Paul Muzzall today showed why he is still the number one keeper for CCK with a string of fine saves to help the Badgers secure three points and maintain their good start to the season. Manager Mike Melville-Reed had a boast with the return to the lineup of centre halfs Jacob Fortescue and Mike Spence-Ben Tucker had recovered from his injury sustained in the previous fixture and Charlie Jones replaced the injured Nathan Wigglesworth.
The game started with both teams pressing, with Jones and Matt Vitty linking well and creating a few problems for the Falcons defence. At the other end Paul Muzzall was called into action dealing with a couple of set pieces comfortably. On 16 minutes CCK got the early breakthrough, a pin point, Mike Spence, throw-in found Matt Vitty who nodded in his third of the season from 8 yards. Falcons then applied a fair amount of concerted pressure and for a ten minute spell CCK seemed to lose their way but the back four were dealing admirably with the pressure. However it was The Badgers who claimed a second goal on thirty minutes when an inch perfect pass from Josh Riumble-Brown found Matt Vitty who still had work to do but with close control slid it pass the Falcons Keeper for his second of the game and forth of the campaign. CCK then started to dominate the game with Matt Vitty again going close again as he rounded the keeper, after a great ball from Rumble only to see a defender slide the ball away to safety on the goal line. The second half saw Falcons dominate possession and yet initially it was CCK who had the best of the chances With Mike Preston volleying a shot from 20 yards onto the crossbar. Charlie Jones saw a good skilful run saved by the Falcons keeper-As the game grew there was a sense that CCK required a third goal to kill the game but as the half went on so Falcons grew in confidence and a string of saves from Keeper Muzzall kept the two goal advantage. the highlights were a rasping shot spectacularly turned over the bar and a shot across the goal turned around the post-there was also some stout defending from Mike Spence, Jacob Fotescue, Gary Walke and Ben Tucker and Captian Dave Sewell. With 20 minutes to go manager Melville-Reed Bought on Jonny Cassell for his first start of the season with the hard working Charlie Jones making way-The CCK substitute moved into a five man midfield with Matt Vitty operating as a loan striker, in an attempt to stop Falcons over running the Badgers midfield. There was also a ten minute appearance for Colin Swimburne coming on for Mike Preston- The game saw CCK hold on to the 2-0 victory to maintain their 100 % start to the season. Manager Mike Melville-Reed was quick to sing the praises of his team and in particular keeper Muzzall “We earned that out there every player worked their socks off and I couldn’t have asked anymore from them effort wise the defence were solid and as for Muzz, you don’t win two league titles and reach two cup finals without being a great keeper-but every player out there is doing their upmost to keep us top of the league.” Defender Mike Spence added “What a game!! 2-0 win, top of the league, first clean sheet, 3 wins out of 3. CCKFC make a great start to the season!!”
