⚽️ Ward
⚽️ Arnold

🅰️ J McDougall

Defeat on the road for CSKA as CRG twice came from behind to snatch all three points to close the gap to CSKA in 3rd.

The phases of play and the patterns of possession were on a whole very good. Despite a fairly poor standard pitch CSKA knocked it about nicely and built well from the back with Caine Ward, Josh McDougall and Olly Arnold all getting in behind on a few occasions.

Caine Ward’s looping effort gave CSKA the lead midway through the first half. 

CRG countered CSKA with a direct approach aiming to win flick-ons, but the back three of Bell, Williams and Westerman coped with the threat well, Manish Verma back in the side alongside Dan Danes covered the midfield runners.

A well placed free kick gave CRG an equaliser on the stroke of half time.

The second half was equally good in terms of possession throughout overall for CSKA, but a few times going forward there was a bit of indecisiveness or hesitation that stopped the visitors running away with the game.

Will McNamee’s introduction on 50 minutes boosted CSKA’s control of the midfield, and showed some great vision to find the wide men, which eventually put Josh McDougall into a dangerous position to deliver to Olly Arnold who’s excellent movement allowed him to finish with great composure.

A bolt out of the blue gave CRG another equaliser, followed by an unfortunate moment that saw CSKA down to 10 men when Dan Danes saw red for a professional foul.

Despite being a man short CSKA looked the better side and with the next few chances going to CSKA, McCafferty opted in favour of pushing for a winner rather than trying to protect the away point. A  well placed header in the last minute beat Tej Shah who himself had been excellent thoughout and really only beaten by three superb finishes.