CSKA’s Arthur Moore Cup campaign began in emphatic style with a 5-0 demolition of Division One side Enderby Social at Rawlins.

An unusual game was defined by the two youngest players at the club. Olly Arnold’s first half strike from 30 yards will take some beating in the Goal of the Season awards, shifting the ball out of his feet and striking clean with power right into the top right-hand corner.

His fellow 17 year old teammate, Matt Danes, was the star of the show today though. Having missed out last week through illness, he came off the bench with only 35 minutes remaining and sealed the victory. With The Mods down to ten men following the sending off of Gaz Walker, the second goal was crucial. Danes had gone agonising close with a bullet header just minutes after coming on, but then a nice ball from Brad Parker put him one-on-one with the keeper and tucked it away first time nicely. 

A counter-attack move started by Hiran Mistry’s challenge in the CSKA half fed Olly Arnold who committed the defence and played in Danes for his second. And then some nice unselfish play from Parker, laid the ball on a plate for Danes to tap in his third and complete a historic hat-trick, the first time in the club’s 15 year history that a substitute has come off the bench and scored three goals in a game.

Matt Danes was named Man of the Match for an incredible performance off the bench, reflecting not just his goals, but his match contribution through his trademark brand of neat quick passing in midfield.

The route was completed in injury time, Doneal Lionel’s long range shot cracked off the post and was followed up by Brad Parker who was thoroughly deserving of a goal after his earlier goal contributions.

It was a fitting way to mark CSKA’s 350th competitive fixture, showcasing what the future talent is looking like.