Line-up (5-3-2)
Sloane, Evans, Johnston, Walsh, Moore, Griffin, O’Toole, Newman, Littlechild (Cavanagh, 70), Kuczynski, Ricky. Subs not used: Dan, Jacobs

A soggy, dull day at Bartlett Park and not a firework in site but in the away team dressing room sparks were flying as CPR were heatedly discussing how to get their season back on track after the * nil gubbing by Primrose Hill.

The warm up commenced with 100% focus and determination as Evans put us through our paces. Over on the other side, the Resolute were pi$$ing around, presumably laughing about the easy task that lay ahead of them.

CPR started tentatively, understandably lacking a little confidence but the defending from the whole team was determined and solid and the home side were struggling against the tight marking.

After 20 mins, an interception by Rachel high up the field launched CPR’s first real counter-attack. Ricky looked second favourite when chasing a through ball but showed tremendous strength and pace to stride away from the last defender and slot past the onrushing keeper from 16 yards. 1-0 CPR.

The goal lifted the whole team and the defending for the rest of the half looked more deliberate and composed. The Resolute did not have a shot on goal in the entire half but Chris still had to look lively to claim crosses and sweep the edge of his box. He did this to good effect around the half our mark to dive at the feet of the onrushing Resolute forward.

Soon after, Stu bit into another tackle, received a return pass from O’Toole and played in Ricky for number 2, giving CPR a deserved half-time lead.

Half-time: The Resolute 0, CPR 2

The Resolute who had been squabbling with each other all game replaced their normally most creative player, winger #20 with a 6′5 giant and upped the pace from half time. Again, though CPR fairly comfortably held firm for the first 10 mins.

Then a clearance sent Ricky clear again, but the big keeper who looked like the fat gymnast from the Skoda advert was big and agile enough to put Ricky off. 5 mins later, however, CPR did get their third as a Newman-O’Toole interchange fed ricky down the right channel. On a hat-trick, he unselfishly looked for Stu in the middle. The wee man still had a lot to do but slotted clinically passed the big man.

3-0. Game over? Not likely. This lot don’t know when they are beaten. Their reply came only 3 minutes later, a well taken header by Captain Wozza from a corner on the right.

Their arguments turned to battle-cries. CPR now knew they were in a war and there was ckuffin Charlie everywhere. The pressure was relentless but then somehow CPR broke forward again and scored a goal of pure quality. Evans won the ball in the right-back position and flighted a beautiful pass to Stu. The Scot sidestepped a challenge and pierced a pass through for Ricky to bang home his hat-trick and restore the 3-goal buffer.

A $hit load of corners followed for the home side and CPR were camped in their own box once more. The first Rachel took in the midrift and was then replaced by the ever-battle ready Cavanagh. From the second, the CPR captain, Johnston saw an attempted headed clearance bound for his own goal only for Chris to save his blushes with an amazing one-handed save.

The third corner in a row, however, went straight into the CPR net despite a desperate effort by Griffin at the back post to keep it out.

Soon after, Chris could do nothing as Johnston’s luck ran out, trying to cut out a wicked cross from the left which came off his shin and into the low right-hand corner of his own net. $hit! 4-3. Surely they couldn’t do it to us again??

The last 13 minutes of the match saw some desperate defending on the edge of the box once more but only 2 real chances of note. The first when big Steve tried to steal PJ’s thunder when his chest down on his own goal line looked goal bound but trickled just wide. The second from another deep cross from the left which beat everyone including, mercifully, the Resolute left winger at the back post.

But this was CPR’s day at long last and the whistle was greeted with some relief and long awaited celebrations from the lads.

Final score: The Resolute 3, CPR 4

Match Reporter: Paul Johnston