Cardea's winning streak is ended by Fenland Police

Ringwood Playing Fields in Bretton was the location for the game and the weather was in stark contrast to the rain of the week before as the sun shone down. New signing Tiago Rodrigues made his debut and started the game in goal.

Rodrigues was soon in the action as a long kick from him was headed on by right winger Tom Rimes and Tom Broughton took a snap shot that was well blocked and put out for a corner.

With ten minutes gone Rodrigues was called into action when a through ball saw the Fenland striker through one on one, despite the offside flag going up, but the keeper rushed out to save the ball at his feet.

Fenland Police started to gain control of the game and were putting heavy pressure on the Cardea defence. Fenland nearly took the lead from a corner but Adam Simons threw his body in the way to block the goal bound shot, shortly after Simons had to be brought off.

Cardea then forced a corner of their own and it was played to Mike Dandrilli, whose shot went wide. It was then Fenland's turn to take a corner and on this occasion a header was cleared off the line by Michael Moulds.

The deadlock was broken by Fenland Police just after the half hour mark when the ball was switched to the Fenland right and the winger ran the ball into the box and finished with a strong shot.

It was 2-0 just before half time when the ball was played through and, despite there being a strong shout for offside, the attacker chipped the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. It nearly got worse for Cardea moments later when Fenland were one on one again but Rodrigues came to the rescue saving with his feet.

At half time the formation was changed to a 4-3-3 with Simons coming back on and Tom Greetham coming on up front to add some much needed height to the attack. Michael Williams went into midfield with Tom Rimes joining Tony Harper at centre back.

Cardea made a strong start to the second half after the changes and captain Daryl Patrick almost reduced the deficit with a shot that was well saved. Then Cardea won a free kick 25 yards out after a foul on Greetham. Williams struck it towards the top corner and the keeper had to tip it over.

Patrick found himself in a good position again five minutes later and this time his shot was blocked away for a corner. Cardea were leaving space at the back though and this was nearly punished but thanks to a save from Rodrigues, a brave header by Harper and some help from the crossbar the score remained at 2-0.

Patrick was causing the Fenland defence all kinds of problems with his runs from midfield and he was in the action again when he was fouled just on the edge of the area in a central position. He picked himself up, took the free kick himself and curled it into the corner of the goal. 2-1 now with twenty minutes remaining.

Despite the goal Cardea never seemed to push on and give the Fenland defence many more problems. Fenland Police thought they had scored a 3rd on 80 minutes when they were 2 on 1 but the goal was ruled out for offside.

They did, however, extend their lead minutes later when a free kick 30 yards from goal was chipped into the box and the Fenland player found himself in all kinds of space to nod past the keeper.

Cardea still kept fighting though and they got a second goal when a defensive clearance from Simons found Dandrilli who played in Tom Broughton and the striker rounded to keeper to tap in his 4th goal in 4 games.

But it was too little, too late and ref Paul Osbourne brought the game to a finish and it confirmed Cardea's first defeat of the season. Fenland Police climbed above them and took top spot in Division 3.

After the game manager Craig Robinson said: "Our first half performance let us down, we were second best to everything and gave them too much time on the ball.

"Switching to a 4-3-3 at half time made a real difference and we were the better team second half and the goal that separated us was a defensive error that allowed a free header 4 yards out. Having Willy in midfield gave us a lot of possession and Dazza drove us on for attacks.

"Onwards and upwards to next week when we need to bounce back. Some people need to have a look at their attitudes, we're a team and that doesn't mean you will play week in week out. Different games need different formations. If you're a sub you're meant to support the team not pick faults with the player playing in your position."

The man of the match was awarded to Daryl Patrick for a typical captain's performance which tried to drive the team on in the second half.

Next up for Cardea is another tough game against Halcyon next Sunday.