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Cardiff
Northern 3 CMC Sports & Social 2 Trelai, 19th November Starting
XI Non attendances by Phil Gough, Gavin Bishop and, yet again, Nicky Ball and several players carrying knocks meant caretaker manager, David Manley and this seasons captain Craig Palfrey formulated a new side and a 4-5-1 formation with Stephen Mustey as the lone target man. The middle three of Haggert, Palfrey and Bartlett would have to play really well as the lost battle in the centre of the park was the reason for the defeat earlier in the season. Northern started well as did CMC as both teams made light of the muddy conditions early on. The CMC centre forward who scored the goals in the previous game was being marked out of the game by Russell Palmer and the extra man in midfield allowed Northern to seize the upper hand. A ball forward sent Stephen Mustey clear and although he tangled with the opposition centre-back he pulled clear to score, only for the referee to blow saying that he had fouled the defender. Northern merely increased their resolve at this incident and when David Manley won a crunching tackle in the centre circle the ball fell to Gareth Bartlett on the edge of the box and he passed it on to Mustey who tucked it away in the corner for 1-0. Northern continued to dictate the game and when threatened defended well with Matthew Rowley making some good tackles. Northern then broke when Carl Manley had the ball on the left wing and although he was brought down Russell Palmer picked up the ball and delivered a cross which was only half cleared before Mustey tucked home his second. Northern continued to defend well and Mark Manley didn't have a save of note to make before half-time. Northern had a positive team talk unlike the previous week and when play restarted it was in a similar vein to the first half. As Bartlett, Haggert and Palfrey tired CMC got into the game more but were unable to pull a goal back. Bartlett went off for the tigerish Ross Gunter and almost against the run of play Northern scored again when David Manley had a free-kick on half way on the right-wing. He hit a cross-field ball to fellow full-back Carl French who again hit a cross-field ball to Carl Manley whose first touch sent him through the defence and he tapped home at the near post for 3-0. Northern had a legitimate penalty appeal turned down when Fundalski was tripped when clean through that would have sewn the game up and it was only when Palfrey went off with 10 minutes remaining that CMC laid siege to the Northern goal. A blatant offside goal made it 3-1 with 5 minutes remaining and when a corner was not cleared a CMC player hit a shot through a crowd of players to make it 3-2 with 2 minutes left. Carl Manley managed to play keep ball far upfield till the whistle went and Northern had avenged the 5-2 defeat early in the season. For 60 minutes Northern had played their best football of the season and look set up well for manager Roche's comeback at the end of December. Subs: Ross Gunter, Courtney
Philp * Match Reports represent the opinion of the author and in no way represent the opinions of CNFC. |