Line-up (5-3-2):
Barrasso; Jacobs, Rogers, Johnston; Evans, Pratt (Tejada, 65), Newman, Littlechild, Cavanagh; Kuczynski, Power (Butt, 45)

As usual, a trip to the East End brought the best out of CPR. While much praise has been showered on the revamped facilities at Regents Park, all chrome and croissants, the portakabins at Bartlett Park simply emanate the essence of parks football and Clissold soak it in every time. If only we could bottle it up.

Pre-match talk in the changing rooms focussed on the tactical approach, our need for three points and the fall-out from last week’s social: DIY disasters, christenings from hell and Jon Murray lost on a night bus. Donny’s fixation with the shower taps at least allowed most to get into the chemical toilet ahead of the big man… and then quickly wished they hadn’t.

With nicknames assigned and Deep Heat applied CPR went straight out into their warm-up routine, this time with the added exercise of stopping to clear the used firework boxes off the pitch (not one found in the coaches’ handbook). The ref adhered strictly to the referees’ timetable by appearing at 1:29 and the match kicked off with the home side looking into the quickly-fading sun.

On such a tight and bumpy pitch it was very difficult for either team to get the ball down, and most opportunities early on came from set pieces. It was CPR who had the first near thing, when Nick’s viciously swinging corner found Andy at the far post but the big man didn’t get the sweetest connection and The Resolute scrambled clear. Down at the other end the hosts forced a series of corners which CPR could never quite get clear; the run only ending when the home side’s no.9 nodded a free header down and past the post.

Both sides were digging in and fighting for every ball, and there was really nothing between the teams. The Resolute’s no.14, Abdi, was the one player who was giving CPR problems with his pace and close control. On the other flank Paddy was putting in a Murrayesque performance and had his winger fully in the back pocket.

CPR’s midfield three were not only tackling hard but also playing some good close passes which gave Nick Newman the platform to try and find the front two. Andy was making some good runs, pulling off the shoulder of The Resolute’s full-back, and Nick found him twice with glorious cross-field passes which just ran a bit too far.

Unfortunately it was just as CPR were starting to push forward that they were caught. Possession was squandered a little cheaply up the right wing and The Resolute simply played a long ball over the CPR defence which allowed their quick striker to run on and stroke a shot past Donny B.

The goal didn’t really change the pattern of play and both teams slogged it out for the remaining 15 mins of the half. CPR thought they’d equalised when Stu chased down a poor goal-kick and passed to Andy who rounded the keeper, but the ref pulled it back for offside. The visitors had one further chance to equalise when another great corner from Nick found Paddy flying in at the far post, but his header across goal didn’t find a CPR shirt.

CPR made an enforced change at half-time as debut front man Andy sped off in a taxi to Upton Park to see the ‘Ammers. Other than that no changes were required as Clissold had given as good as they’d got. The conviction was strong that the points were still up for grabs.

The second half started slowly and neither side was clearly on top, although The Resolute perhaps started to shade things in the middle of the park. Although the play became centred in the CPR half of the pitch the home side struggled to make any clear opportunities – the best one coming when the tricky no.14 somehow got free to latch onto a long free kick and hit a snap shot which Donny brilliantly turned round the post.

CPR still carried a threat themselves, as evidenced by both Stuart and Saif going close on breakaway attacks – the keeper saving well on both occasions. However, as in the first half it was just as they were looking solid that CPR lost a killer goal. A mix-up in defence allowed The Resolute’s no.9 to latch onto a long ball and round Donny, and despite the close attention of Evans (enough to put anyone off?) he slid the ball into the net.

The history buffs among the home support duly sent up their fireworks, but the flares had barely died out when CPR pulled one back. Saif was sent free by Paul’s pass up the right wing; he beat his man and squared for Stuart to knock his shot under the keeper’s body. 2-1 and back in the hunt.

Both teams went for it in the last 25 mins and the tempo went up still further. CPR were giving it everything but The Resolute defence, held together by old boy Sharkey, were disciplined and didn’t give up anything for free. Unfortunately in pushing on for the equaliser CPR were stretched at the back and The Resolute got the vital third with another attack down their left wing – a troublesome area for CPR all game – which ended with the winger crossing and their striker nodding home from close range.

Most teams would have packed it in right there, but CPR once again came right back at their hosts. They hammered away but the home defence remained tight, and as The Resolute hit on the counter only another brilliant save from Donny and a goal-line clearance from Simon J kept the reds in the game.

But CPR teams never lack heart and their constant effort was rewarded with a stunning individual goal from Saif. The little winger picked the ball up on the right wing and kept jinking inside onto his left foot, past what seemed to be about five Resolute defenders, before lashing a shot past the keeper into the opposite corner .

That goal lifted CPR to even greater efforts and they pushed all the way but couldn’t quite make another breakthrough. It speaks volumes that the league leaders were trying to keep the ball down at the corner flag to see out the final minutes. The match ended with CPR camped in the home side’s penalty box but one cross after another was met by a Resolute head before the ref blew for time.

We can never be truly happy after a defeat but this was certainly CPR’s strongest performance of the season to date. Grit, conviction, some good football and a couple of goals at last. This is a team which is starting to find its feet in the top division and come together as a unit. Upwards from here.

Final score: The Resolute 3, CPR 2

Match Reporter: Garry Griffin