Bouttier-Butler
Clarke
Ratan-Wright
Blount
Westerman
Roger

Grant
Payne
 Mistry
Ward

CSKA Carnabys returned to winning ways in the league with a 6-2 victory over Mossdale Rangers, although the side were left frustrated at allowing a commanding early lead to slip before pulling clear again in the second half.

The visitors took full advantage of an opposition side that arrived unprepared and short on warm-up time. Goals from Pascal Bouttier-Butler, Jasper Clarke and Tristan Ratan-Wright gave CSKA a 3-0 lead after just eight minutes, with Ratan-Wright then wrongly flagged offside as he looked to make it four early on. The returning Olly Arnold also saw a free-kick crash back off the crossbar.

As the game wore on, referee Lee Smart openly admitted to wanting to avoid the match getting out of hand, with several decisions beginning to go against CSKA. Combined with a failure to retain possession and play through the lines, this led to a frustrating period in which chances and goals dried up.

Mossdale pulled one back after a soft free-kick on the edge of the box, with the initial effort saved by Ben Lewin before the rebound was converted. Minutes later, a long punt from the Mossdale goalkeeper caused confusion at the back, allowing the striker to nip in and lob the stranded Lewin to make it 3-2.

The response was much improved compared to previous weeks. CSKA refocused quickly and ended the half strongly, with Will McNamee striking the bar from range, though many efforts were directed straight at the stand-in goalkeeper.

The key moment came early in the second half. After neat wide play from Dave Payne, his cross was spilled and tapped in by Jacob Blount for his ninth goal of the season, restoring a comfortable cushion.

Mossdale stepped up their intensity as the game progressed, but CSKA’s defence looked impenetrable, with the centre-backs cutting out most through balls and leaving Lewin with a relatively quiet morning.

Caine Ward made a brilliant impact from the bench, providing the assist for Matt Westerman to make it 5-2. But the standout introduction was Roger Huang, who found the net just 11 seconds after coming on at the restart of play to make it 6-2.

Chris McCafferty marked his 19th consecutive season of CSKA appearances in the closing minutes, though he was unable to add to his impressive free-kick tally when the opportunity arose.

With three wins from the opening five league games, the result keeps CSKA in a strong position as the table begins to take shape, and the management group will look to build on this performance moving forward.