A thrilling Easter Sunday clash between 2nd and 3rd in Division One, but one that unfortunately resulted in another defeat on the road for CSKA. 

A game that at one point looked threatened with postponement, as the appointed referee clearly struggled with the switch to BST, turned into a greatly contested game of football that saw Top House take the spoils after two second half goals.

Unavailability at late drop outs meant that CSKA were down to a squad of only 12 with just minutes to kick off. The delayed kick off allowed Bav Gangajalia and Ryan Horn to join up with the first team to join Goalkeeper Phil Luengtin on the bench.

A makeshift back three with Chris McCafferty and Dan Danes accompanying the only available recognised Defender available Mark Bell. Roger Huang was immediately into the starting line up after an impressive first training session, and James Lewis led the line in attack after impressing in last week’s friendly. 

CSKA controlled most of the first half, and created the better chances. A long range effort from Hiran Mistry was saved by the Top House returning goalkeeper, and Roger Huang had a great effort from outside the box tipped wide again by the goalkeeper. Both Olly McDougall and Caine Ward followed the briefing superbly and stretched the pitch out to allow lots of space in the middle for both Huang and the roaming Dave Payne, who looked in great form today. Ruben Capp was back starting in the CSKA midfield allowed their midfielder no room to advance and join attacks, meaning that the CSKA back line comfortably contained the two young brothers in attack. Ruben himself came close to scoring when his flicked head on a Caine Ward cross was well saved. Patterns of play on the right channel between Mark Bell and Caine Ward and then the midfielders were allowing us to get out of danger with relative ease and the first half drew to an end at 0-0.

Top House changed their attacking players at half time and added a bit more of a physical presence, but the forward passes were either overhit or superbly cleared up by Tej Shah with some exceptional sweeper play. Debutant James Lewis started to get involved in the play coming into pockets to collect the ball and linking up well with Roger and Olly. The deadlock was broken however on 55 minutes, as Top House finally timed a run to perfection to get one-on-one with Tej who stood tall but the shot agonisingly crept in off the post. A sluggish 10 minutes followed with CSKA not really able to get the ball up the pitch or keep if there, but everyone on the pitch showed real hunger and determination to press and compete for every loose ball, meaning that despite their best period of the game, Top House were also struggling to keep the ball, and were either finding Tej with through passes, or attempting ambitious long range efforts.

CSKA pushed forward as the game went on, Hiran Mistry continuing his recent good form and was superb in possession. Dave Payne and Caine Ward both created great chances when they got in behind but unfortunately no one got on the end of some great crosses. The best chance of the second half then fell to James Lewis whose shot went narrowly over the bar after a neat turn to make space for himself. 

The game was put to bed on 83 minutes when an in-swinging corner was heading directly in only to be saved by Tej, but the rebound fell kindly to the No-Number Centre-Back to nod it in for 2-0. 

Fine margins today, but certainly a performance worthy of the club.