FC Bracknell 0-9 Curley Park Rangers All Stars

Firstly, as some of you may know, CPR played against Hartley Whitney on Tuesday night, with a win enough to clinch the title for the Blads.

However, a loss would've put the title race right back in the balance and would mean CPR would need to get at least 4 more points in their remaining 2 games.

And the worst case scenario happened. Hartley Whitney ran out 2-1 winners. In fairness it was probably the correct result, with CPR's depleted team coming under heavy pressure from Hartley Whitney throughout the game.

I apologise for not writing a match report specifically for that game, but this is how the table looks going into the final 2 games of the season.

AT THE TOP:

Team		P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Points
1	Hartley Wintney FC Youth	13	9	3	1	35	13	22	30
2	Curley Park Rangers Panthers	12	9	2	1	49	30	19	29
3	Wokingham & Emmbrook	14	8	2	4	37	26	11	26

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CPR travelled to Bracknell to play a side who after a good start, had fallen away into the bottom half of the table.

Here's the deal. Bourne Blades have given Hartley Whitney the points, which will go down as a 1-0 win. That means that CPR have to win against Bracknell by 4 or more goals in order to give themselves the opportunity to win the league with a draw against Camberley on Wednesday night.

In the reverse fixture CPR ran out 3-0 winners in what in truth was a very poor game, and CPR will be looking to win by more goals in order to give themselves the breathing space they need against Camberley on Wednesday night.

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

Subs: Dunnage, Finlay, Honeywood

Barby returned at LB after missing the last 3 games, and Morris partnered Nott in centre back due to Hastings' suspension. Goggin and Marsh were unavailable for the game, but CPR were buoyed by the returns of their influential attackers McMillan and Dunnage. Adolphous was still missing with an ankle injury.

The game started off with CPR attacking from left to right, and a poor start and meant they had to deal with some early pressure with numerous lapses of concentration in the early stages at the back.

Nevertheless CPR weathered this mini storm and took the lead after 5 minutes. A corner was not sufficiently cleared by Bracknell, and on hand to volley home was Stroud, with the ball hitting the back of the net despite the best attempts of a Bracknell defender on the line.

It wasn’t the greatest of starts for CPR but they got the early goal they so desperately needed. It laid the foundations to push forward and get some more and it was achieved roughly 10 minutes later, with Stroud getting on the score sheet again.

A ball through allowed Stroud to race away and with only the keeper to beat, he showed great composure to take it round him and convert into an empty net.

Despite being at the bottom and with nothing else to play for, Bracknell were threatening and had a number of chances to half the deficit. Amongst their best chances was a fizzing effort from the Bracknell right back that cannoned off the post, with the rebound being turned narrowly wide by a Bracknell attacker.

But Bracknell could not cope with CPR's route 1 football, and the home teams defence were all at sea. McMillan was the latest to get a chance, and he bagged CPR's third as he rolled the ball past the keeper when through on goal.

Even though CPR were 3-0 up and at this point cruising, they were not converting all their chances. CPR's top goal scorer McMillan was culpable for attempting a cheeky chip over the keeper on 2 occasions, and he could have scored a few more but spurned other chances either wide or over the bar. Stroud was also equally as guilty, as when one on one he overran the ball out of play instead of attempting a shot.

But this wasn't too important as CPR were evidently hungry for goals and were creating chances at will. Another through ball to McMillan was this time converted as he expertly despatched the ball past the keeper and into the corner of the net.

That's how it finished in the first half and barring a catastrophe, CPR were cruising to an easy victory. Despite the comprehensive score line at half time, it was essential that they maintained focus and add a few more goals to boost their goal difference.

The second half started with Bracknell seemed not putting in the same work ethic as they did in the first half. They looked demoralised and with their attitude towards the game quickly diminishing, CPR sensed an opportunity to turn the game into a proper rout.

And the 5th goal came as a shock to everyone watching the game, as the goal scorer came from an extremely unlikely source. RICE SCORED! The striker had gone through a barren run in front of goal, and his last legitimate goal came way back in last November. (Goals against Liss were wiped out due to them folding)

The ball swung in by Finlay eluded everyone and diving in at the back post in dramatic style was Rice, who made no mistake as he powered his header into the net. It was a well deserved goal from the hard-working forward, and he celebrated as if he had just scored the winner in a cup final.

Dunnage then made the score line 6-0, very fortuitously it must be said. After already hitting the bar from a corner, Dunnage resumed his duties as free kick taker. A free kick roughly 45 yards out was mishit, but the ball towards goal and looped over everyone before landing perfectly in the top corner.

Stroud got his hat trick roughly 25 minutes from time as he took the ball past the keeper and rolled into the net after he latched onto a good through ball from Dunnage, with the finish a carbon copy of his 2nd goal of the afternoon.

Despite being 7-0 down and on the wrong end of a hiding, all credit to the Bracknell players who didn't lose their discipline and maybe could've bagged a consolation if it weren't for a couple of good saves from Kevany.

But they had crumbled at the back and next to benefit was Finlay. The versatile utility man had been deployed at left midfield, and he was rewarded for a fine game with a goal.

A good move down the left saw Finlay break through and with the angle tight he still had a lot to do. But Finlay was determined to get his goal, and he powered his effort into the goal at the near post. Finlay was evidently delighted with his goal and celebrated with a Drogba-esc knee slide, receiving a bloody knee as a result.

To cap off the scoring was Dunnage on his return from injury, who bagged his second goal of the game in the process. He was found in acres of space by McMillan, and the former Reading player made no mistake as he lashed the ball in from roughly 10 yards to complete the rout.

That's how if finished, and CPR would be delighted with how the game went. They came with the goal of winning the game by at least 5 to ensure a draw was enough on Wednesday night, and they achieved that in clinical fashion with a 9-0 thrashing.

A great team performance means a man of the match was not given, but I would personally give the accolade to Finlay. He came on approximately 30 minutes in the game and put in an assured display on the left wing, and was rewarded with a goal to cap off a good personal performance.

On Wednesday night, the North East Hants Youth League concludes. A draw will be enough, but CPR want to end the season in style and win the title with a win.

But standing in their way is local rivals Camberley Town, who have the potential to ruin CPR's party. They so nearly overcame CPR last month, with CPR battling back from a 4-1 deficit to level the game at 4-4 and ensure both teams walked away with a share of the spoils. It's a local derby; both teams would be up for it and ANYTHING can happen.

Everyone get down to Krooner Park (Camberley) on Wednesday night as CPR conclude their season, and could win the league with a draw or better!

How it stands at the top:

Team		P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Points
1	Hartley Wintney FC Youth	14	10	3	1	36	13	23	33
2	Curley Park Rangers Panthers	13	10	2	1	58	30	28	32
3	Wokingham & Emmbrook	14	8	2	4	37	26	11	26