CPR All Stars 4-4 Camberley Town

Derby day. Everyone wants to get an upper hand on their rivals, and this was the epitome of a typical derby match; with passion and commitment rife.

Curley Park Rangers hosted local rivals Camberley Town to the fortress, where the home team were looking to extend their lead at the top of the table over Wokingham and Hartley Whitney; who clashed in a double header today.

Camberley were coming off the back off an impressive 4-1 mauling of Wokingham, whereas CPR were grinding out results in recent weeks, making this game have all the ingredients of a classic, despite the contrast in league position.

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

Subs: Goggin, Finlay, Rice, Nott, McMillan

The only notable changes on the team sheet was Barby filling in for Goggin at left back and Lloyd-Bisley given a starting berth at the expense of Rice up front. CPR also welcomed back influential striker McMillan, who had previously been 6 weeks out with a knee injury.

The game started off as you'd expect, at an electric pace whereby both sides were showing commitment and neglecting their ability to play aesthetically pleasing football.

The breakthrough went to CPR who were awarded a dubious penalty for shirt pulling on Stroud. Nevertheless, Dunnage composed himself and rolled the ball past the keeper to give an early advantage to the leagues leading side.

However, CPR were by no means playing their best football and for the first time this season could not physically dominate the game.

The away team threatened when a mistake by Kevany let the Camberley striker through, but Hastings got back well to make a dramatic last ditch tackle to prevent the ball from entering the net.

But Curley Park did not get so lucky moments later, and it was soon all square. Another catastrophic error by Kevany allowed the same Camberley striker to go through on goal, and this time he composed himself and rolled the ball into the net.

Curley Park really had a game on their hands, but they weren't showing the same desire as Camberley and this was costing them on the pitch.

After numerous threats from throw ins, whereby the Camberley centre back could easily throw the ball to the back post, Camberley managed to take the lead.

A throw in was not sufficiently cleared, and the ball looped to the back post. A header from a Camberley player was well saved by Kevany, but he palmed it straight to the unfortunate Stroud, and the ball bounced off him and bobbled into the net.

That's how the half finished, and it really was a dismal first half from CPR. They had been beaten at their own game, and Camberley were nullifying Curley parks attacking threats to great effect.

Rice came on for Lloyd-Bisley for the only change at half time, in addition to Goggin who had replaced Barby earlier on in the half.

But this did not initially spur Curley Park on, and they re-started the second half the way they finished the first; drastically off form.

Their defensive frailties were beginning to be exposed, the midfielders could not get a foothold on the game and the attackers were not getting the service needed to threaten.

With CPR not having a shot on target for a considerable amount of time, they soon found themselves 4-1 down after more calamitous defending.

The third was scored after the right midfielder was in acres of space, and his shanked his shot fell to a Camberley attacker and he tapped in at the back post.

The 4th followed soon after, the Camberley team cutting through the CPR back line before the left winger dispatched the ball past Kevany and into the top corner.

It really could've been worse as a ball in hit Stroud in the face in his own penalty area, but Kevany somehow managed to pull off a wonder save to half atone for his previous errors.

But then the turning point, the return of McMillan. The Scottish forward, who was sporting a knee brace, had been out for 6 weeks and his presence had been sorely missed, and he seemed to make his return at just the right time.

As soon as he came on with roughly 25 minutes to go CPR found a new lease of life, showing fight and commitment and they were beginning to overrun Camberley in all areas of the field.

A nod on from Stroud released McMillan and he gave CPR a lifeline as he chipped the ball expertly into the net to cut the deficit to 2.

CPR had their tails up and now looked a team who believed in themselves and this was reflected on the pitch as they doubled their efforts to complete a fight back.

And soon Camberley’s lead was only 1. McMillan found time and space in the box and he volleyed past the keeper with ease.

Could Curley Park complete their comeback?

The answer was yes. And it came from the trusty left boot of Dunnage.

Adolphous, Stroud and Rice combined very well down the right flank in a rare passing move for CPR, and the latter was eventually taken down just outside the box.

After deliberation with Lloyd-Bisley and Stroud, the onus was given to Dunnage, who they hoped would replicate his power free kick against Camberley Boys.

Remarkably, he did. Dunnage stepped up, and he unleashed a rocket of a strike that fizzed past the keeper, who didn’t move, and into the bottom corner. Unstoppable.

The comeback was complete, but could CPR muster one last goal to cap off a dramatic victory?

McMillan had a chance but blazed over, and Adolphous also had a decent long range strike well saved.

There was only one team in the game at this point, and it was remarkable how a game had been completely turned on its head, with Camberley looking as if they were going to come away with a loss in a game that they were cruising in for 65 minutes.

The only chance of the last 5 minutes fell to Stroud, and if it were not for an incredible diving save from his flicked on header, he would've won all 3 points for his side.

But it was not to be, and I think either side would be content with coming away with a point.

Although Camberley dominated the game for roughly 65 minutes, they really crumbled in the last 25, and all credit to the CPR team for finding the fight they needed to complete what could be a vital comeback, given how close it may turn out to be at the top of the table.

All credit must be given to Camberley, they took the game to Curley Park and very nearly reaped the rewards for their all action performance, but faltered so close to the finishing line.

The match was also played in a good manner, with the game not remembered for a nasty tackle, but for a highly competitive game whereby both sides gave it their all.

Man of the match was not allocated to anyone, but personally I would give it to McMillan. Nothing was happening for CPR until his arrival, but his introduction marked a turning point in the game, and CPR would undoubtedly not be walking away with a point if it wasn’t for him.

Although this may seem like 2 points dropped on paper, in reality it can be considered a point gained, and this point could be vital considering Wokingham and Hartley Whitney met in a double header today, with the outcome surely going to have a huge impact on the table.