Cringleford went into the game fresh after a couple of weeks rest and off the back of two good home victories which had left them in sitting firmly in second and needing to win on this positively warm afternoon to guarantee themselves second spot. Following the corresponding away fixture Cringleford knew they were in for a tough game if they were to guarantee themselves that all important second spot.
The game got off to a lively start and Cringleford had the better of the early exchanges. Payne and Wilson started to boss the centre of midfield. A rare appearance by Massood upfront nearly paid dividends early on when he broke free of the defence only to see his low drive athletically saved by the stand in Wymondham ‘keeper (their normal ‘keeper injuring himself in the warm up – it’s great to note that Tim Pooley no longer solely holds that distinction!) Fairman looked lively up front but never really got any clear cut chances. In fact one of the best chances in the first half fell to Steve as he marauded forward and after a one two, found himself with a shooting opportunity only to put the corner flag under more pressure than the ‘keeper.
After 20 minutes Cringleford needed to reshuffle when Ecky “pulled something” after exerting himself too much trying to cross the ball. On came Fez in his place for the remainder of the half.
Wymondham were no mugs and played the ball about with crisp one touch passing and movement off the ball which at times enabled them to walk through the Cringleford midfield, yet they found the defence was made of sterner stuff with Shaul, Dennis, Bartlett and Jennings not allowing them any space. On the occasions when they did get beyond the defence they shot woefully wide, headed over from close range and found Alan, the Cringleford ‘keeper equal to their efforts.
Cringleford got the breakthough after thirty minutes when Massood was dragged down on the edge of the box. Wilson curled the ball cleverly beyond the ‘keeper and into the back of the net much to the consternation of several Cringleford players who sniffed a rebound opportunity. One – nil to the Cringleford.
Fairman keen to get off the mark went on an excellent solo run and intent on not only scoring, but on winning “goal of the season” struck a thunderbolt from 25 yards only to see it cruelly bounce off the post and Cringleford turned round one up.
In the second half Fez was replaced by Nick Skipper on the right. Cringleford had most of the possession, plenty of corners but failed to make the pressure tell and as the game wore on you felt that Wymondham were working their way back into it.
The lively Payne and Fairman broke free of the defence only for Fairman to hog the ball and shoot over from close range. It looked as though it may prove a costly miss as Wymondham went close from a narrow angle. Wilson went off with a hamstring injury and a problem with a protruding grey hair – no doubt the first of many. Wymondham sensed it was now or never and pushed extra players up front, Cringleford reshuffled and pulled Dave Sharred back, in front of the back four and Fez on again, it resembled a game of chess. You got the feeling that if Wymondham had a kitchen sink on the bench they would have thrown it upfront as well.
The Cringleford back four soaked up the pressure and with ten minutes to go Cringleford broke through the Wymondham defence with an “Arsenalesque” passing move on the box which ended with Fez selflessly handing it on a platter for Massood to slot coolly past the ‘keeper. Two – nil to Cringleford and effectively gameover.
There was still enough time for Eddie and Huw to wind up a couple of Wymondham players and for the now obligatory Phil Shaul run into the opposition half only for Richard Fairman not to pass to him!
All in all a good day at the office, a clean sheet, wound up opponents, and second place in the league guaranteed. The only blot on the copy book were the injuries to Wilson and Ecky, let’s hope they make a speedy recovery in time for the defence of the Senior’s Cup (which incidentally was found where Dave Sharred left it, in the pub, still with a few dregs of Adnams in it!).
