 26 points amassed from our first 17 matches, we have experimented a little and made decisions with long term development in mind rather than short term results. For example, Jordan Collins has gone out on loan to a club at a higher level to challenge himself further rather than stagnate with us. James Paterson and Michael Kirby also need to vie for the left back position and show what they can do consistently in this league. The same is true of our two 2nd year scholar goalkeepers, Phil Smith and Sam Beagle, hence the recent omission of Luke McShane.

With second year Robbie Willmott (above) also signing a contract with Cambridge United several months earlier than would normally be anticipated, it is no wonder that results have suffered. This is a great test to our pool of players though and hopefully, we will get enough points in the coming weeks that our plans for the second half of the season will not be compromised by getting dragged into a relegation battle. With a gap of 17 points to the bottom three, we should be OK. It does demonstrate though, that we are the one team in the league that does not always pick our strongest XI and cannot therefore be solely judged by our final position.

Our early pressure at Harwich could have brought two goals for debutant Brad Hunter but both his close range headers hit the crossbar. Piers Wixon was producing a stream of threatening crosses from his unfamiliar role on the right wing and Adam Marriott was a constant thorn in the side of the home team. Our midfield was disrupted by an injury to Sam Cutler after twenty minutes from a reckless challenge but Jordan Patrick's introduction would prove pivotal in the second half. We finally took a deserved lead just five minutes before the break, with Piers Wixon finding the bottom corner with a left-footed strike. The home side were denied an immediate reply by Sam Beagle, with an impressive save from a 20 yard strike.

Early second half pressure was dealt with admirably, Perry Bowe leading the way with several challenges of intent and Lewis Carr looking stronger than in recent games. We gained the breathing space we wanted from the penalty spot, with Piers Wixon adding his and our second goal following a foul on Jordan Patrick. Whilst the home team provided us with the aerial bombardment we expected, Sam Beagle tipped over two threatening efforts and we otherwise looked quite solid.  Their lifeline came from their only unopposed header of the match from a driven corner. Brad Hunter lost his man and proved the dictum that states 99% concentration equals 100% failure.

The minutes to follow could have compounded his mistake as our penalty box took a fearful battering but our rediscovered resilience kept our hosts at bay. We had already squandered a couple of good situations on the break when Adam Marriott (above) sprang their offside trap and ran forty yards before rounding the keeper and slotting the clinching goal into an empty net. It was a deserved reward for his workrate and the collective effort of the team. A massive relief for all concerned to end our losing run and a timely reminder that sheer determination and will to win can be just as important as skill and ability in deciding the outcome of football matches.

Team: Beagle, Bowe, Paterson, Carr, Costello, McAuley, Wixon, Cutler (Patrick 25), Hunter (Ives 80), Marriott, Hyem

Jez George

CRC are in action at the Abbey Stadium on Wednesday 2nd January (k.o. 7.45pm) v Haverhill Rovers

[CRC fixtures & results]