By CCFC Sid
October 15 2003

10,872 saw CCFC claim a victory over rock-bottom Wimbledon/Milton Keynes FC at the soon to be vacated(?) Highfield Road. Konjic was dropped to the bench, and the match also saw a Highfield Road return for McSheffrey - sadly though, sitting with the injured and non-selected, rather than in the squad. CCFC started brightly enough without really creating anything clear-cut, with the first real effort seeing Andy Morrell shoot just wide after 14 minutes. Barrett looked to have opened the scoring for CCFC after 20 minutes, but his effort hit the post. Mansouri latched onto the rebound, but sadly blazed over when it seemed far easier to score.

The game deteriorated as the half drew to a close, with Wimbledon finishing slightly the stronger of the two sides. They looked close to getting past CCFC's defence on a number of occasions, but the obvious skill and trickery of their midfield and attack (Holdsworth, rather obviously, not included in this compliment!) lacked an end product though (Thankfully!).

Morrell was booked for a dive on the stroke of half-time - a decision which looked slightly harsh, as it seemed he was more intent on avoiding a good clattering rather than seeking an unfair advantage! While he was going slightly wide of the keeper, he was still in control of the ball, and, being as predatory as he is, would be unlikely to give up the chance to add to his goals tally for the season.

Mansouri was replaced by Pead at half-time.

CCFC started the second half well, with Barrett going close after unselfish work from Morrell, and Morrell had a header well saved after 51 minutes. Two minutes later, a superb Nowland strike from distance had Shearer well beaten, but, unfortunately for the Dons, his effort hit the inside of the post before rebounding behind the keeper and out to safety.

After 55 minutes an excellent Safri free-kick was tipped over by Heald.

On 63 minutes, a long raking pass stuck under the feet of a Wimbledon defender, and Craig Pead nipped in to take the ball off him before beating Heald with a superb chip - a worthy winner for any match.

Holloway had tried on two previous occasions to get himself an early bath (The first attempt after a mere 17 minutes, when he pulled Jorgensen back as he looked to go clean through on goal), and finally managed it after 70 minutes, receiving a second yellow card for pulling Morrell back.

CCFC were guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net after 77 minutes, with three players guilty of said crime, and they were nearly made to pay a minute later, as another long range Wimbledon effort after 78 minutes saw Shearer pull of an excellent save. Shooting from distance was a definite Dons tactic, obviously having cited this as the CCFC keepers weakness.

Konjic replaced Staunton a minute later, with the Bosnian receiving the sort of greeting that must have cheered him slightly after his international disappointment last weekend.

Adebola moved out to the left after the Dons went down to 10 men, and probably enjoyed the most productive few minutes of his entire (Short) CCFC career! He created chances after 81, 82, and 83 minutes, with CCFC unable to score the vital goal that would have killed off the game.