Our first game of the new season saw us at Cobham from the Epsom and Ewell league for a Friendly match.
With players moving on to bigger and better things (most notably Deon Mubaiwa 46 goals in 16 games last season )and the addition of 5 new players it was a new look Cranleigh taking the field against a highly rated Cobham side. With the match 3 minutes old and both teams getting into the game Cobham pressed forward and were looking to open the scoring . However a crunching tackle by Isaac ( ginger ) Holt playing in the holding role in front of the defence seemed to ignite Cranleigh .
We went on to dominate the midfield pressing Cobham back but without creating many chances to score.
New signing Dylan Bishop playing in a central midfield 3 played a great ball through to Leo Lord.
With Leo bearing down on goal a tackle by the Cobham center half looked as if the chance had gone but superb strength and persistence saw Leo through to score .
It had been decided on a hot morning to play play 3 x 20 mins rather than 2 x 30 to allow for drink breaks. With the first third ending with Cranleigh 1-0 up.The second third started in much the same vein with Cranleigh playing great football .Not many chances were created and it ended 0-0 with Cobham coming more into the game as Cranleigh appeared to be tiring. So the last third opened with Cranleigh still leading 1-0
As the game went on Cranleigh were visibly tiring and Cobham started to boss the game .
Determined defending by Harry Dancaster who had an amazing game and lead the defence were keeping them from scoring. With 5 mins to go Cobham broke down the left and crossed .
Isaac Denton Miller in goal diving full length could only manage to push the ball out which fell at the Cobham centre forwards feet who duly scored .
Heart break for the team who had battled so hard and for Isaac who hadent had that much to do all game .
Cobham could really sense the win and Cranleigh showed true heart battling for every ball .
With 2 minutes left Cobham broke through on goal and looked certain to score .
Isaac produced an unbelievable save turning the ball away from goal keeping it at 1-1.
The game finished 1-1 with the team having given their all and earning glowing commendations from the Cobham manager, not bad for their first game together.
Cranleigh had played very well all game with great passing and tackling . Being our first game a lack of match fitness cost us the win but we played together as a team and I am a very happy and proud coach .
Scorers – Leo Lord
Men of the match – Harry Dancaster absolute class in defence
Isaac Holt crunching tackling and great distribution
