Hartley Whitney 2-3 CPR All Stars

Curly Park opened their league campaign and maintained their winning streak with a spirited 3-2 victory over Hartley Whitney. CPR decided to keep a winning formula and therefore went into the game with an unchanged team.

The team lined up as follows:
GK: Kevany LB: Barby CB: Hastings CB: Nott RB: Marsh CM: Rolt CM: Adolphous LM: Parslow RM: Stroud CF: Rice ST: Lloyd- Bisley

Subs: McMillan, Finlay, Goggin, Watson, Ross

The game started off with neither side able to take a stranglehold on the game, but the football played by both sides, in particular by Hartley Whitney, was pleasing to watch.

Curley Park however soon found themselves under the cosh, and numerous clearances off the line by Luke Marsh, George Hastings and Will Barby kept Hartley Whitney at bay.

But Curley Park were not going to roll over and then had a good passage of play themselves, and were equally unlucky to not go into half time a goal or two up. Josh Rice and James Stroud were combining well down the right, and the former was agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after nearly getting on the end of a fizzing ball put into the box by Stroud.

CPR also had a massive shout for a penalty when Rice went down in the box after a challenge from behind, only for the ref to wave away CPR's protests. Following on from the penalty appeals Lloyd-Bisley had a good chance saved by the keeper and out for a corner, but the referee, who was showing signs of pressure, inexplicably gave a goal kick.

The half ended with many dubious decisions made by the referee, who infuriated the CPR team as many clear decisions seemed to go against them.

The second half started with a bang and CPR soon took the lead. During the half time break Ken had instructed the blads to use the flanks to better use, and this instruction led to the first goal. Parslow found space down the left, and after ghosting past two half hearted tackles, stroked the ball home past the on rushing keeper.

CPR were now firmly on top and could've made it two shortly after. Hastings put the ball in the box from a set play and the cross was met by the leaping Stroud, who watched in despair as his header cannoned off the bar.

But Stroud made amends soon after, latching onto a flick on by Rolt and finished with aplomb, turning a defender and rifling the ball past the keeper at his near post.

But CPR seemed to drift off to sleep and conceded two goals in quick succession, Kevany left stranded as he could do nothing with either and prevent Hartley Whitney from pegging back CPR from two goals down.

The score line really could've been more if it weren't for a gutsy display from Kevany in goal, who kept Hartley Whitney out time and time again with some impressive stops. Despite heavy pressure from Hartley Whitney, Kevany stood up to the task and repelled everything that came at him, including brilliantly tipping a long range effort onto the bar.

George Hastings also made a terrific block to deny the Hartley Whitney striker, who had the goal at his mercy from all of 4 yards out. But Hastings leapt through the air and heroically diverted the ball out for a corner, ensuring the score line stayed at 2-2.

But CPR fought back valiantly, and soon started created chances of their own once again. Connor McMillan, who had earlier been subbed minutes after coming on after having a confrontation with an opponent, had a chance to restore CPR's lead, but his lob was too low and the keeper was able to gather the ball with ease.

But McMillan kept working and his work rate paid off when he found himself one on one with the keeper with 5 minutes to go, and he showed great composure in sliding the ball into the net.

The CPR defence held firm for the remaining 5 minutes, leaving CPR ecstatic not only with the hard fought 3-2 victory over a decent Hartley Whitney side, but also to start their league campaign off with a win.

A great battling performance was rewarded with a win for CPR, who defied the odds to overcome a strong Hartley Whitney side. Man of the match undoubtedly went to CPR keeper Charles Kevany, who matched everything that was thrown at him and arguably alone won the 3 points for Curley Park.