New Year, Same Problems....

By CCFC Sid
January 12 2004

Three league games, no league goals - it might be a new year, but some things don't change. And yet another annoying display of "nearly" passes - slightly slower, or a yard less, and a CCFC player might have got on the end of one or two. As I said, some things don't change....

Dean Gordon made the most unlikely comeback since TV's `Crossroads' (Neither decision I approved of!), with Steve Staunton being ruled out through injury. Courtney Pitt was inexcusably left out fo the 16, which means since being MOTM versus Bradford, he has been dropped to the bench, then left out altogether. He must be wondering why he bothered coming to CCFC....

Watford failed to take advantage of a couple of early chances, while CCFC won a succession of corners, which, despite some better than usual deliveries, all came to nothing. One of them saw Konjic fail to make any connection with a decent cross, as once again he failed to trouble an opposition keeper.

A Warnock cross found the head of Gary McSheffrey in the penalty area soon after, and he set Adebola up for what looked a relatively easy chance. The two-time Peterboro target blazed over from about three yards out, to continue his run of matches without a goal. A minute later, Gordon found himself a mere six yards away from goal in the Watford penalty area, but dallied for far too long, and the ball was cleared.

A snap-shot from McSheffrey was saved well by Pidgeley in the Watford goal after 21 minutes, before an excellent strike from Safri smacked the Watford post, with the Watford keeper well beaten. McSheffrey failed to get onto the rebound, which came out at pace, but he had been flagged for being offside anyway.

More evidence of Joachim's pace was evident on 28 minutes (Twice in two weeks!), with his surging run ended when he was brought down in the penalty area. Nothing more than half-hearted appeals from the East Terrace suggested that the referee got it right by not awarding a spot-kick.

Minutes later CCFC were denied what looked a more blatant penalty when McSheffrey was clearly pushed in the area. But, possibly fearing a yellow card for NOT diving again, stayed on his feet. And three minutes later yet another CCFC penalty appeal was turned down after a Watford defender clearly handled in the penalty area.

Warnock was put through by Joachim after 40 minutes, and should really have added to CCFC's poor goals tally from midfield. Sadly, his cross-come-shot eluded Pidgeley who had come off his line, but sailed over the keepers head and out to safety.

The second half started with CCFC playing keep-ball for a while, until a poor Doyle pass gifted Watford the chance to break. They did so at pace, but the final shot was poor.

Soon after, a long range Dean Gordon effort did nothing more than sting the keepers fingers, and minutes later, Adebola failed to pick out McSheffrey with what would have been the simplest of passes. McSheffrey was goalside of the nearest defender, but being played onside by a Watford full-back....

A nice CCFC move involving McSheffrey, Warnock and Joachim came to nothing as Doyle's follow-up to a JJ shot was disappointingly aimed nearer The Swanswell Pool rather than the back of the Watford net.

A late flag from the linesman stopped Joachim in his tracks soon after - a decision hotly disputed by those in line with the incident in the Main Stand. Nice to know they were awake....

Another blatant handball was missed by the match officials, and Watford raced up the pitch and threatened to score. Thankfully Ward was equal to the task. To concede a goal after another refereeing blunder would have been an injustice....

Suffo and Pead replaced Adebola and Warnock after 75 minutes, with Suffo, normally so impressive when coming off the bench, giving the ball away with his first few touches.

A McSheffrey effort went close on 79 minutes, before Davenport squandered what looked like a great opportunity to break the dead-lock by running round in a circle in the penalty area - before falling over unnecessarily. Even some CCFC fans thought he should have received a booking for diving....

Joachim missed two excellent chances in the last ten minutes, beating the keeper but putting the ball the wrong side of the post after 82 minutes (After Suffo finally got something right), and missed from about two yards out with only seconds left - the sort of miss that makes you wonder if CCFC will ever score again....

Also during the last 10 minutes, Suffo was the victim of a very hefty challenege from a Watford player (Which went unpunished), gave Whing a hospital pass that really did almost leave the youngster needing hospital treatment, and producing a trick that beat everybody - except the linesmans flag.

CCFC were booed off at the end, by a once again disappointed crowd....