Saturday 8th March 2008

An unchanged team aimed to repeat the excellent performance and result from 72 hours earlier [report] and make it our second "double" within three days.  Whilst we lacked some of the consistency over the 90 minutes from our display at Woodbridge, there were moments of exceptionally high quality that led to great goals and near misses.

It must have been good to watch some of our pass and move football, which was played at pace with excellent movement and intelligence. The overall display was typified by the thoughtful and effective work of Craig Bussens on the right flank and Sam Cutler's great quality on the ball, both at set pieces and open play. These two really are pushing their cases for a professional contract at the end of the season.

With a gale force wind in our faces, the first half was always going to be difficult to handle, particularly against opponents who are threatening from dead ball situations and are happy to throw players into the box. After a fine early save from Sam Beagle, we were punished for statuesque defending from the resultant corner to gift the visitors an early lead. We soon wiped out the deficit though.

We are often frustrated at free kicks that Sam Cutler's fine deliveries are not converted into more goals. Well on this occasion, the runners timed their movement to perfection across the keeper and Rory McAuley scored with a deft header. Cutler was giving the visiting keeper a torrid time with corners from our left flank, with one cleared off the line and another flicked on by Brad Hunter, missing the far post by a matter of inches.

We then took the lead through a positive piece of play by Michael Kirby (left).

He intercepted a clearance and then drove at the right back, beating him with ease and deceiving the keeper with a low drive at his near post.

At half time we stressed the importance of building on this advantage and killing the game by scoring more goals as Wisbech are dangerous opponents who never lie down. We also knew that our pace and movement were causing them real problems and as long as we played with composure and patience, we would carve out more chances.

Our third goal would have graced any pitch, in any game, at any level. Rory McAuley and Craig Bussens combined down the right with the ball eventually fed to Sam Cutler. His superb driven cross, having tricked the defender to get to the bye line, was an invitation to score and Brad Hunter duly obliged with a bullet header. Everyone is pleased that Brad has now completed two consecutive 90 minutes, scoring two goals in the process, following a tortuous first six months to his career at CUFC with injury problems.

These have often been self inflicted, caused by his over exuberance and at times, lack of discipline, but now that Brad is channelling his aggression in the right way, he is a huge asset to the team and an exciting prospect. He will have a major role to play in our last eleven matches and next season.

The icing on the cake was provided by Adam Marriott with a looping header following another quality ball by Cutler, this time at the end of a move from the left flank. Sam showed great vision to stand the ball up at the far post for Maz to apply the finishing touch. Although our visitors got a late consolation it did not detract from another fine performance.

We now aim to achieve a first for the season - three consecutive wins in the league - against Walsham-le-Willows at the Abbey Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.45pm). More importantly, we hope to build on the football we have played in earning these six points.

Team: Beagle, McAuley, Kirby, Carr, Bowe (Costello 60), Cutler, Bussens, Ives, Wixon, Hunter, Paterson (Marriott 65).

Jez George