League Match - 12th September 2009

Cars kicked off their 2009/10 League campaign with one of their longest away trips at Old Esthamians. Having had a reasonable pre-Season campaign, confidence in the camp was high. However with 4 key players missing, the last thing we needed was any last minute pull outs. When a couple of players failed to show, we were looking like making the trip with 10 men plus Wiggy. After some last minute re-shuffling, we managed to pick up an 11^th man, Terry Cave, who stepped up to make his 1^st team debut. Despite this last minute drama, we still expected to push Esthameians all the way.

The game got under way with lots of possession in the middle of the pitch and chances were at a premium throughout the opening exchanges. The centre midfield duo of Scott Poullier and Dave Tilley began to see more of the ball and this resulted in Cars taking more of a control of the game, especially down the left side where James Horton and Kev Macleod were causing problems. Having had to weather a period of several corners and free kicks, Cars created the 1^st real goal scoring opportunity with Alex Corner firing over from close range. At the other end, Cars defence was beginning to become more stretched but Dan McCulloch and Tom Ritchie were able to keep the strikers at bay. At Right Back Terry Cave was coping exceptionally well with a tricky winger.

Just before the half time whistle, Cars were desperately unlucky not to open the scoring. A crisp passing move involving several players resulted in a clever ball from Corner finding Simon Clare, who’s early strike across the keeper rebounded off the post and away to safety. 0-0 at half time and Cars were marginally edging a tight encounter.

The second half began and from the whistle Cars attacked, with Richard Webb, who saw little of the ball in the 1^st half, beginning to get more and possession. The majority of the early attacks came down our right, and one of these led to an Esthameians defender handling in the Area, Penalty. Clare confidently stepped up and placed the ball to the keeper’s right. The keeper guessed correctly and pulled off a tidy save to keep the game scoreless. Cars, not letting their heads drop, continued to press and force a number of corners and free kicks around the box. Each set piece caused problems with us hitting the bar from a corner and it was from one free kick Poullier glanced a near post header over the keeper and into the back of the net. 1-0 Cars and well deserved.

Having taken the lead we should have pushed on and secured the 3 point, but Esthameians streamed forward seeking the equalizer. We were dealing with the pressure however and looked comfortable and Esthameians were becoming desperate, but with under 10 minutes left they managed to find an equalizer. A ball to their right winger found him in space (offside perhaps) who squared for the striker to tap in.

The remainder of the game was played out with neither team having any chances of note and the score finish 1-1.

We played really well and probably deserved to take all 3 points. The defence looked solid and we controlled the midfield and always looked dangerous going forward. Given the absentees, we probably would have settled for a point at kick off. If we can replicate this form for the rest of the season, we should have a good one.