Well, CPR had planned to treat this game like the final match against Horseed last season, and it followed very much the same pattern. In other words, we played well, contained a very good team for a long while, but ultimately we lost the three points.

Athletico Juniors proved to be very similar in style to Horseed – young, quick and skilful. Every one of them was very comfortable on the ball. However, CPR stuck to the gameplan and got back, squeezed the space, and got their tackles in. That meant that Juniors could pass the ball around easily on the halfway line, but when they came forward they couldn’t find any gaps and their final balls were not penetrating. In fact, for a while they were restricted to shots from 25 yards (although they had a couple of close things from set pieces, as well). In particular, Andy and Mark put in a ton of work in the centre of midfield: they were absolutely outstanding.

CPR were playing good containment football, but they also had a few chances – the Juniors defence didn’t look too good. CPR had one glorious chance midway through the first half when Matty slipped a ball inside the fullback, and Chris D was straight through on goal, one-on-one against the keeper. Chris had loads of time, and the keeper didn’t even come off his line. Chris must have been overcome with pity for the poor little chap, because he pulled his shot wide of the post.

About 5 mins before half-time, however, Juniors got the breakthrough. Their forward got the ball on the edge of the box, held off Rodney, and slipped a ball inside Paul D – the right winger finished it off from about 8 yards out.

The pattern of the game remained the same through the second half: CPR soaking up pressure, and trying to hit on the break. To be honest, though, CPR started to look tired and weren’t creating the openings they had in the first half. At the other end, they again were containing Juniors’ attacking play, and their best chances were coming from set-pieces.

However, with about 25 mins to go CPR finally conceded another. They gave away a corner, the Juniors winger curled in a good cross, and CPR got outjumped. John got a hand to it, but it was a very powerful header that couldn’t be stopped.

One of the best things about the game was the way CPR then responded. They took the game straight to Juniors, and started to pin them back. They won a succession of corners, and were coming ever closes. It was like the CPR of old.

With about 15 to go Dennis won us a free-kick at the edge of the box, Paul D swung over a lovely cross, Matt got his head to it, and Chris D was there to knock in the rebound off the post. Back to 2-1, with Chris K giving it loads on the sidelines, and Juniors were starting to argue with each other – CPR began to believe they could get something back.

They kept up the pressure, had another few close things from corners, but couldn’t get the equalising goal. From one of the CPR corners Juniors broke quickly, and although the CPR midfield got back you could see they were dead on their feet. One of the Juniors’ midfielders got in a shot from the edge of the box, John parried it but one of their strikers buried the rebound.

In effect that finished the game, although there were lots of chances at both ends in the last 5 mins as the game opened up. Juniors rattled the post, and Chris D came close for CPR.

Final score: CPR 1, Athletico Juniors 3

Match Reporter: Garry Griffin