(4-4-2)

Andrews, Cowdery, Rogers, Smith, Dawson, Murray, Moore, Johnson, Fulton, Withey, Newman.

Without a referee, and with bright sunshine, strong wind and a pitch that was dry as a bone, this was always going to be a strange sort of game. Both sides can be grateful for the run-out, but the performances left a little to be desired.

CPR made a perfect start, going in front within the opening 5 minutes. Paul’s free-kick was lofted into the box, and when the PH keeper spilled it Scott blasted the ball into the goal, but was thwarted by one of the defenders who handled on the line. Paul obviously fancied the penalty as he ran 50 yards to take it, but Matt was having none of that, and coolly tucked the penalty home in his usual style.

Primrose came right back into the game and dominated the next 20 mins. Their quick passing style looked good, and they created several chances which were uncharacteristically missed by their Ukrainian striker. However, the goal duly arrived: CPR couldn’t clear a corner very far, and when the second cross came in they had a man on the 6-yard box to sidefoot past John.

That was to signal the end of John’s stint in goals, as he aggravated his back injury going down for the shot: Paul was man enough to don the gloves, and John pulled on the left-back shirt.

Suitably inspired by having their charismatic leader out on the pitch, CPR then stormed into the lead. A long ball was played through to Steve, and he reached it before the keeper, who looked petrified on his goal-line. Steve had no problems in slippingit past him into the corner of the net, provoking a rather strong discussion in the PH defence.

Leading at half-time, CPR knew that it would be a different story in the second 45, with the strong wind against them and Primrose Hill desperate for the equaliser. Sure enough, the visitors really struggled to get it together in the second half, and only rarely managed to string more than two passes together. With Primrose Hill virtually encamped in the CPR half, it was only a matter of time before they got the equaliser, although it was along time in coming thanks to some poor finishing, stalwart defending, and Alex’s rather unorthodox goalkeeping which seemed to psychologically disturb the home team’s forwards.

In fact it was still 2-1 to CPR with only 15 mins remaining, when a long hopeful punt took a wicked bounce off the hard pitch and deceived the onrushing Andy, who by this time had taken over in the CPR goal. The ball kicked up so high he could just barely head it into the path of a grateful Shev, who finished to make it 2-2.

After that things just got worse for CPR, as Primrose’s passing moves started to come off and they ran through the CPR back line at will. Their final two goals both came as the result of quick one-twos between the midfield and forwards, with the midfield man running into the box to slot home.

Nothing to write home about, then, with a distinct lack of aggression and adrenalin on all sides. Still, a useful runabout to get the team in shape for the crucial match against the improving Fulham Saracens.

Final score: Primrose Hill 4, CPR 2

Match Reporter: Garry Griffin