CARDEA SWIM AS LEVERINGTON GET STUCK IN THE MUD

The reserves travelled to a double digit PE postcode for the third time in 4 weeks, this time into the sights and sounds of the fens, through the glorious Fenland Market Town that is Wisbech and into the sleepy little village of Leverington (population 3,339 according to the 2011 census).

You can’t blame all but 12 of the locals for not wanting to come out and support their local team, the weather was horrific, cold, windy and rainy. The weather an appropriate summary of the journey out to the middle of the “arse end of nowhere” (A. Stacey, 2018), which saw many of the Cardea players late for the 1pm meet time, the last of the squad arriving at around about 20 minutes before kick off. This late arrival was not a massive issue for this game, as there was no referee. It was agreed that Assistant Manager Lee Jacobs and one of the members of the Leverington staff would officiate the game, taking one half each (more to come on this later).

Despite the poor preparation, Cardea took the lead 6 minutes in, a fantastic driving run down the left from Adam Stacey struck fear into the Leverington defence who did not want to make a tackle on the experienced front man. He drove into the box and fired through the legs of the keeper at his near post to put Cardea ahead, scoring from more familiar territory than last week (inside the 6 yard box).

Three minutes later it was 2, a ball over the top was dealt with poorly by the Leverington right back, and under pressure from Wayne “Nuggs” Ward, he attempted to play the ball back to his keeper. This plan was not the best idea from the defender, as his keeper attempted to control the ball, and let the ball slide past him into the far corner for 2-0.

The pressure continued to build from Cardea, the majority of this pressure seemed to be coming from referee Lee Jacobs, as Leverington continued to berate the referee for not giving any decisions their way. When it was pointed out that they needed the ball to have more free kicks given their way, the abuse towards the referee quietened, and they concentrated on getting the ball back themselves.

This didn’t work either, and Leverington were back in the referee’s ear again when Stacey grabbed his second of the game, this effort was once again outside the area! 2 in 2 weeks for the striker, this was far less deliberate though.

Chelsea Ultra, Travel Enthusiast and Job Journeyman Dan Robinson opted for a pop shot from around 25 yards out, after travelling about 3 yards, the ball deflected off the rear end of Stacey and the keeper once again did not cover himself in glory, spilling the ball over the line for 3-0. This of course was the referee’s fault, and Leverington’s community service player, almost certainly a relation to Andrew “Fwags” James, let Jacobs know that the goal should not stand, because it was unfair to Leverington that a Cardea staff member was officiating the game.

Leverington grabbed a goal towards the end of the first half when Andrew Yeomans spilled a shot from the moaning number 10, and Big Brother 9 contestant (and first Head of the House) Darnell (pictured) was able to tap in from close range to give Leverington a foothold in the game at 3-1.

Half time came, and a change of officials. Jacobs handed over the whistle to the Leverington manager, who took to the field wearing Jeans, a black skiing coat and texting on his phone with a lit fag. This was a sign of things to come as the game quickly discended into chaos. Resembling the opening moments of the football match in Mean Machine. Prison rules didn’t quite cut the physicality on display.

The “Referee” eventually gave a free kick on the edge of the Leverington box, 20 minutes after the half began after Rob Dempsey was fouled. Glen Read, who was making his first Cardea start and had been superb in the first half claimed the responsibility and did not disappoint, placing the ball calmly into the corner of the net from 25 yards, restoring Cardea’s 3 goal cushion.

It was 5 minutes later when the Leverington players were calling for Jacobs, who had refereed the first half so poorly in their opinion, to retake control of the game. As a Leverington corner was floated in, it seemed like the ball would be cleared at the far post by Andrew James, it was at this point the referee (Leverington’s Manager) climbed highest to get his head on the ball, also clattering James in the process. The ball went behind for a goal kick, James received treatment (eventually) and Jacobs re-took control of the game, Leverington players clearly embarrassed by the oaf like behaviour of their “manager”.

Cardea were still controlling the game at this point, and Josh Sieley who was making his return from injury increased their lead on 71 minutes. Stuart Lee played the ball through to him down the left hand side, Sieley broke into the box and fired past the keeper who was having a day to forget.

It got even worse for Leverington when Sieley once again went through down the left hand side, this time he was fouled by a defender and a penalty was given. Of course this was only given because of the refereeing situation, the fact that Sieley was almost dispatched into a nearby field during the foul was totally irrelevant.

Captain James Roberts stepped up and duly converted what is being talked about as one of the best penalties in Cardea’s recent history, sending the keeper the wrong way, firing the ball into the opposite corner with power. Truly, the penalty had everything, god it was good, regardless of situation, poor goalkeeping on display and conditions, Zidane would have been proud of it.

When Jacobs FINALLY awarded Leverington a free kick in the 88th minute, the captain, who was widely regarded as a very nice man, put his free kick through the very minute Cardea wall (Rob Dempsey at 5 ft 10 ish the tallest player in the wall) and into the bottom corner.

6-2 was the final score, with Cardea extending their good run, and they will look to welcome back manager Richard Kay, who returns from his touchline ban next week, with another good performance and 3 more points.

Man of the Match was Glen Read, who controlled the pace of the game, took his free kick well and was a part of every meaningful attack that Cardea put together. Not a bad debut!

Co- Manager Dave Hardingham reflected on the result, whilst pushing some serious tin during a chest and triceps workout on Monday night:

“Excellent intensity from the off from the whole team, we pressed the opposition into mistakes and capitalised on them ruthlessly. We held our nerve during some ropey points in the middle third of the game but started and finished strongly which was reflected in the score line. We spoke before the game about keeping the ball and controlling the tempo, and for large swathes of the match we did that, great to see us start to play as a team and turn those performances into much deserved wins. Great effort from the lads.”

Next up for the Ressies is a home game this Saturday against Hampton A at Middletons Road, Yaxley.