(4-4-2)

P Rogers, Evans, D Rogers, Smith, Chan, Ameri, Gall, Newman, Murray (Bruni, 5), Wan (Tejada, 70), Kuczynski

Another match which could easily have been won, but let’s hope this is the start of better things.

Both teams started the match well, despite the hindrance of playing on yet another bone-dry, rutted and narrow pitch. CPR were rocked by the early departure of Jon Murray with a hamstring strain, and Luca came on in an unfamiliar left-wing role.

After a nervous period with neither team really in charge, the match came to life when CPR opened the scoring. They worked the ball down the right wing to Stuart, who sent an early cross into the penalty box. Kenny went up for the header and just managed to get a touch onto it, and the ball fell to Amir who’d come racing in from midfield. He slammed in a shot which beat the keeper and went in off the post.

CPR had not much time to celebrate the lead, however, as Saracens soon got themselves back into the game thanks to a highly debatable penalty. A bouncing ball in the CPR penalty box made the slightest of contacts with Amir’s hand, and the ref blew for a penalty from fully 50 yards away.

Both teams fought hard for the remainder of the half, but the defences dominated. Other than a Ken Gall snapshot which flashed just wide of the post, there was precious little goalmouth incident.

There wasn’t much change in the second half, with both teams scrapping hard for every loose ball and creative players on both sides struggling to get on the ball and make an impact. However, as the half wore on it was CPR who started to make the more chances from open play.

Stuart came very close with one Rooney-esque effort, taking the ball down in a crowded penalty box and hitting a shot on the turn which whistled past the post. This was followed a few minutes later by another screamer from Amir on the edge of the box which flew narrowly wide.

CPR were repeatedly cutting down Saracen’s left flank, and Luca, Amir and Stuart all got down to the bye-line to pull dangerous cutbacks into the box, but Fulham always managed to get the ball clear. Steve’s throw-ins were also causing the home defence problems: as the ball bobbled in the 6-yard box Amir almost managed to nod the ball home, but just couldn’t get enough power to trouble the keeper.

With 20 mins left Saracens put on a late flurry and pinned CPR in their own half for a good spell. They forced a series of corners and throw-ins, and a couple of dangerous crosses flashed across the CPR goal, but the CPR defence looked solid, and Paul Rogers again looked impressive in goal, on the few occasions he was called into action.

Having weathered the late storm, CPR were to carve out the clearest chance of the game with just 5 mins left. Alvaro raced down the right wing and fired in a cross-shot which found Stuart just 6 yards out and with an open goal, but unfortunately CPR’s top scorer couldn’t quite adjust his feet in time and his left-foot shot ended up off-target.

Final score: Fulham Saracens 1, CPR 1

Match Reporter: Garry Griffin