Free Webs · Web viewThe midfielder was afforded a surprising amount of space to take a touch from a left wing cross and poke the ball past the goalkeeper from close range. It was

CCP FC SixesJuly 2008- September 2010

Wednesday Evening Leagueat Truro College

Squad List (Sorted by Appearances / Goals / Clean Sheets / Alphabet)

Ryan COOPERDF

191 appearances,1 goal (<1%),73 clean sheets (41%)5 / 8 penalties scored (63%)Most Clean Sheets

Jonathan LEEDF

136 appearances,0 goals (<1%),52 clean sheets (38%)0 / 1 penalties scored

Scott LETHBRIDGEFW

133 appearances,11 goals (8%),45 clean sheets (34%)1 / 2 penalties scored (50%)

Rob PARKERGK

132 appearances,0 goals,52 clean sheets (39%)

James DOWERMF, DF

119 appearances,5 goals (4%),46 clean sheets (39%)

Lee ALBERTSMF

117 appearances,106 goals (91%),45 clean sheets (38%)7 / 9 penalties scored (78%)Top Scorer

Tristan LAITYDF, MF


Scott LAITYDF


Glen COOPERFW


James FINDLAYMF


Jamie MOLYNEAUXDF


Aaron WALLACEFW


Daniel FORDFW


Daniel JOHNSFW


John DUNSTANDF


Ben MINNSGK


Stephen WILLIAMSFW

7 appearances,1 goal (14%),2 clean sheets (29%)

Matt "BUFFON"GK


"BEEF"GK


Adrian PALMERDF

4 appearances,0 goals (0%),1 clean sheet (25%)

Paul HERRINGMF

2 appearances,0 goals (0%),1 clean sheet (50%)

July-November 2008 SeasonChampionship League Table:

Final League Table:P W D L F A GD Pts.

22 9 7 6 18 13 5 34

Champions League:

http://soccernights.com/portal/index.php?action=panel&league=16&division=70

P W D L F A GD Pts.

10 3 3 4 6 6 0 12

Progress in Cup Competition:SNIFA Cup Semi Finals

Squad List (Sorted by Appearances, Goals, Alphabet):Position(s): Position(s):

Tristan LAITY28 appearances,1 goal (4%),14 clean sheets (50%)

DF, MF, GK Ryan COOPER27 appearances,0 goals,13 clean sheets (48%)

DF

Rob PARKER27 appearances,0 goals,12 clean sheets (44%)

GK Jonathan LEE24 appearances,0 goals,12 clean sheets (50%)

MF, DF

Daniel FORD22 appearances,6 goals (27%),12 clean sheets (55%)

MF, FW Jim MOLYNEAUX22 appearances,5 goals (23%),11 clean sheets (50%)

DF

Scott LAITY19 appearances,2 goals (11%),9 clean sheets (47%)

DF, GK, FW Glen COOPER18 appearances,4 goals (22%),11 clean sheets (61%)

FW, MF

James FINDLAY9 appearances,2 goals (22%),3 clean sheets (33%)

MF Stephen WILLIAMS5 appearances,1 goal (20%),1 clean sheet (20%)

FW

Scott LETHBRIDGE5 appearances,0 goals,2 clean sheets (40%)

MF Daniel JOHNS2 appearances,1 goal (50%),1 clean sheets (50%)

FW

Paul HERRING2 appearances,0 goals1 clean sheets (50%)

MF Colin WEIR2 appearances,0 goals,2 clean sheets (100%)

GK

Tom LYTH1 appearance,1 goal (100%),0 clean sheets

MF Ben MINNS1 appearance,0 goals,1 clean sheet (100%)

GK

Steve ???1 appearance,0 goals,0 clean sheet

FW

Results:

16th July 2008:Game 1-

CCP FC 0-1 The Pilgrims

Game 2-

CCP FC 1-0 Golden Retrievers

Daniel Johns

Johnser strikes a powerful shot that the goalkeeper gets something on but cannot keep out of the net. 1-0

23rd July 2008:Game 3-

CCP FC 1-0 Heron Hackers

Glen Cooper 17 (0 - 0)

Fordy lofts a ball out right of centre to Rocky, who flicks a header down into the path of Glen on the left. Glen then shrugs off the defender and clips a spinning half volley into the bottom right hand corner.

GK: Tristan Laity, DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Glen Cooper, Daniel Ford, CF: Stephen Williams. SUBS: Paul Herring.

Game 4-CCP FC 0-1 Axel FC

(0 - 0)

GK: Scott Laity, DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Glen Cooper, Paul Herring, CF: Stephen Williams. SUBS: Daniel Ford.

30th July 2008:Game 5-

CCP FC 1-0 No Stars FC

Tristan Laity 6 (1 - 0)

Trisha embarks on a powerful run, beating two opposition defenders, before toe poking into the bottom right hand corner.

Game 6-CCP FC 0-1 Sciatico Muchobadback

(0 - 0)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Tristan Laity, Daniel Ford, FW: Glen Cooper

Glen Cooper: “I love the way we are EXACTLY mid table at the moment. Played 6, won 3, lost 3, scored 3, conceded 3, 0 GD, 6th out of 12.”

6th August 2008 (Champions League Group D):Game 1-

CCP FC 1-0 Prince of Wales


Glen meets a bouncing ball right on the penalty area line and tucks it past the goalkeeper. 1-0

Game 2-CCP FC 2-0 Pasty Lovers

Daniel Ford 8Glen Cooper 15

(1 - 0)

Fordy gets away from the defender and buries one across the goalkeeper into the bottom left from a left angle. 1-0 Glen takes it very wide left, as in 80 degrees, but spanks a finish in through the goalkeeper. 2-0

GK: Colin Weir, DF: Jim Molyneaux, Ryan Cooper, MF: Jonathan Lee, Daniel Ford, FW: Glen Cooper

13th August 2008:Game 7-

CCP FC 0-2 Djemba Djemba

(0 - 1)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper, MF: Tristan Laity, FW: Glen Cooper, Daniel Ford.

Game 8-CCP FC 1-2 Pirates Hate Seagulls

Stephen Williams 8 (1 - 0)

Rocky races onto Fordy's clever through pass. Slightly right of centre, the little man takes a touch before calmly slotting home low across the 'keeper.

GK: Tristan Laity, DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper, MF: Daniel Ford, FW: Glen Cooper, Stephen Williams.

Scott Laity: That was quite a strong side there lads? What happened? Also, how come Rock only played 1 game? I can play this week BTW!

20th August 2008:Game 9-

CCP FC 1-1 Cornish All-stars

Daniel Ford

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Jim Molyneaux, Scott Laity, MF: Jonathan Lee, Tristan Laity, FW: Daniel Ford


Daniel FordJim Molyneaux

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Jim Molyneaux, Scott Laity, MF: Jonathan Lee, Tristan Laity, FW: Daniel Ford

27th August 2008 (Champions League Group D):Game 3-


Game 4-CCP FC 0-1 Smack My Pitch Up [PRM]

Daniel FordJim Molyneaux

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Jim Molyneaux, Tristan Laity, MF: Jonathan Lee, FW: Daniel Ford, Stephen Williams.

Scott Laity: id imagine not everyone can make every week so there will be a natural rotation. I don't think anyone can claim a permanent place in the team as I think Ford will make it performance based (as its his baby I think its fair to honour his decisions). Unlike our 11 a side games where we struggle to get 11 players

so there's no competition for positions, 6 a side would allow for 7 players to turn up so the performances put out will deter your position in the team. As for Rob and Jim, I personally enjoy playing alongside them. Rob is a keeper which is a position no one else really fancies. I think Ryan will agree with me that Jim is a handy player to play next to. In the end its not my call so I cant pass judgement. As a side thought, we could explore entering a second team into the Sunday league so that the players interested in playing that don't play Wednesday get a chance on Sunday Like I said though, this would have to be something we'd have to look into.

3rd September 2008:Game 11-

CCP FC 0-0 Carnon Downers

(0 - 0)

Game 12-CCP FC 1-0 Sciatico Muchobadback

Daniel Ford 17 (0 - 0)

All Fordy's own work as he holds up the ball, turns and from an acute angle, hits an accurate right footed shot that goes in via the face of the right hand post.

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Jonathan Lee, Daniel Ford, FW: Glen Cooper

17th September 2008 (Champions League Group D):Game 5-

CCP FC 0-0 Pasty Lovers

(0 - 0)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Tristan Laity, Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Jonathan Lee, FW: Daniel Ford. SUBS: Jim Molyneaux (DF)

Game 6-CCP FC 0-1 Cornubia [PRM]

(0 - 0)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, Jim Molyneaux, MF: Jonathan Lee, FW: Daniel Ford. SUBS: Tristan Laity (DF)

Scott Laity: Well lads, that was an interesting night. Very hard fought games which tested us all (especially Pidge). After a 0-0 draw and a 1-0 loss, Tris and I were looking forward to getting home and going to bed. We chatted for a little bit about this and that, planning to go out for Sunday lunch, how I should visit mum this weekend etc. etc. At approximately 21:50 we left the car park.... well, tried to leave the car park. Carrick Council decided to arrive early and lock up the gates at the entrance of the car park. After I scratched my head and Tris scratched his balls we decided to call for help. I called Ford hoping his infinite wisdom may help us.... it didn't, I got laughed at. Tris tried calling Rob for help, same response. Just as I hung up to Fordy a car pulled up on the other side of the gate and Lucia could make out the familiar grey hooded figure of the organiser. I casually strolled over (after some encouragement from Lucia) and the gentleman wound down the window. After chatting to him for a while I returned to my fellow stricken companions. It wasn't the organiser, just some random bloke who also laughed and didn't offer much help. We decided we weren't getting anywhere and decided our only course of action was to lift the gate off its hinges and replace it afterwards. Tris and I took our positions and lifted the gate. It came of its hinges without so much as a murmur We steadily carried the gate forward making sure the strain was on us and not the other end of the gate. As we were about 1/4 open another car pulled up. A man got out wearing a 'Truro College' top. He didn't look too impressed when he saw the two of us with his gate in the middle of the road. Luckily he didn't ring my work mates but asked us to put the gate back so he could unlock it and let us out. So.... some advice, don't trust the councils timekeeping!!

24th September 2008:Game 13-

CCP FC 0-0 Axel FC

(0 - 0)

GK: Ben Minns, DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Scott Laity, Jonathan Lee, FW: Daniel Ford.

Game 14-CCP FC 3, Heron Hackers 0-CCP awarded a default 3-0 victory after Hackers failed to attend.

Friendly-CCP FC 1-0 The Pilgrims

Daniel Ford 15 (0 - 0)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper, MF: Scott Laity, Tristan Laity, FW: Daniel Ford. SUBS: Jim Molyneaux (DF)

Scott Laity's right wing throw-in finds his brother Tristan, whose clever, volleyed square pass reaches the onrushing Daniel Ford who strokes home a curling side-footed half-volley to complete a tremendous team move.

1st October 2008:Game 15-


Jim Molyneaux

Game 16-CCP FC 1-0 Golden Retrievers

Jim Molyneaux

Scott Laity: Notched up 2 wins this week. 1-0 vs The Pilgrims and 1-0 vs Golden Retrievers. Jim scored both goals, breaking from defence with the ball, running it through the opposition before calmly putting the ball in the back of the net.

17th September 2008 (Champions League Group D):Game 7-

CCP FC 2-1 Universal United [PRM[

Jim MolyneauxDaniel Ford

(0 - 0)

1-0 (12 minutes): Jim meets a Ryan Cooper disguised pass and surges at United's retreating defence down the left. Cutting inside the defender, he finishes low across the 'keeper to the bottom right hand corner.

2-1 (19 minutes): Jonny does brilliantly to flick a square ball over the head of two defenders at once for Fordy to wait patiently and meet with a half volley past the goalkeeper from close range.

Game 8-CCP FC 1-1 Glory Boys [PRM[

Jim Molyneaux 16 (0 - 0)

1-1 (16 minutes): In a near carbon copy of his goal earlier in the evening, Jim officially becomes a goal

machine with his fourth goal in four games, another mazy run through a hesitant defence culminating in a composed finish, to get CCP back on terms.

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Jim Molyneaux, Jonathan Lee, FW: Daniel Ford.

22nd October 2008:Game 17-

CCP FC 1-1 Carnon Downers


1-0: Trish wins a header in midfield and finds Glen all alone in attack. As the goalkeeper clamps down, the wardrobe spins and turns the ball past him decisively with the outside of his left boot.

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Jonathan Lee, Jim Molyneaux, FW: Glen Cooper. SUBS: Tristan Laity (DF)

Game 18-CCP FC 0-0 Cornish All-stars


GK: Rob Parker, DF: Tristan Laity, Jim Molyneaux, MF: Jonathan Lee, Scott Laity, FW: Glen Cooper. SUBS: Ryan Cooper (DF)

29th October 2008:Game 19-

CCP FC 0-0 Sub Zero

(0 - 0)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Ryan Cooper, Jim Molyneaux, MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay, FW: Glen Cooper. SUBS: Tristan Laity (DF)


Jim MolyneauxJames Findlay

(2 - 0)

1-0 (4 minutes): A long Trisha throw in from the right bounces to the back post with no challenge. Jim cuts inside his man with the ball and tucks the ball in low at the near post.

2-0 (9 minutes): Another direct Trish throw in from the right deceives the entire Pasties defence, leaving Findlay alone in front of goal. The midfielder takes one touch and firmly slots the ball home via the left hand post.

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Ryan Cooper, Jim Molyneaux, MF: Tristan Laity, James Findlay, FW: Glen Cooper. SUBS: Jonathan Lee (DF)

5th November 2008 (Champions League Group D):

Game 9-CCP FC 0-1 The Pilgrims

(0 - 0)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay, FW: Glen Cooper. SUB: Jim Molyneaux (MF).

Game 10-CCP FC 0-0 Smack My Pitch Up

(0 - 0)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Ryan Cooper, Jim Molyneaux MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay, FW: Glen Cooper. SUB: Tristan Laity (DF).

Ryan Cooper: We were beaten 1-0 against near rivals the Pilgrims in our Champions League game but gained a terrific 0-0 draw against Smack My Pitch Up, who currently sit third in the Premiership with the best defensive record.

James Findlay: On top of this Ryan, if you check the table we are the only team to take points off Smack My Pitch Up, before us they won 7/7

12th November 2008:Game 21-

CCP FC 0-2 Djemba Djemba

(0 - 1)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: Jim Molyneaux, FW: Scott Laity, Glen Cooper. SUBS: Jonathan Lee (DF), James Findlay (MF)

Game 22-CCP FC 2-2 No Stars FC

Scott Laity 9, 14 (1 - 2)

A disappointing end to CCP's otherwise encouraging entry season into the Soccernights Wednesday Championship division, claiming a solitary point. With an outside chance of stealing the third promotion berth at the start of play, we required 6 points realistically. Alas, we were outclassed by an impressive Djemba Djemba side in the first game, going down 2-0 in a repeat of the two sides meeting earlier in the season. Djemba Djemba thoroughly deserve their place in the Premiership (if they got it), having started from the bottom and roared their way up the league in a short space of time. They will most likely run away with the title next season if they didn't go up this time round. With promotion now mathematically impossible going into the final league game of the season, we started poorly against a lowly No Stars FC team, who raced into a 2-0 lead following some shoddy defending for both goals. However, CCP clawed their way back into contention just before half time, as Scott Laity went through on goal and calmly slotted the ball across the goalkeeper from a wide right position. And then he added a corking second goal during a much tighter second half to effectively seal the point for CCP. He picked up the ball just inside the No Stars half and unleashed a rocket shot from fully twenty yards that the goalkeeper couldn't reach.

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Jonathan Lee, Jim Molyneaux, MF: James Findlay, FW: Scott Laity, Glen Cooper. SUBS: Ryan Cooper (DF), Tristan Laity (DF)

Scott Laity: Well, another season in the Championship fellas. Not all that bad really. Showed this season we can compete with the big boys. Staying down this year will probably be good for us as the Premiership boys are well out of our league.

1st game vs. Djemba Djemba – 0-2: They were a good outfit. Definitely better than us and should probably have scored more goals but I'd take 2-0. Couple of errors for the goals but our problem was getting forward. We didn't seem to get the ball on the ground and tried to play silly first time passes. I don't think anyone played particularly well and if anything we played as well as each other. Just couldn't get the basics right unfortunately.

2nd game vs No Stars FC – 2-2: We should have won this by a long margin really but again, the basics evaded us. Our defending was poor, passing was short sighted and we had a bit of a greed fest I think. Personally, I found it hard to make a presence in both games. Just as I was getting into it, the game finished

(could be the return to 11 a side footy). It may help us if the more regular squad players play together at 5 a side. I think as a team we need to look at a couple of areas to improve.- Passing - it was pretty poor this match. We either wasted passes by passing the ball off the pitch or to no one in particular.- Off the ball movement - We need to look at dragging their players around the pitch but also keeping an eye on what the opposition do off the ball.- Defending - We didn't have much consistency at the back today which must make things awkward. Usually 3 players take in turns doing the work at the back but changes must have seen Ryan working with every player today. Also (I was guilty of this) closing down was lacklustre.- Communication - its important to talk on and off the pitch. On the pitch, don't just shout your name but tell the player where you are! When off the pitch, shout warnings as you can see the whole game. Also, when players are subbed, let others know of the changes of position. These things will all come with practice and we usually do some if not most of them but for some reason we let our standards slip today. We have 'Sub-zero' next week in the cup at 7:20. I think its a knock out tournament so lets give it our best eh?

James Findlay: Last night was never going to go well from the start, with mutterings of "I don't wanna go up anyway, I'd rather stay in the Championship". In fact, hearing that has made me reconsider playing for the sixes. But that's besides the point. The only way we will improve as a team is consistency and organisation. Second game last night, I played defence/midfield/attack within a 5 minute spell... leaving me no time to adjust to where I was playing. Also, considerations need to be made on a players strength. I don't see the point of playing Jim and Tris in defence and Jonny/Scott attacking - when this is the opposite of the respective players strength. This league needs to be treated like an 11-a-side game, not a 5-a-side piss about

Scott Laity: I'll put my hand up and admit that I didn't want to go up this season but it doesn't mean I played with less effort. Djemba Djemba were a class act. I watched their second game vs The Pilgrims and it was obvious that they were a big fish in a small pond. A 2-0 loss to them wasn't too bad considering Axel just managed a draw against them. The second game we should have won easily. I approached the match wanting to have some fun. Considering we had lost the chance to go up and finishing position below that doesn't really matter, I don't see why not.

Regarding the team, we have the following players / positions based on 11 a side -

Rob - GKScott - DFRyan - DFJonny - DFJim - DFFindlay - DF/DCMTristan - DF/DCMGlen - ACM/FW

That to me looks like quite a defensive line up and I agree with Findlay that we should look at players strengths and weaknesses as we don't really seem to have a clear cut choice of a team sheet. Ryan, if you compare the beginning of the season to how we know we can play towards the end of the season, its two different teams. We have improved loads! Our recent slump in form I believe is down to the departure of Fordy as we have no one of similar ability on the ball or knowledge with what to do with it further up the field. We simply haven't adjusted yet. The reason I didn't want to go up is because I enjoy this level of football. We're playing teams close to our ability The premiership teams are too good for us and I don't think we would stand a chance of staying up considering most of the teams contain combo/south western league players. I also think players would lose interest due to the embarrassing amount of losses we would rack up.

James Findlay: The premiership teams are too good for us and I don't think we would stand a chance of staying up considering most of the teams contain combo/south western league players. I also think players would lose interest due to the embarrassing amount of losses we would rack up. It would hardly be embarrassing, in my opinion. I've only been here for 6 matches, so my experience isn't huge, I'll admit that. But after the first game I ever played (I got a feeling it was Sub Zero) I was told they

were not indicative of the standard of the league and were prem standard (according to everyone else on the team that is) - we equalled them and drew 0-0. Last week we played Smack My Pitch Up, unbeaten in the cup and 3rd in the prem, we equalled them (if not were better than them) and drew 0-0. I, and others, have said it before: we are good enough to take points from any team that step onto those pitches. We wouldn't have stormed the prem that's for sure, but we would easily have stayed up and it would have been interesting to see how well we would have done

Glen Cooper: if we can stop rusty tromboning each other for a second, has anyone considered how much further down this league we'd be if ford had never played? Look, we simply couldn't survive in prem, we'd have a miserable time and I understand what Scotty's saying about not going up. We should be interested in playing at a level where we can enjoy it, shouldn't we? If we're playing balls to the fence 6 men across the goal line in the prem, im sure you defenders will get plenty of action but what about poor old me up front on my own?? Next season we need to focus on a solid formation 2 at the back, 2 in the middle (1 defensive), 1 up front and stick with it. Tis my suggestion.

19th November 2008:

SNIFA Cup Round of 16--CCP awarded a default 3-0 victory after Sub Zero failed to attend.

Friendly-CCP FC 0-1 Universal United [PRM]

(0 - 0)

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: James Findlay, FW: 'Steve', Scott Lethbridge.

SNIFA Cup Quarter Finals-CCP FC 1-1 Golden Retrievers

(0 - 1)

1-1 (12 minutes): Tom "Slip" Lyth embarks upon a mazy run, which sees him all the way through to the edge of the 'D', and his side-footed finish is fumbled over the line by the goalkeeper.

Penalty Shoot-out:-Ryan Cooper sends the goalkeeper the wrong way but his rather central spot kick has enough pace on it to fortuitously creep in via the legs of the goalie. 1-0

-Rob Parker pulls off a tremendous full stretch save to his right to repel an accurate Retrievers kick out of the bottom right hand corner. 1-0

-Scott Laity has a cool head as his excellent penalty to the bottom left hand corner sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. 2-0

-Needing to score to keep Retrievers in the game, the taker places his spot kick onto the outside of the left hand post, with Parker diving the other way, and CCP can celebrate progressing to the last four, and a date with the Premiership champions and holders of the last six seasons, FC City Slickers.

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, MF: James Findlay, Tom Lyth, FW: Scott Lethbridge.

SNIFA Cup Semi Finals-CCP FC 1-3 FC City Slickers

James Findlay (1 - 2)

1-0 (3 minutes): CCP take a shock lead against their illustrious opponents, when James Findlay flicks a bobbling pass over the legs of the centre half, darts through on goal and squeezes his finish into the net via the torso of the diving goalkeeper.

CCP gave a great account of themselves against the best this league has to offer and there is no shame in a two-goal defeat. This certainly dispels theories that the Premiership's best would destroy CCP on any given night. Slickers predictably saw most of the ball, but it was their irresistible shooting that did us in. One goal was a full volley from a tight angle and another was a twenty-five yard daisy-cutter, the sort of quality we don't usually see in our league. It was good for CCP to end their maiden season in the competition on a high note.

GK: Rob Parker, DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, Jim Molyneaux, MF: James Findlay, FW: Scott Lethbridge.

Scott Laity: We were chatting the other day about a rotation policy for the team so I was wondering if anyone has any ideas? My idea was to rotate who was sub. Have 7 players turn up each week. 1 player would turn up as sub. That person may not play very much or even at all but wouldn't be charged to play that match as compensation. The cost is shared between the 6 main players. Because of rotation, that person would then be able to play the next 6 - 7 nights in a row. The rota can be decided at random but we stick with it regardless.

Daniel Johns: Chins up boys, it's the taking part that counts ain't it! Turn those frowns upside down.

Glen Cooper: Is that what's embroidered on the club badge at Truro United, Johnser?

Daniel Johns: Ha, nah, but it should be really! Good 2 see you haven't lost your sense of humour Glenda!

December 2008- April 2009 SeasonChampionship League Table:

Results:

3rd December 2008:Game 1-CCP FC (0) 0, Pasty Lovers (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper.

CCP opened the season against the Pasty Lovers, an outfit we have generally enjoyed success over (unbeaten in our four previous meetings, winning three of them and not conceding a goal). This was an even contest reflected accurately in the goalless scoreline. Ring rust seemed to affect both teams in a cagey opening day affair that was low on chances. CCP looked comfortable defensively, with Rob Parker in goals more a spectator than active participant, but we lacked the thrust going forwards with the ball to threaten their opponent's defence. Pasties looked to have strengthened for the new season, with a couple of new faces at the back to produce a much more domineering defensive unit.

Game 2-CCP FC (0) 1 (Glen Cooper 15), Renaissance United (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper.

Against fresh opposition in Renaissance United, CCP created lots of space and a wealth of half-chances, but were thwarted by profligacy in front of goal. It was the polar opposite of a typical CCP match, where we soak up pressure and nick crucial goals on the break, and some of our players allowed frustration to creep in. After a sustained period of dominance, CCP got the deserved breakthrough midway through the second half. James Findlay strode with the ball towards their goal from the left. He hit a shot at goal, which the goalkeeper parried back into the mixer. Glen Cooper waited an eternity for it to reach him, with a non-committal goalie rooted to his line, and slotted him past him from close range. Renaissance had an opportunity to equalise in controversial circumstances late in the game. Ryan Cooper was unfortunately penalised for handball just outside the box as a fizzed corner flicked up onto his hand via his leg. With the set piece being within six feet of the the penalty area, CCP were not permitted a wall to defend the direct free kick, essentially giving Renaissance a penalty kick from a wide angle! Thankfully, Rob smartly charged off his line to narrow the angle and block the shot, and CCP finished strongly thereafter to take the points.

Scott Laity: Well, 4 points from a possible 6 is a confident start for CCP this season. The first game vs Pasty Lovers was a 0-0 draw but full of positives. The second game was put into CCPs favour by a late strike from Glen for a 1-0 win against new boys Renassonce (sorry about the spelling) The first game was a fair result and once we've settled into he season I think we can get a win against them.


Cant help but feel we should have put more past the new boys. 1-0 almost feels like a draw as they were really crap. Both Glen and Ryan had valid points after the game - We aren't a very industrious team in front of goal and we should play more attacking football. We played some great passing play today but it fizzled out as at times me, Ryan and Jonny were all back. Glen would have the ball with few options to pass to. Our other problem was shooting when we should have passed. We had a few moment where the pass may have led to a higher chance of scoring than the original chance. Good calls on the pitch about keeping the tempo up! That kept them in their own half and allowed us enough peppered shots on goal that eventually one got through. All in all, good work tonight lads and lets look to earn 6pts from next week. Id say we have a good chance this year without Axel and Djemb Djemba around.

James Findlay: The lack of industriousness on the pitch is a good call of course, but not really something we can remedy over night. At the end of the day, last night we had 4 defenders and Glen on the pitch, neither of the 4 defenders are accomplished finishers, and although Glen is an attacking player I wouldn't consider him a finisher, rather a target man. So the problem lies in the personnel we have rather than our tactics. The only remedy I can see is to stick with a constant team (at least as constant as we can get with the rota) and after a couple of weeks players will fill into their respective roles and become more comfortable and therefore the goals will begin to come

11th December 2008:Game 3-CCP FC (1) 3 (Glen Cooper 7, 11, Jim Molyneaux 16), Carnon Downers (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee; FW: Jim Molyneaux, Glen Cooper.

CCP claimed a flattering 3-0 victory over Carnon Downers, who were probably CCP's consistent promotion rivals last season. Downers' skilful number 5 in attack tested a resolute CCP defence all game, being denied by a good Rob Parker save in the first half after racing clear on goal. Ryan Cooper got a rare shot on target well saved after being fed through the left channel by Jim Molyneaux. Cooper returned the favour shortly after, playing Molyneaux in through the middle with a threaded pass, but the striker's spin and shot was repelled by a stretching block. Parker again produced a good save following a three-on-two attack, and CCP took the lead immediately on the break when Molyneaux ran at a stretched Downers defence and squared the ball to Glen Cooper, who took a touch and finished with the outside of his left boot. Almost immediately from the kick off commencing the second half, CCP stole a second goal. A clearance struck Scott Laity in the face, and he had enough awareness to play in Glen Cooper to grab his brace with an angled finish that struck the left hand post and went in. It was a blow that deflated the Downers and they carried much less of a threat in attack after the break. CCP started to move the ball around more confidently and scored a fatal third to cement their largest margin of victory in this competition. Molyneaux embarked upon another trademark mazy run and played a heavy touch to the right to beat the defender. Lunging for the ball, he managed to wrap his boot around the ball and send it fizzing into the bottom right hand corner past the hand of the stretching goalkeeper.

Game 4-CCP FC (0) 0, Average Joes (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee; FW: Jim Molyneaux, Glen Cooper.

If CCP were a touch fortunate in the previous match, their goal certainly lived a charmed life against one of the relegated sides, Average Joes (nee Universal United). Daydreaming in defence at times threatened to spoil an otherwise competitive display against one of the Championship's obvious contenders for promotion. Whenever Joes got in behind however, they found Parker in top form to shut out them out. The 'keeper could have written his autobiography last week, but was alert to the more elevated goal threat this week and made two or three good stops. When Tom Lyth did manage to beat him with a left-footed shot in the second half, he smashed the crossbar and CCP held out for the point.

17th December 2008:Game 5-CCP FC (0) 0, Sciatico Muchobadback (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott ???, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee; FW: James Findlay, Glen Cooper. SUB: Jim Molyneaux (FW).

CCP fell to their first defeat and first goal conceded of the season against a Sciatico side that propped up the

table at the start of play. This evening however, they either played out of their skins or had a significant injection of talent, because CCP were well-matched by a unusually youthful team that just nicked it in a dour contest. The defeat was only CCP's second in the last twenty league games. The all-important strike came after only three minutes. A low cross from the Sciatico right flank skimmed through to the back post, where their onrushing midfielder beat James Findlay to the ball and slotted in an excellent finish. It turned out to be the only shot on target all game from either side. Sciatico became visibly more withdrawn afterwards and CCP probed in search of an equaliser. They played good football in spells, but lacked ideas in the final third. Jim Molyneaux came into attack for his friend Scotty at half time; immediately CCP looked more lively but were still toothless. You would have to say Sciatico were comfortable winners in the end, with their goalkeeper not having a meaningful save to make all game.

Game 6-CCP FC (0) 1 (Glen Cooper 13), Cornish All-stars (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Findlay; FW: Scott ???, Glen Cooper. SUB:Jim Molyneaux (FW).

Keen to immediately erase the memory of their defeat, CCP looked much better in the second game of the evening. In a tight first half, either side could have taken the lead. Parker made a good one-on-one save for CCP after Jonny Lee was caught out of position down our right. At the other end, Scott had a fierce shot from the right deflected by the knee of Glen Cooper, and the goalkeeper readjusted to produce a fine stop. With the 'keeper scrambling on the ground, Cooper could only direct his header wide of the unguarded goal. Again, the introduction of Molyneaux brought fresh impetus to CCP's attack. The skilful forward set up his strike partner Cooper after dribbling with the ball on a couple of occasions, only for the latter to miss the target when well-placed. The third time was a charm though, as Molyneaux again beat a couple of challenges and laid it into the path of Cooper. The striker's first-time finish was true to put CCP deservedly ahead. All-stars rarely threatened Parker's goal at all and CCP took the spoils after another classic shut out

7th January 2009:Champions League Group CGame 1-

CCP FC (1) 1 (Tristan Laity 4), Trevas Tractor boys (3) 8GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Jonathan Lee; MF: Tristan Laity, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper. UNUSED SUB: Ryan Cooper.

CCP FC started 2009 and their cup campaign in woeful fashion with a seven-goal reverse against the ravenous Premiership leaders. The last time the Championship hopefuls met Tractor boys (then known as FC City Slickers), we valiantly fell 3-1 in the SNIFA Cup Semi Finals last season. But the Blues were a shadow of that effort tonight; lacking discipline, communication, leadership and spirit, we were easy pickings for a confident side with intelligent movement and powerful finishing. CCP were stunned to be 2-0 down inside the first two minutes of play, but Tristan Laity did pull a quick goal back on his awaited return from injury. The midfielder was afforded a surprising amount of space to take a touch from a left wing cross and poke the ball past the goalkeeper from close range. It was the only gift Tractor boys would give us, however, and they notched a killer third before the break. Five more unanswered goals in a torrid second half ensured a miserable return to Soccernights. The only highlight was Glen Cooper delightfully skinning a Tractor boys defender and drilling a low shot just wide of the right hand post. Although Rob Parker did concede a couple of soft goals at his near post, a combination of his numerous reflex saves and Tractor boys' complacent finishing stopped the Premiership outfit scoring fifteen. Instead of passing over a forward to his partner, both CCP defenders obsessively man-marked, criss-crossing each other all game. This allowed Tractor boys to prise us open through the middle with alarming ease, We were also giving the ball away in dangerous areas, allowing waves of Tractor boys players to quickly run at Parker's goal. I would attribute this mostly to bad communication; nobody was willing to do even the basic talking: "Man on", "Time", "Look left / right" etc.

Game 2-CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish Falcons (3) 3GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Jonathan Lee; MF: Tristan Laity, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper. UNUSED SUB: Ryan Cooper.

We looked to get onto the leader board against more beatable, but still undeniably tough opposition in the Cornish Falcons. Falcons are second in the Championship, having won an impressive 5 games from 6, but they are only two places and four points above CCP. The Blues, still shell shocked by their comprehensive

beating at the hands of Trevas Tractor boys, simply did not start this game either and were 3-0 down at half time in another dismal half of football. The second half was a vast improvement, though you had the impression Falcons were content to sit on their lead and cement a clean sheet. CCP's only chance came when James Findlay played a diagonal through pass from the left that found Glen Cooper running across the goalkeeper towards the right. Always adamant to use his left, he eventually got to an acute angle and flicked a bobbling shot past him that kissed the far post!

Scott Laity: I think it was a little unfair to put focus on me and Jonny when those games were lost as a team. We were all shite. Tris's goal was a toe punt that wrong footed the keeper. No one on the team communicated. Glen had major problems with his touch. Jonnys passing was poor. I was well unfit and very quiet. Marking was pants and attitude was dire. As a side note. When we played City slickers last time (in the cup) they had only 3 of their main team playing... the others were ringers. They've dicked Axel in the past worse than they did us and I decided after conceding 3 that id rather conserve my energy for the second game. A few of their goals were shot between the legs of myself or Jonny as we closed them down. 60 - 70% of the time, that would hit a leg and be blocked but frustratingly it went in every time. They were just a different class. I'm not going to take any hurt from that game but learn from the way they played. If you get a chance to next week, watch them play. We should have done better in the second game but hey, demoralised from the first game, first game after not playing together for ages. Id rather lose to them in the cup than in the league so lets pick ourselves up. Learn from our mistakes this week and focus on next weeks fixtures. Lets accept no less than 6 Pts regardless of who we are playing!

Ryan Cooper: I didn't mean to single any particular person out, but from my off field position I do unfortunately feel DF was where most of the problems were on Wednesday and this is why I shined a light on it. You know I like to defend defenders to the hilt, but many of the goals we conceded stemmed from bad fundamentals from yourself and Jonny. Yes, there was some bad luck, but most of it was bad positioning and marking between the two of you, and some slow cover from midfield by Tristan (though of course, he is still a little injured). This I think was a bad night on which to be unfit and not up for the fight as we were. Even if the back two were tight and sharp, we may well still have lost both games, but not in such a spectacular manner. So I don't think playing the "Oh, they still would have beaten us if we'd played well" card is ever appropriate. If we're gonna think that way, we should just refuse to play and take the 0-3 defeat. Turning up, playing way, way below your collective best and then saying "It's only because we were beaten by the better side" is not a good enough excuse. I've seen games where we played well and were beaten purely because of that extra quality but that wasn't the reason we lost the two games. I don't write big match reports each week highlighting every facet of each performance but for this game, I felt I had to say something. You don't just forget about nights like that and move on, you should reflect on them. I'll just make quick statements about each player from my view: Glen put in something close to a normal performance, just a little off. Yes, that includes a bad touch at points (and a refusal to use his other foot), but he looked about as dangerous as he would have most weeks. Hit one shot just wide one game and hit the post in the other game. Findlay was off the pace (I believe he has a cold too) and petulant at points (one bad challenge springs to mind). Rob did well seeing as shots were raining in on his goal. One or two soft goals were made up by four or five good saves over the night. Tristan had a good second game but was flat in the first. I don't think he should have played in such a demanding position as CM with his injury. He should have been LB and Jonny in the middle. I must say, I've gone over the results and can only see one instance of when Tractor boys played Axel, a 3-2 win for Trevas. When have they dicked them besides that?

Scott Laity: I dunno. It was something Jim said. Have you checked when they were FC City Slickers? I think against teams like that we need to be realistic and accept we are highly unlikely to win against them. We cant criticise each other for performances against them as they are highly skilled top league players who know how to exploit weaknesses. The second game we can certainly kick ourselves for losing though. In the end we're still a young enough team to learn from these sorts of set-backs and certainly improve on it. Back to winning ways next week eh?

Ryan Cooper: I think against big sides that you know in your heart of hearts are too good for you, you should just give 110%. If these big-time Charlies are going to beat you, they're going to have play a serious game of football first. I was saddened to not see any of that fire. I just saw a load of guys who just wanted to get the game out of the way quickly, no matter how bad the scoreline was. And the second game was equally bad. NB: Axel didn't play City Slickers last season in the Cup and they've played them once in the league as Trevas this season. I far as I can see, that is their only meeting.

Scott Laity: Maybe he said it to lessen the blow then? I can only say that your right that I didn't give it my all after the first couple of goals. I'm certainly not going to do that again (it was a tad embarrassing).

Glen Cooper: Jan 10, 2009, 5:24pm, Ryern wrote:I think against big sides that you know in your heart of hearts are too good for you, you should just give 110%. If these big-time Charlies are going to beat you, they're going to have play a serious game of football first.

But we shall ride out to meet them, nonetheless. - Theoden King

14th January 2009:Game 7-CCP FC (0) 0, Cougar FC (0) 0GK: Tristan Laity; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper.

CCP ended the leaders' 100% record with a evenly-contested goalless draw. It was a physical game that was low on quality and chances from either side. Glen Cooper side-footed a shot at goal from the right that curled through a couple of bodies towards an unsighted goalkeeper, who managed to save with his shin. Cougar then won a penalty kick when James Findlay was adjudged to have touched the ball inside the 'D'. The Cougar striker hit a hard spot kick that rattled the crossbar and Ryan Cooper completed the clearance. The second half was tighter still, with Cougar evidently frustrated by their inability to break down CCP's sturdy defence. Tristan Laity, CCP's stand-in custodian for the absent Rob Parker, was largely untested but did produce a good save late in the game to his left from an explosive twelve yard strike. Neither side deserved to win it and CCP took satisfaction in being the first team this season to resist the Cougar machine.

Game 8-CCP FC (0) 0, Heron Hackers (0) 1GK: Tristan Laity; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper.

The evening did not get any easier for CCP when they faced off against third-placed Hackers, who look a different proposition this season. Two points separated the teams and again, it was a predictably tight game. Hackers looked to press home their advantage with added bodies forward and were nearly caught cold when a ball ricocheted through a high defensive line and Findlay found himself through on goal. His early shot however scuffed wide of the far post. Laity in goal didn't have a save to make but had to face another penalty kick in the second half. Their wing man managed to get away from Ryan Cooper and flash a dangerous low ball across the face of goal. Scott Laity instinctively lunged to intercept, but unfortunately stumbled over onto the ball inside the 'D'. It was tough on Laity, who'd had a rock solid evening up to that point. Tristan guessed the right way, diving to his right, but the penalty had too much pace and the net bulged. CCP tried to get back on level terms but lacked ideas going forwards and seemed to run themselves into blind alleys with the ball. We are an effective side at this level in nicking 0-0 draws and 1-0 wins, but if we fall behind we will struggle and it proved to be the case against a comfortable Hackers defence.

21st January 2009:Game 9-CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish Falcons (2) 2GK: Tristan Laity; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper, Stephen Williams.

CCP were thoroughly outplayed by an impressive Falcons outfit that fielded at least three Troon FC players. Being up first in soaked conditions against such rapid movement and passing, the Blues were subjected to a tough twenty minutes in which they did well to only lose 2-0. Falcons took the lead when a disguised shot from twelve yards moved through a couple of bodies and deceived Tristan Laity in goal, his left-handed attempted save not enough to keep it out. Falcons added a second before half time when the right forward skipped away from Ryan Cooper and squared the ball to their centre forward, whose shot was saved by Laity. The grounded goalkeeper then swivelled and smothered the loose ball on the line. The referee, who had taken a very central position and couldn't have had a conclusive view, awarded the goal under pressure from Falcons players. The rest of the game saw Falcons probing the CCP defence and asking serious questions without being able to add a third. Laity made two or three handy stops in the second half, while Glen Cooper planted a header over the bar, the only incident of note at the other end.

Game 10-CCP FC (0) 0, No Stars FC (0) 1

GK: Tristan Laity; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper, Stephen Williams.

Against a side closer to their level, CCP started vibrantly, with the front pairing of Glen Cooper and Stephen Williams applying pressure to No Stars' defenders. It yielded many throw-ins and corners, but no final product. The Blues were much the better footballing side but again hadn't forced a save from the goalkeeper. Ryan Cooper went in goal for the second half and his first action was to fish the ball out of the net. A gap formed down CCP's left and their forward Dutch-shirted striker darted into the space. Under pressure from the backtracking James Findlay, he hit an unstoppable shot across Cooper that he barely saw, let alone got anything to. CCP should have equalised when Glen Cooper fended off a No Stars defender and squared it to Williams in space. From close range, the striker contrived the turn the ball first time past the right hand post with much more time than he realised. No Stars looked to add a second, again down that now vacuumous right flank. Their bald midfielder drilled a low shot from an acute angle that Cooper repelled to safety with his foot. But they should have finished off CCP when Williams either played a heavy touch or an under hit pass back to his goalkeeper that the forward intercepted and then lashed wildly over from close range. Williams tried to make amends with a long range shot, firmly stuck, that the goalkeeper smuggled around the post.

Brief Analysis:The Falcons game demonstrated what is fundamentally wrong with the Soccernights format. Players don't need to register, so the competition becomes a swirling pool of players representing different teams. It seems an average side like Heron Hackers were last year can suddenly make a surge for promotion, leaving us behind. It makes us a paragon of stability. For a top-of-the-table clash or relegation battle, a team could feasibly get Alan Shearer in to score 6 goals for them. It renders inter-team rivalries redundant because you don't play the same group of players. Sadly, if registration was mandatory, Rock wouldn't have been eligible and we'd not have a team. It just seems wrong that Falcons can post a side in the Champions League that in my eyes looked beatable ( it was more about us being poor than them being exceptional in the 0-3 defeat ), then field a side against us in the league that would probably beat Djemba Djemba. Their results have been generally steady 1-0 wins with a 1-0 defeat. They won 7-0 last week, so it's obvious they have brought this Troon lot in recently. They will absolutely storm the league if they can keep that team together. As far as we are concerned, we did what we usually do in the face of superior opposition, we accepted defeat early and felt it was thus not necessary for us to challenge first and second balls, or communicate with each other. We must be more concerned though with the No Stars defeat above all others this season, because this is the sort of team we are looking over our shoulders at and are now probably above us in the table. If we can't get results from the teams above us, we must at least get results against the teams below or we will slide down the table. Statistically, CCP have lost three games running and not found the net in the last four games. The key thing to remember we have played the top three teams in succession and then the team one place below us, a tough test for any team. An 8-1 battering at the hands of the best team in the entire competition hasn't helped our confidence. Not being able to field a full-strength side since before Christmas has certainly affected us, too. Things will now improve for us as we will play lower calibre teams, the sort we nick 1-0s from and at the very least draw with.

James Findlay: OK it doesn't need to be said that we haven't done particularly well the last few weeks. Looking at our results, in our last six games we've got 1 point from 18, lost 5 in 6 and only scored once. But taking a step back and looking at the opposition: 1st in Prem, 1st in Champ, 2nd in Champ twice, 3rd in Champ, Mid table chumps So 5 of those games have been against top quality opposition, so rather than looking at it as though we've dropped 17 points, I'd say losing 6 or 7 is more realistic. Not ideal obviously but not as bad as it looks at first sight. We are on poor form as a team, individually most of us are also on poor form (especially myself, since the 1st Tesco match I've not played well at all). Also all of these bad results has dropped our confidence and it is really telling. I don't think we played badly in any of those 6 matches, but we lacked conviction and looked uncomfortable on the ball. Hopefully with the hardcore fixtures out the way we can get a couple of easy(ish) games against the bottom teams, grab a couple of goals and a win or two and we can get back on the road. I liked the idea of Tris' earlier as well, nothing against you Glen but you made the point perfect earlier - nearly every game you are targeted as the 'big man up front' and are double marked, any balls played into you mean you have to work hard to make anything of them. Perhaps putting a new striker in and playing Glen off them would change things - I'd say that suits Glen style more and plus will he still be double marked meaning more space up front? It's worth a try at least, even for a half. We're on a run of bad form that has to end sometime, ride the storm and hopefully come out the other side.

Scott Laity: Interesting stuff. I agree with Findlay regarding points. I think given that we aren't industrious in front of goal, draws against these top teams are the most probable conclusion. A few of those games, we've dropped points late in the game although we played generally well. I don't think individually everyone is playing too badly. We've had nothing but very hard games since the x-mas break which really hasn't allowed us to get back into our stride. Aside from the cup matches we played, games have been very close which is to be expected against teams that are higher in the league than use with a good balance of players. Something I have noticed is that the majority of those teams had 2 players up front at all times. Someone for me and Ryan to mark. We work with only 1 striker and effectively 2 dcm's which means teams are able to push men forward happily. I think a second striker could be the key to success. Glen needs someone to play off as he is never going to beat a defence for pace. He is good however at laying balls off and working off someone else. He has said to me in the past that he cant do the work on his own up front and it is a big ask for him to score a winning goal every game. If everyone agrees maybe we should try this Ryan? The question is, who would join him? We also need a play maker/tempo setter in midfield.

"johnser" (AKA Stephen Williams): Rock.

Ryan Cooper: I think more than anything we need a quality central midfielder, the sort who collects short from defence, turns and can run the show. Giltjes would be fantastic but obviously that would never happen. No offence to Jonny, I think he does a solid, committed job, but we do look short going forwards. Defenders have to knock direct passes because there's simply nothing on short. I agree that Rock would be a good option to have (if he stops dropping so deep!), but it means extending an already bloated squad and making the rota worse. We have a 8 man squad as it is if you include Jim. If people think this is worth it, then we should go with it.

28th January 2009:Champions League Group CGame 3-CCP awarded a default 3-0 win after Renaissance failed to attend.

Friendly-CCP FC (1) 1 (Ryan Cooper 7), Average Joes (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper.

CCP started the evening with a 5-a-side friendly win against rivals Average Joes after Renaissance didn't attend. It was a match low on enthusiasm, with plenty of space for both teams to exploit. Both CCP defenders were encouraged to join in attacks. Ryan Cooper forayed forwards down the left wing with the ball and under little pressure, sliced his long-range shot well wide. But it was only the dress rehearsal for the real thing only moments later. Gliding forwards in possession like a gazelle, the powerfully-built centre half skipped past one challenge and darted into space down the left. Facing stand-in goalkeeper Carl, Cooper unleashed a rocket from twelve yards that swerved into the net via the right hand of the 'keeper and crossbar. What a legendary, handsome man this Cooper is! James Findlay was very unfortunate to see his side footed shot from the left kiss the base of the far post and bounce away from danger, while Joes created two or three decent chances in space, but either got the ball trapped in their feet or couldn't get the shot away. In the end, it was a comfortable victory and a good warm up for the game against Long Rock.

Scott Laity: I didn't think we were counting goals in friendlies?! If we are, you may have to include your legendary own goal Ryan!

Ryan Cooper: Oh yeah, all apps and goals count in all the games, so yes my really unlucky OG is official...

Scott Laity: we-hey!! So its known, I'm well up for the next match! We need a win and some form on inspiration. While I can only do my part in a team effort, if I do it to the best of my abilities, it gives the rest of you less to worry about. Lets get back to winning ways eh lads?!

Game 4-CCP FC (0) 1 (Glen Cooper 15), Long Rock FC (4) 7GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper.

In the game that counted, CCP were picked off by their Premiership counterparts, leaving their cup campaign in tatters. Both sides fielded 5 players and the Blues failed to cope with the extra space, both going forwards and defending against some swift counter-attacks Despite languishing in the Premiership relegation zone, Long Rock zipped the ball around confidently and shredded CCP's defence at will. They committed multiple bodies forward against the tandem of Scott Laity and Ryan Cooper and often a simple through ball was enough to play them in on goal, where their clinical finishing saw them 4-0 to the good at half time. CCP really struggled to create much of anything despite the oceans of space. The touch was disappointing and the passing wasn't there in the opposition half. At 0-6 down, we did finally get a goal for pride. Laity played a slide rule pass through a wall of Long Rock attackers, playing Findlay in on goal down the left. His heavy touch knocked him out wide and his side footed shot was repelled by the goalkeeper's legs. At the second attempt, Findlay squared the ball to Glen Cooper for an easy finish at the back post.

This was a shocking performance against a side that seemed beatable on form. But we are in poor form ourselves and nobody did themselves justice in the second game, not a single player. I don't think we'll finish bottom, but only because Renaissance are in the group. We simply have no excuses starting from now on going back into the league. We have had some tough matches sure, but it doesn't excuse the manner in which we've conducted ourselves lately. We've beaten ourselves before we've even turned up, symbolised by tonight's limp showing. I know we're limited at the best of times with our lack of balance in the team, but we really have no chance if we can't be bothered during the games. We've got to start switching on, staying focused and talk to each other. I had a quiet game today and I apologise, but the erstwhile lack of vocality amongst the rest of the team is a big factor in us taking hammerings recently.

4th February 2009:Game 11-CCP FC (0) 0, Golden Retrievers (1) 1GK: Scott Laity; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Findlay; FW: Scott Lethbridge, Glen Cooper.

CCP's free fall in the Championship continued with another fruitless evening, starting with a narrow defeat to a Retrievers team only one place below. The crucial goal came after sleepy CCP marking from an innocuous free kick, allowing their striker a free run and shot at goal that makeshift goalie Scott Laity got a touch to down to his right, but couldn't keep out.

Game 12-CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish Falcons (3) 3GK: Ryan Cooper; DF: Scott Laity, Jonathan Lee; MF: James Findlay; FW: Scott Lethbridge, Glen Cooper.

CCP faced the Falcons for the third time in five weeks. With Ryan Cooper in goal, Falcons raced into a 3-0 lead before half time. Cooper fumbled a routine shot at him into the goal for the first before producing an excellent save to his left to keep out a long range strike. A Falcons striker mesmerised Scott Laity with a flick through the defender's legs before aiming his shot into the net beyond the dive of Cooper. The third was a cutting counter attack down the right flank, culminating in their striker slotting the ball across the onrushing Cooper into the net. The second period in which the Laity-Cooper defence pairing was reunited, was a much tighter affair. Falcons were reduced to speculative efforts that Scott Lethbridge in goals had the beating of. The defeat however, means CCP are on a barren six game goalless run in the league.

Scott Laity: I was thinking on the way back that maybe we could put an advert on the soccernights board for a temp goalkeeper for next week? I'm not going to rant about this week because Glen was right that we did play a little better than last week. I felt disappointed that we lost the first match, frustrated that we have to play teams that are too good for us! Next match could we try this line-up?

GK - ? (ringer)DF - Jonny and RyanMF - Me and GlenST - Findlay

I know its not the most pace packed midfield but both Glen and I can strike the ball well from range and play good passing balls. I'm happy to receive the ball and Glen will have players around him to work off. Findlay gives us a bit of pace upfront. Just a suggestion and maybe food for thought.

James Findlay: Not a bad idea Scotty, though I think it'll have to be tried against the lesser teams because it

gimps our defence to much - yesterday vs Falcons was a prime example, 3-0 down at HT, Scott/Ryan partnership was rekindled and we didn't concede. Even with my crippled self playing. Which leads me onto my next point, went to Barncoose today for xray's on my foot, got a bruised bone and tendon damage so I'm out for the next 2 weeks

Ryan Cooper: I'd be more inclined to keep you and myself at defence Scott and partner Glen with Jonny. Jonny could be the enforcer, play simple balls to Glen and Glen could use the ball more directly.

11th February 2009:Game 13-Retrievers awarded a default 3-0 win after CCP failed to attend.

Game 14-All-stars awarded a default 3-0 win after CCP failed to attend.

Scott Laity: I have just got off the phone to Glen after having to pull the team out of tonight's 6 a side. We were due to play against No Stars FC and Golden Retrievers at 7:00pm and 7:40pm respectively. I usually leave my house about 30mins before kick off to get to the pitch on time. At 6:00pm I get a call from Ryan to say that we only have 4 players. Now... We already knew that Findlay and Tris were injured for this week. In fact we knew this after last weeks game. We also knew that Rob was unable to play this week 2 weeks ago. We knew Jim M would play for us provided he was notified the day before so he could take his kit into work with him/ make travel arrangements. We also have players like Jim Dower, Scotty and Rocky who have stepped in from time to time. I left a post here at the weekend informing that a few lads from Wendron were willing to play if needed. How the hell did we end up with just 4 players?! No text to Jim M meant he wasn't able to play... forward planning may have meant he could. No text to Jim Dower meant that with 30mins notice (till kick off) he couldn't play I tried 3 Wendron players who all would have played if I had asked them yesterday or the night before but had made other plans which couldn't be rearranged in 30mins. My old man offered but found he had no suitable clothing and after a few minutes thought decided he would be likely to injure himself. I don't know if Colin was asked? I don't have his number but he's a possibility. Waiting the whole day (the day of the game) for Scotty and Rocky to reply..... just baffles me. If we're going to succeed on the pitch, the organisation of these games need to be sorted off the pitch. When im at work, I don't know match times until I get home that evening unless I know someone who can check on my behalf. A quick text to everyone wouldn't hurt to make sure they know. We need to find out player availability well in advance (especially when we know a large chunk of our team is unavailable). In short, we dropped 6 points tonight as they were both teams we could beat easily. I'm fucking pissed because I really look forward to these games and cant understand how with all the resources available in this day and age that I can be informed just 30mins before I have to leave that we haven't got enough players when given a whole day, I could have easily talked a couple fo lads from the nick or from Wendron to play. I'm on late shift next week so I hope to god some of our usual players are available because if organisation stays the same, we'll be dropping more points.

Ryan Cooper: I agree that our arranging should be done earlier and it's certainly learned us. But it's no good lamenting our withdrawal now because the horse has bolted. We all were quite aware we needed a couple of players for this week but no one took any initiative to find someone or make suggestions. Instead, as you are aware from personal experience, everything falls on one man while everyone else sits on their asses and does sweet FA. Because of Soccernights posting their times on the morning, I've got into the habit of texting the desired players in the morning and waiting for a response. It's something that hasn't caused any problems until now. I am afraid I can't be badgering Scotty, Rock and other players all day because I'm at work and my boss doesn't appreciate it. Scotty is usually very prompt with his response but obviously didn't have his phone on this occasion Rock is a notorious ass hole and didn't bother getting back to me either way. Combined with the absence of our first and second choice goalies and Findlay, we were just too thin on the ground. We could have got stand in players sooner but if they aren't willing to pay, it costs us £6 each (not including travel)! I'm sure the majority of teams have failed at least once in providing a team. It's just a shame that we had two six-pointers tonight that we've conceded and no one's more annoyed by it than me. It frustrates me when I can't play footie. TBF, I had no idea Jim has to be notified the day before, this wasn't explained to me. It's irrelevant anyway because Axel clashed with CCP so he was not available. I wouldn't call Colin a realistic option. He has an operation pending and I suspect he was only interested in playing for us when Ford was here.

Scott Laity: I didn't know Colins situation so apologise for that. I explained to you about Jim last week regarding his needing to know the night before and im sure someone would have heard me tell you. Seeing as the matches clash, I can understand why he wasn't available. When arranging this - we all know it is a Wednesday evening. If you send people a text saying - ' are you available for 6 a side Wednesday evening? Could be anywhere between 7 - 9pm KO but can confirm on the day' you are likely to get replies for general availability. The reason other people sat on their asses Ryan is because you are the manager and therefore manage the squad so the responsibility is on you. If you delegate it (i.e. let me know Tuesday that were struggling to get a team) it will be sorted/ onus shifted. Its simple communication skills. As for work, everyone on the team works and so have those who arranged it in the past. Its not a great excuse as this could be arranged the evening before (just need to send a confirmation text afterwards of times) Payment. I'm sure if given ample notice people wouldn't mind paying the fees. Its just when you give them an hours notice that players may get stuffy as really, they are doing us a favour then.

18th February 2009:Champions League Group CGame 5-CCP FC (0) 0, City Boys (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Ryan Cooper, James Dower; MF: Glen Cooper, Jamie Durrant; FW: Simon ???

In desperate need to get their stuttering campaign back on track, CCP hoped to meet group whipping boys Renaissance and record a much-needed victory. They instead paired off with new team City Boys on this rain-smattered evening and lost a close contest 1-0. The patched-up blues, again unable to produce a full-strength side due to injuries and work commitments, fielded three débutantes in James Dower and the Wendron V's duo of Jamie and Simon in attack. The only goal came when a fast, three-on-two counter-attack that had CCP's centre halves back peddling, resulted in a shot skimming off the gloves of Rob Parker and dipping agonisingly into the goal. Parker redeemed himself with a couple of good saves later on in the game to keep CCP in it. The blues huffed and puffed with the industrious Simon and Jamie, but didn't produce much to worry City Boys' 'keeper besides a Glen Cooper shot saved in the second half. Boys displayed quick link-up in the final third and may go on to be a decent Championship team, but didn't have an awful lot to threaten Parker's goal. It was all very systematic of most CCP games at this level, a dour affair that was settled by the odd goal in one.

Game 6-CCP FC (0) 0, Trevas Tractor boys (1) 4GK: Rob Parker; DF: Ryan Cooper, James Dower; MF: Glen Cooper, Jamie ???; FW: Simon ???

With a daunting test against Tractor boys, the blues produced a much more encouraging performance, keeping the Premiership leaders at 1-0 for the majority of the match, before a late master-class in finishing added a slightly harsh veneer to the scoreline. It was a decided improvement upon the 1-8 mauling in the reverse fixture at the turn of the year. Tractor boys moved the ball quickly and displayed intelligent movement without ever getting out of second gear, but CCP were brave and disciplined. Trevas took the lead in the first half when their tall striker turned Jim Dower with a burst of pace and thumped the ball into the net from close range. The second half stayed tight, with CCP's midfielders working hard and sometimes benefiting from poor Trevas concentration in the pass. Tractor boys finally turned on the style with a three-goal burst in the last few minutes as CCP tired. The Premiership team were quick and lethal on the break as CCP looked to nick an unlikely equaliser. The blues could have notched a couple of goals towards the end when their goalie produced a good double save from the Wendron boys Simon and Jamie. At the last, Glen Cooper couldn't quite reach a square ball from Jamie that skimmed across the face of goal.

Analysis:This was much, much better from CCP and we can feel aggrieved to not take any reward tonight, especially when you consider the cobbled nature of our team. Golden Bhoys are another example of the standard steadily improving in this newborn league, and arguably how we are being left behind. Having missed out on promotion on the final evening of last season, CCP now look like much of a muchness in a league where every opponent is at least our equal. A dismal run of 11 games without a win sees us looking over our shoulders at the bottom three in the league, and perilously close to bottom place in the Champions League. Whereas last season, games balanced on knife edges with the inclination to topple 1-0 in our favour, the opposite occurs this season. Of our six league defeats this season, four have been 1-0 after hard fought matches that could have gone either way. I feel once we can post a full-strength side and keep things settled like we did earlier this season, the results will come.

I was really pleased with our application against Tractor boys in particular and we restored some pride I feel after the abysmal 8-1 defeat to them at New Year's. The tackling was good throughout the team and we applied pressure right up to their goalkeeper. In the 8-1 game, they walked through us when they felt like it but tonight they had to work for openings and you could sense frustration creeping in amongst their ranks the longer it remained only 1-0. You can tell they are a bunch of cocks though in the way they make these stupid noises amongst themselves when someone tries a fairy trick. We have the same right to be on that pitch as you do, so show some respect and some professionalism when you play us. I really don't like the way they don't look you in the eye when you shake their hand, as though you are somehow beneath them because they are better footballers than you. Equation that applies to local football: Twatiness (t) = Football talent (f) x 2.

26th February 2009:Game 15-CCP FC (0) 0, Cougar FC (3) 3GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper.

CCP were well beaten by a much more vibrant and incisive Cougar side than in our first meeting six weeks ago. They raced into a 3-0 lead before the break with a stunning long-range strike, and then added two more after mistakes in the CCP defence were ruthlessly punished. The blues were much more solid in the second half, thanks in part to Rob Parker's sharp reflexes, and possibly deserved to get a goal back, but it was not to be.

Game 16-CCP FC (0) 0, Average Joes (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, James Findlay; FW: Glen Cooper.Dismissals: James Findlay (15, foul and abusive language).

This narrow defeat to Joes summed up the way CCP's season has gone. We competed with them for the most part, but looked vulnerable defensively out of nowhere and generally clueless with the ball. Admittedly, Joes were unlucky not to be well clear of us in the first half, with Parker producing a string of brilliant reflex saves to tip shots onto the woodwork, away from goal, over the bar. It was an outstanding performance over the course of the evening and a well-merited man-of-the-match award. Joes eventually got the deserved winner before half time, when Scott Laity and Jonny Lee between them switched off to allow Ben Minns in unmarked to score a well-placed header from a right wing cross. To compound CCP's miserable evening, James Findlay was dismissed for foul and abusive language aimed at the referee after he didn't get a free kick following a tussle with Tom Lyth.

Analysis:I won't harp on too much about the red card because Findlay knows he did wrong and let us down in a big way. To call anyone in life a f*cking c*nt is out of order, let alone an impartial referee with no agenda against us. The incident killed off any chance of us getting a result from Average Joes and it has tarnished the name of CCP FC with referees at Soccernights, possibly making future victories that little bit harder.

As for us, same old I guess. We competed well enough over the course of the evening to deserve a point maybe, but we are starting to not only look weak with the ball, but defending our own goal too. If not for a spectacular contribution from Rob in goal tonight, it could have been a cricket score in both games, and against two sides we shut out earlier in the season. We used to be so good defensively that I felt we could keep a clean sheet against every Championship team and a few Premiership sides too on any given night, but low confidence and a sense of desperation I feel is creeping in now. Because of our increasing desperation to score goals, we commit the extra body forwards in search. The problem is the extra body is just as awkward and uncomfortable in possession and I think we are caught cold on the break quite a lot now, with three-on-two counter-attacks a common occurrence in each game. This is something that hardly ever happened before. We had our weaknesses earlier in the season and last season, but we could nearly guarantee a clean sheet and thus a point. These days, we seem very stretched as well as looking unimaginative, caught in the worst of both worlds. We've conceded at least one goal now in the last 11 competitive matches, our last clean sheet in our last meeting with the Cougars. Pairing this statistic with us only scoring 1 goal in the same amount of games, makes for some depressing reading. I believe we've tried to change our game plan to try to give Glen better support and score more goals and it has backfired, because we still aren't scoring goals and we've lost that defensive tightness as well.

Scott Laity: Just a couple of things fellas - Firstly, in light of tonight's events, I think we should decide among us on some sort of disciplinary system. If Soccernights doesn't enforce their ref's decisions, I think we should

really. Secondly, I'd like a chance to push up the pitch a bit. Please tell me if im blowing out of my ass but I do want to put my case forward:- I think im currently one of the more creative players in the squad and its wasted at the back.- I think I have a decent pass on me enabling me to play weighted balls into space.- My long shots have gotten a lot better over the last few months and I feel one could creep in if I can get closer to goal. - I can challenge for the ball in the air and use it to good effect- I played in midfield before and scored twice! The first point warrants the discussion.

James Findlay: OK, basically came on here to apologise to you guys for tonight. I let you down by behaving like a twat - no more needs to be said. As a result of tonight, I shall be stepping down from sixes. In situations like that I cannot control my temper, and as Glen rightly pointed out my attitude is not right. Besides this, I've now picked up 2 injuries in 3 weeks, and I've got more important things to think about than a kick about on a Wednesday evening. Plus this'll now make it easier to bring a goalscorer in without adding more subs to the squad

Ryan Cooper: Fair enough, it's your choice. Will you be available as a stand-in though if and when we need one?

Glen Cooper: Its a shame findlay, I was hoping you would you stick it out but ive noticed you getting angrier and angrier at officials as the weeks go by and I can see you aren'ttt enjoying iany morere, so fair enough.

Now that finders is gone, I want to see either Scott or Ryan playing as a central midfielder. We need to bridge the gap lads, rather than having all you guys at the back and me standing up front by myself. I think Scott is the best candidate to go in the middle because as he said, he has an eye for a pass and I just feel we need someone in midfield who will get in their faces and break up their play. I'm sure Ryan could do this job but we really need to keep him at the back to deal with pacey strikers, so my vote goes for Scott in CM. However, If we can recruit a goalscorer than I would like to drop back into midfield, perhaps with scotty as a DCM of some sort? I think I can be fairly effective up front as a support striker but I don't have the touch or the pace to be a lone striker. We are in bad form and we need someone who can make things happen, rather than me who can only muster pot shots from ludicrous angles. I tried my ass off last night but its getting really difficult to even get a clean shot on goal at the moment. That said, I'm happy to play up front to the best of my ability if we cant find anyone else. Thoughts?

James Findlay: I put 110% effort in for CCP every game and when this is undermined by refs who cant do their jobs properly it gets to me that is all. I'm not one to keep my mouth shut like you guys, no matter how hard I try. Ryan, to be honest I'd rather never turn up there again, but if you are desperate of course I'd help you out

Rob Giltjes: hi guys, just to side some opinions, I play in a 5 a side league on a Wednesday night, and up until 2 weeks ago we were running away with the league, until a few injuries or unavailables, effects your team, it really messes it up as the players who come in( some who maybe good) domt play the same way.so frustrating.we have had players pull out on the day and that is more infuriating than actually knowing they cant play.you really should tho enjoy the six aside it is a great laugh and regular football. thanks Ryan for mentioning that I would really help your team, but like you said that is definitely impossible.i suggest try to encourage rock. speak soon

Scott Laity: I know Jamie is very keen to play 6 a side. He really enjoyed it a couple of weeks ago. For Wendron, he's a good attacking option. Hes quite quick, happy to run at people and a half decent shot on him. I could approach him if you like. Thanks for the vote of confidence Glen. Obviously, if the defence is weakened too much or it doesn't work out in MF, I wont mind dropping back again. Seeing as we wont be challenging for the title this season, I think its worth experimenting. For future games, are we going to enforce bans? 1 week if you get 2 yellows and 2 weeks for a straight red? Also Findlay, we've spoken on MSN about footy and how you seem to concentrate on the officials more than getting your head down and playing football. You were a breath of fresh air when you started playing 6 a side. I think if you can get over your beef with the refs, you could be as invaluable as you were before to the team. I really would like to see you come back sometime and think its a shame you're quitting. That said, im glad you will stand in when needed.

4th March 2009:

Game 17-CCP FC (0) 0, Sciatico Muchobadback (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Tristan Laity; FW: Glen Cooper.

Game 18-CCP FC (0) 1 (Tristan Laity 17), Golden Bhoys (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Tristan Laity; FW: Glen Cooper.

The blues earned their first point in 11 games with a deserved draw against bottom side Golden Bhoys. They left it late however, as Tristan Laity equalised with only a couple of minutes to spare. The Bhoys, who have replaced Renaissance, had thrashed Cornish All-stars 9-1 earlier in the evening, but were up against an obviously better defence. Even after CCP fell behind, they probed the Bhoys defence, with Scott Laity seeing a couple of long-range efforts well-saved by the 'keeper. And the blues got the equaliser after great work by Jonny Lee, tackling a Bhoys player in a dangerous position, saw the ball at Tristan Laity's feet, and the midfielder prodded the ball home via the aid of a deflection.

Scott Laity: Well, I hope its the general consensus that we played better tonight than recently. I enjoyed the chance to play MF. Plenty of shots to keep the keeper busy. Thought Glen, Tris and I linked up well. Played loads of passes with a high completion rate. I enjoyed the one where I held it up and played a nicely weighted ball into the middle just past their player for tris to run onto. Just really gutted my mistake cost us the first game. Very gutted but hey, we gained a point which ends our losing streak. Lets keep it going. Build momentum and get some points on the board. I think after tonight we all know we are capable. Jonny, I think you played well at the back. You snapped into challenges and played the ball quite constructively. Not much to pick up on really! Ryan, solid as usual. Just need to take a bit of pace off those balls out of the defence. Other than that, I enjoyed seeing you win those high balls and badgering players. Noticed you talking a lot today too. Tris, a good return to the team. I think we've missed the fact that you can score the occasional goal from absolutely nothing! As your fitness returns, you'll become a lot happier to drop back and keep with your mark. My main criticism was that you often didn't look up to pass the ball. If you hear someone call, just give a quick glance and play it. No one is going to winge if it doesn't make it as you've tried. Glen, good running buddy. Keep that up and you wont need to go swimming. It was a shame you didn't get many shots today as your eye for a goal is much better than mine. Some good link up play between you and tris! I remember one where he passed to you, you back-heeled it into his path and unfortunately their defender got across before he could take a shot. Rob, almost faultless. I would ask that you pass the ball out quicker sometimes and more often along the floor as we are struggling to control the high ball all the time. Other than that, I think you are getting stronger in goal each week. You should play 11 a side for us! I'd welcome feedback on me from you guys as I wont know what needs to be improved for upcoming games. All I can say is that im really enjoying 6 a side and mostly enjoying playing with you lot! Even though the ref does mock me for coming close at scoring but not quite close enough!

Ryan Cooper: You did well Scott besides the attempted Cruyff turn that cost us. Confident with the ball and some very encouraging attempts at goal. I do think that for both you and Tristan to work in midfield, you need to want the ball to feet more and drop a few yards to collect it. When I did get the ball, I only had Jonny to pass to (and he was often under pressure), so I usually had to knock it down the line for Glen to chase.

Tristan Laity: Ryan fair enuf u sayabout droppin mre. but quite a few times useem to only pass dwn the sides, try looking in the middle and with ur quick fast passes u can pass between to opposite players. as I was a lottttttttttttttttt of the time in the middle al that was needed was a pass between to widly spreaIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII should of called loudeIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII call den they will knw im theIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII thought it was a good performance yesterday, and apparently a lot better then you lot been playing tRyannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn- thought you were pretty solid, jus need to the right amount of pace to the right passIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII mean) but really nice to hear you talking to the midfield and asking them to drop when needed, and controling the defence. overall 7 out of ten johnny- I think played outstanding my runners up motm. you tackled, passed, ran with the ball, my only fall is that like me u could of looked up a bit more, bt overall 8 out of ten scott- my motm, adapted very well to a new position. had a hand full of long range shots which as a team we lacked. ran with the ball and made space, also passed the ball either into space for someone to run onto or to the players feet inch perferct. we all knw that we benifit from your throw ins. and looks promiseing in that position for the future. overall 9 out of ten. glen- every game you play u seem to get better. yesterday you put in an amazing amount of work rate in.

your always looking to ofload the ball either into space or peoples feet. I fink it helped u out having me and scott to help support and give you options to pass to up front. however you seemed abit quiet out there. overall 8 out of ten rob- umm don'tttt really fink he had much to do in both games, really unlucky for the goal in da 2nd game, but then if he waqs closed down perhaps wouldn't't't't of gone in ( im at blame for that)always up for the game and I fink a key reliable player. overall 8 out of ten however im really glad to be back. had a great time not only playing football but also spending time all together as mates. and I fink from now on is the start of our come back. I fink that me and scott and glen work well together, especially when 1 of us get tiredand drop bk giving johnny a chanceto come up. really looking forward to next week. COME ON YOU BLUESSSSS LOL

11th March 2009:Champions League Group CGame 7-CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish Falcons (1) 3GK: Rob Parker; DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, James ?; FW: Glen Cooper.

CCP again endured a 3-0 defeat against the Falcons in the final bout of this season's quadrilogy that reads 0-3, 0-2, 0-3, 0-3. It was an encouraging performance, however, and we'll be delighted to not have to play these guys again any time soon!

Game 8-CCP awarded a default 3-0 win after Axel failed to attend.

Friendly:CCP FC (0) 1 (Tristan Laity 13), City Boys (0) 2GK: Rob Parker; DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, James ?; FW: Glen Cooper.

Because of Axel departing Soccernights, CCP faced up against City Boys in a friendly. In an even contest, City Boys went 2-0 up, but CCP got a consolation goal when Glen Cooper battled well to win back possession and square the ball to Tristan Laity, who finished at the back post.

18th March 2009:Game 19-CCP FC (0) 0, No Stars FC (0) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Tristan Laity, Jonathan Lee; MF: James Dower, FW: Ryan Cooper, Glen Cooper.

An experimental CCP side lined up against No Stars, with Ryan Cooper playing a rare attacking position with his brother Glen. The pair showed promise in the first half. Glen flicked a header on for Ryan to run onto, and Ryan's first-time hit was deflected wide of the post by a lunging block from a defender. Glen Cooper then hooked a bouncing ball over the bar from a Tristan Laity throw-in that deceived No Stars' defence. As fate would have it, No Stars scored the winning goal with their only chance, early in the second half. A high ball pumped over from the No Stars left was missed by Jonathan Lee, who let the striker roll him and dart into space. Taking one touch, the forward then spanked a daisy cutter across Rob Parker and into the bottom left hand corner.

Game 20-CCP FC (0) 0, Heron Hackers (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Tristan Laity, Jonathan Lee; MF: James Dower, FW: Ryan Cooper, Glen Cooper.

Against a more daunting prospect in third-placed Hackers, CCP started positively and subjected their defence to early pressure that nearly yielded a goal. Ryan Cooper displayed his defensive nature by tackling a dawdling defender with the ball, and played in his brother, whose turn and shot was touched onto the left-hand post and behind by the goalkeeper's foot. Hackers, as you may expect, looked dangerous when presented the freedom to play and this reflected in the game's only goal just before half time. With a quick three on three counter-attack, the Hackers forward knocked a clever square pass across the box and the onrushing midfielder just got to the ball before the recovering Ryan Cooper to poke home from close range. CCP continued to apply pressure with numerous dead ball situations and long range shots, but without testing the goalkeeper. James Dower was unlucky not to see the net bulge as his shot from fifteen yards missed the top right hand corner by a yard. Hackers at the other end could have sewn it up when their striker cut inside Jonathan Lee down the right and hit a low left footer that Rob Parker smothered.

Analysis:I think the two tall strikers added a new dimension to our general play. One of No Stars' defenders was visibly nervous to face a strike partnership of a combined height of 12' 8". More importantly, Glen wasn't marooned in attack like usual. He cannot apply sufficient pressure to their defence from goal kicks by himself. As a result, opposition run at us with numbers over because we can't give them pressure early. By having me and Glen on the defenders, the goalkeeper had to play it long. This simple tactic eased the pressure on our defence considerably, as did our ability to win throw-ins and keep the ball away from them. In a refreshing change, we weren't put under any sustained periods of pressure, even against promotion-chasing Hackers. Indeed, I would suggest we did enough to win both games, but couldn't turn promise into goals. The key concern is our lack of spontaneity. We created more than enough chances to earn six points, but a combination of good defending and a lack of confidence in front of goal has thwarted us. It could be said we are a robust team that is high on defensive steel and commitment but low on lateral thinking and flair. Hackers put together one nice move and scored the winner from it. No Stars had one chance, which of course they absolutely buried. This is the sort of one touch, bang, goal that Rock firing on all cylinders is capable of, or a fully-fit Johnser is capable of. That sort of goalscoring player is the difference between us being second bottom and looking with intent at a promotion spot like we did last season.

25th March 2009:Champions League Group CGame 7-CCP FC (0) 0, Trevas Tractor boys (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, FW: James Dower, Glen Cooper.

An impressive performance for CCP against the mighty Tractor boys in the third meeting of the two teams this season. Quite why we've had to play the best team in the league thrice in the group stage is a mystery. Jim Dower started in attack with Glen Cooper, with Scott Lethbridge coming into midfield. It was a surprisingly even contest to start, Tractor boys obviously with the lion's share of the ball, but with a ponderous, languid nature about them. Indeed, CCP could have drawn first blood when Ryan Cooper stole in before a Trevas striker to intercept a cross and send the ball down the right flank for Dower in oceans of space. Bearing down on goal, Marlon pulled the trigger, a fizzing shot across goal that the 'keeper spectacularly turned around the post at full stretch. Tractor boys then took the lead when a forward danced a little two easily between the challenges of Glen Cooper and Tristan Laity to roll the ball home left-footed from close range. Glen Cooper then had a goal ruled out when Dower did well to square the ball into him. Cooper finished, but the ball was adjudged to have been inside the 'D'. Rob Parker then warmed his gloves to edge over a left wing shot. The second half was cat and mouse and Trevas invited CCP on, looking to catch them on the break. They had many shots from distance and one or two good chances to kill the game off, but CCP finished to game with some pride to take away.

Game 8-CCP FC (0) 0, Vote 4 Pedro (0) 0GK: Some Guy; DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, FW: James Dower, Glen Cooper.

Rob Parker temporarily defected to join his new charges, Vote 4 Pedro, a team that included Jim Molyneaux in defence. So, CCP needed to borrow some guy to fill in between the sticks. It was a well-contested first half was low on chances. Molyneaux weaved between a couple of challenges and was about to pull the trigger when Ryan Cooper powered into the challenge to block the shot, injuring himself in the process. Scott Lethbridge's deceptive corner kick from the right bounced through unchallenged to Ryan Cooper, who waited for the ball to go across his body before awkwardly side footing his finish wide of the right hand post from close range. The only real chance for CCP gone awry. At the other end, a long range shot had some guy scrambling to fumble the ball around the post. It was a really tight second half even lower on goalmouth incident. Some guy saved a low shot, but the ball squirmed under his body and bounced up off the floor and just over the crossbar.

Analysis:I thought we performed excellently tonight considering the patched up nature of our teams. I thought we may struggle against Rob's team without a recognised goalkeeper but defended brilliantly in a very tight game. We defended very well against the Tractor boys too, who could only find the net once against a side they have scored 12 against in the previous two meetings. They looked a little leggy but we made life difficult for

them at times, with their goalie producing a couple of decent saves. They could arguably have put the game to bed in a five minute spell of pressure in the second half. I think we've been coming back strong in recent weeks without the results to show for it, but there's no reason why can't finish the season strongly now.

8th April 2009:Game 21-CCP FC (0) 1 (Glen Cooper 13), Carnon Downers (2) 5GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Lethbridge, Ryan Cooper; MF: Simon Shaw, FW: James Dower, Glen Cooper.

Game 22-CCP FC (0) 1 (Glen Cooper 6), Pasty Lovers (0) 3GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Simon Shaw, FW: Scott Lethbridge, Glen Cooper.

15th April 2009:SNIFA Cup Round of 16CCP FC 0, Smack My Pitch Up 3Smack My Pitch Up awarded a default 3-0 win after CCP failed to attend.


22 3 4 15 8 31 -23 13

Champions League:P W D L F A GD Pts.

8 2 0 6 8 26 -18 6

Progress in Cup Competition:SNIFA Cup Round of 16


Glen COOPER30 appearances7 goals8 clean sheets

FW Ryan COOPER28 appearances1 goal8 clean sheets

DF

Rob PARKER23 appearances0 goals7 clean sheets

GK Jonathan LEE20 appearances0 goals6 clean sheets

MF, DF

Scott LAITY16 appearances0 goals6 clean sheets

DF James FINDLAY16 appearances0 goals5 clean sheets

MF, FW

Tristan LAITY14 appearances3 goals2 clean sheets

MF, GK, FW James DOWER10 appearances0 goals1 clean sheets

FW, DF

Jim MOLYNEAUX4 appearances1 goal3 clean sheets

FW Scott LETHBRIDGE6 appearances0 goals1 clean sheet

FW, MF

Jamie DURRANT2 appearances0 goals0 clean sheets

MF Simon ?2 appearances0 goals0 clean sheets

FW

James ???2 appearances0 goals0 clean sheets

MF Scott ???2 appearances0 goals1 clean sheets

DF

Simon SHAW2 appearances0 goals0 clean sheets

MF Stephen WILLIAMS2 appearances0 goals0 clean sheets

FW

CCP FC Sixes April 2009- August 2009

Soccer Nights Wednesday League (Championship)-League Table:

League:Pos. P W D L F A GD Pts.

4th / 12 22 11 4 7 26 22 4 37 / 66

Champions League Group A:Pos. P W D L F A GD Pts.

5th / 6 10 3 4 3 16 11 5 13 / 30

Progress in Cup Competition:SNIFA Cup Semi Finals


Lee ALBERTS36 appearances,35 goals (97%),13 clean sheets (36%)Ever present, Top Scorer

MF Ryan COOPER36 appearances,0 goals,13 clean sheets (36%)Ever present

DF

Scott LETHBRIDGE30 appearances,2 goals (7%),10 clean sheets (30%)

FW James DOWER29 appearances,1 goal (3%),10 clean sheets (34%)

MF

Rob PARKER22 appearances,0 goals,10 clean sheets (45%)

GK Jonathan LEE15 appearances,0 goals,4 clean sheets (27%)

DF

Scott LAITY8 appearances,0 goals,3 clean sheets (38%)

DF Arron WALLACE6 appearances,5 goals (83%),2 clean sheets (33%)

FW

John ???5 appearances,0 goals,2 clean sheets (40%)

DF James FINDLAY4 appearances,0 goals,2 clean sheets (50%)

MF

Tristan LAITY4 appearances,0 goals,2 clean sheets (50%)

DF Alex ???3 appearances,0 goals,2 clean sheets (66%)

MF

Neil ???3 appearances,0 goals,

FW Steve MORRIS3 appearances,0 goals,

GK


2 clean sheets (66%) 2 clean sheets (66%)

Glen COOPER2 appearances,0 goals,1 clean sheet (50%)

MF Simon AINSLEY2 appearances,0 goals,1 clean sheet (50%)

FW

Ben MINNS2 appearances,0 goals,1 clean sheet (50%)

GK Adrian PALMER2 appearances,0 goals,0 clean sheets (50%)

MF

Ben ???2 appearances,0 goals,0 clean sheets

DF Jonathan BOONE2 appearances,0 goals,0 clean sheets

GK

Gianluigi BUFFON2 appearances,0 goals,0 clean sheets

GK

Results:

22nd April 2009:Game 1-CCP FC (0) 0, Average Joes (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Tristan Laity; FW: James Findlay, Lee Alberts.

A new-look CCP went down 1-0 to Average Joes despite being the better side. The Blues were caught out numerically from a corner kick and a quick Joes counter-attack resulted in Joes striker Keaner finishing after a one-two. CCP focussed most of their play through débutante Lee Alberts, who looked lively but was a little off in the finish. When the bald-headed striker did hit the target, he found their 'keeper in top form. James Dower also saw a shot clip the outside of the post in the second half.

Game 2-CCP FC (0) 0, Carnon Downers (0) 0GK: Jonathan Boone; DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Findlay; FW: Tristan Laity, Lee Alberts.

Against a Downers side that thumped them 5-1 only two weeks before, CCP were resolute and could have won the game when James Findlay curled a right footed shot just wide of the left hand post. The Blues' stand-in goalie on loan from Average Joes turned from the bane of CCP in the previous match to their hero when he brilliantly clawed a shot out of the bottom left-hand corner in the last minute.

22nd April 2009:Game 3-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 17), Golden Retrievers (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Glen Cooper; FW: Tristan Laity, Lee Alberts.

CCP toiled in a close game and looked dangerous in quick bursts with Alberts, who peppered the Golden Retrievers goal with shots. Retrievers caught CCP on the break a few times but lacked a final product. CCP took the lead late on when Ryan Cooper beat the Retrievers forward to meet a deep cross with a leaping header. Alberts shielded the bouncing ball and beautifully span the defender at his back. One-on-one, the forward finished calmly underneath the goalkeeper's body. It was too late in the game for Retrievers to realistically get back into it and the Blues celebrated their first win in 24 competitive games.

Game 4-CCP FC (0) 0, Sciatico Muchobadback (2) 3GK: Rob Parker; DF: Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower; FW: Glen Cooper, Lee Alberts.

The celebrations were short-lived however when a much-changed Sciatico team brought CCP crashing to earth. The Blues only had themselves to blame for the goals they conceded, with no tracking back presenting a dangerous Sciatico team numerous counter attacks.

The first goal came when nobody closed down their midfielder following a cleared corner and his swerving shot deceived Rob Parker in goal. A three-on-two break out of nowhere then led to an inevitable second goal just before half time. Alberts couldn't have come closer though to getting CCP back into the game when he smashed the right hand post after skipping inside a defender from the left. The third goal came in similar circumstances to the second, huge holes before the back two were duly exploited for the third to make Sciatico comfortable. CCP could have scored a consolation when Ryan Cooper struck a full volley at the back post from a corner that missed the top left hand corner by a yard.

Analysis:I am pleased with our points return for the evening. If we can get 3 or 4 / 6 points most weeks, then it will be a great improvement on last season. I have always maintained a striker with the confidence to score goals can make a big difference for us. I know Lee can be greedy, but his fire-power will win us games, just as his excellent turn and finish won us the first game. The Retrievers win was fully merited, but had they made more of the counter attacks we permitted them, it may have been a different story. Tracking back from advanced areas was quite terrible all evening and I feel a better team might have punished us. This is where Sciatico came in. That particular team had two Illogan FC 1sts in it and I imagine they will be right up there if they can keep that group. Some our players looked like they had given up frankly and made it too easy for them. I still feel we're just that one player short at the moment. Someone like Jim Molyneaux would have been brilliant but alas, it's not to be.

6th May 2009:Game 5-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 18), Pasty Lovers (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge, Simon.

CCP left it late to defeat the Pasty Lovers in this well-contested encounter. The Pasties had beaten CCP in a late flurry of goals on the last day of last season, but it was their turn to taste late defeat with a late Lee Alberts strike. Similarly to last week, it was Ryan Cooper who won possession then played in Alberts, who span the defender at his back. This time, he had a bit of work to do, fending off another defender before in-stepping the ball across the goalkeeper and into the bottom right hand corner. It had been coming, with CCP largely the better side. They could have taken the lead in the first half when Simon hit a post after a determined run. Rob Parker had to make a good low save and catch in the dying moments as Pasties threw the kitchen sink at us in search of an equaliser, but it was his only act of the game and CCP took the points.

Game 6-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 20), Cornish All-stars (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge, Simon.

If the Blues left it late in the last game, they couldn't have cut in any finer against the bottom side to snatch a draw. With literally the last kick of the game, Alberts notched another important goal in the same position as last time to really break All-stars' hearts. In all fairness, we deserved at least a point for our endeavours, but All-stars had the look about them of a side who shouldn't be down the bottom as they started vibrantly and put us under pressure from the off with good movement. They took a deserved lead after five minutes from a corner kick. They committed three bodies forward against CCP's back two and the ball bounced up for their striker, who chested down and shot through Parker. It wasn't the wake up call CCP needed, because the All-stars continued to press until half time. CCP came out of the traps better after the break, but had little to show for their dominance. We applied serious pressure to their defence from numerous corners and throw-ins. But the last-gasp equaliser was merited on the balance of play, though the goalkeeper will be disappointed to just watch it go across him and nestle inside the post.

Analysis:We played some superb football in the first game, as well as we've played for a long time. From the back, through the middle and in attack, we retained the ball immaculately. And it helped us against potentially dangerous opponents in Pasties. As John Champion once said: "If you have the ball, your opponents can't score". Apart from a shot saved by Rob right at the end, they offered us very little. It was more laboured in the second, with us applying the pressure without the reward. We started poorly, thinking that because they were bottom, they would roll over for us. Quite the contrary, All-stars reminded me of us from last season. Hard-working but with little end product, but certainly competitive. It may be best for

us to not look at the league before going into games, because all games here are potentially difficult and we need to concentrate more on us than our opponents.

13th May 2009:Champions League Group AGame 1-CCP FC (2) 2 (Lee Alberts 2, 9), Six English (1) 4GK: Martin Keane; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Findlay, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

Against Six English, CCP led the match twice, but ultimately succumbed to the Premiership high flyers' pace and counter attacking. Lee Alberts put the Blues into an early lead with a powerful low shot before the Premiership side equalised with an exquisite chip from the edge of the box. Alberts then re-established the lead with a tremendous ranged finish after Scott Lethbridge had held the ball up well. CCP kept the lead by virtue of a last-ditch tackle by Ryan Cooper on their striker as he raced through on goal seconds before the whistle. After the break, Six English turned on the style with three unanswered goals. Cooper tackled their striker, forcing him into the right wing position. He then cut back and squared the ball into the middle, where their other striker darted in front of Jim Dower to slot home from close range. English then took a controversial lead when Cooper went down injured after a firm 50-50 challenge. However, the referee had spotted an earlier infringement against CCP and allowed a quick free kick to be taken with Cooper still out of the game. A three-on-one scenario culminated in an inevitable goal to put the Premiership side into the lead for a third time. James Findlay flicked a lovely ball over the head of the defender and Scott Lethbridge met it full volley for the goalkeeper to produce an acrobatic save to his left to turn it around the post. With CCP opening up in search of the equaliser, English killed it off with a late three-on-two counter-attack

Game 2-CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 4, 9), Golden Bhoys (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge, Simon.

The second tie of the evening pitted CCP against early Championship pace-setters Golden Bhoys in another tough game. CCP showed terrific desire throughout the team and ruthlessness in front of goal to upset another highly placed rival. Another early lead came through the prolific Alberts. Ryan Cooper played a searching ball down the left flank and the bald striker took out two defenders at once with a shimmy, before cutting in from the left and hammering a low shot into the bottom right from twelve yards. The Cooper-Alberts tandem continued again before half time when the big defender cut out a diagonal through ball and took the ball forwards down the right wing this time. A low pass to Alberts and the team's top scorer (and only scorer) turned, took out the defender and slotted home. The second half was about consolidation and CCP produced an archetypal shut out. We could have killed the game off when Alberts was denied his hat trick by the goalkeeper's shoulder and the top of the crossbar. Rob Parker, a virtually forgotten man in this game, watched a speculative shot flirt with the outside of his right hand post, before producing a comfortable low save when their striker got a rare chance to shoot from the right, moments before time.

20th May 2009:Game 7-CCP FC (0) 0, Golden Bhoys (1) 2GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

CCP suffered the exact reverse of the scoreline they had inflicted only a week before to the Bhoys in the Champions League. This week, they faced a stronger side that look more like second-placed in the Championship. The Blues were in truth sluggish throughout the game and didn't perform to anything like their capabilities. Bhoys took the lead when Ryan Cooper's tackle on a striker was very late and pulled back for a free kick. The finish from the free kick around the wall was powerful and accurate, blasting into Rob Parker's top right hand corner, past the dive of the goalkeeper from around ten yards. CCP did just enough to remain in the game and while they weren't firing on all cylinders, had a couple of half-chances through Lee Alberts. But Bhoys' controversial second goal was a hammer blow and it can only be called a poor refereeing decision. Parker made a save from a left wing shot and the loose ball trickled out towards the edge of the penalty area. James Dower was waiting to tap the ball back to his goalkeeper when he was unceremoniously bundled into the 'D' from behind by an opponent. Dower touched the ball inside and a remarkable penalty decision was awarded. The spot kick sent Parker the wrong way, nestling in off the left

hand post. Alberts could have restored some pride for CCP with a right wing angled shot, but the goalkeeper clawed it behind for a corner kick.

Game 2-CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 3, 20), Cornish Mafia (0) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

Against third-placed Mafia in another tough game, CCP scored a dramatic late winner after looking to have thrown away two points. Alberts scored his trademark right wing shot across the goalkeeper to give the Blues an early lead. Cornish Mafia, a professional-looking outfit with their names embroidered in their shorts, were billed as a rapid passing team with devastating long shooting. They certainly tried to test Parker on-sight, but the goalkeeper was rarely tested. The Mafia counter-attacked quickly and got an equaliser with only moments to spare when a four on three counter-attack culminated in a left footed shot from an angle that fizzed into the net. However, it was not the final word. From the centre kick, Scott Lethbridge received a pass, controlled the ball down the left and squared to Alberts, whose first-time half volley went under the body of the goalkeeper and into the centre of the net. It was literally the last kick and sent CCP into victorious delirium.

3rd June 2009:Game 9-CCP FC (1) 3 (Lee Alberts 6, 14, own goal 13), Rehab Madrid (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: James Dower, Scott Lethbridge.

CCP claimed a somewhat flattering 3-0 win against struggling Madrid, who boasted Rob Parker's and Ryan Cooper's team-mate Simon in attack. The match saw CCP probe and Madrid threaten to take advantage of some sloppy marking on the break. The Blues took the lead midway through the half when Scott Lethbridge wonderfully back heeled a ball into the path of Lee Alberts through the middle, and the striker made no mistake from eight yards. The second goal calmed a few CCP nerves with the game still finely balanced. It came through the high throw-ins of Ryan Cooper, which had tested them all game. A left wing throw caused a communication breakdown between defender and goalkeeper, and the former cushioned an inadvertent back header into his own net. It was the only goal so far out of 12 this season not to be scored by Alberts. If Madrid thought this was an unfortunate goal to concede, the immediate third was the epitome of their rotten luck. The goalkeeper scooped up a loose pass and tried to kick the ball out quickly, but only thumped it into the back of the retreating Alberts. One of the league's leading scorers displayed his instincts by spinning and returning the ball with interest into the top right hand corner. It should have been four when Lethbridge was played in by Alberts right of centre. One on one with the goalkeeper and having taken a controlling touch, the striker contrived to sky his shot from close range. CCP deserved to win the game due to their sometimes inventive football and their strength at both ends of the field, but Madrid would be aggrieved at such a discrepancy in the score line, having forced Parker into one or two decent saves and toiling hard in the evening heat. But, as CCP understand only too well from last season's struggle, the difference between a lowly side and a successful side is a goal scorer.

Game 10-CCP FC (0) 0, Shining Whites (0) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: Jonathan Lee, Scott Lethbridge.

Going into the second game on a high, CCP faced bottom side Shining Whites and just as they had against Cornish All-stars when they were bottom, underperformed. CCP were the stronger team but Alberts wasn't permitted the same space as in the previous game and the Blues struggled to create. The defence was increasingly shoddy in its marking and Whites counter attacked with numbers over. The decisive goal came in the second half, when Jonathan Lee was penalised for a challenge in the right-centre of the field. Despite Lee and James Dower both in close attendance of the lone striker, neither man picked him up as he latched onto the quick free kick. Racing through on Parker's goal uncontested, the little forward finished to the goalkeeper's near post to give the basement side a lead to desperately hold onto. And CCP preceded to batter them, Alberts forcing stand-in goalkeeper Karl into a fine save to repel an angled snapshot from the right. The Blues were then given a glorious route back into the contest when their defender was adjudged to have touched the ball inside the 'D'. Alberts stepped up and sent Karl the wrong way but crashed his spot kick onto the crossbar and away. Whites then could have wrapped up the win on the immediate three-on-two counter attack, but their striker swept the ball wide of Parker's right hand post when played in on goal.

Alberts was certain he had found the equaliser when his right wing dipping hammer shot produced a world-class save from Karl to his right, a full-stretch glove to turn it away from goal. That was all for CCP and had to be content with just the three points for the evening.

Analysis:I don't feel the two man attack worked so well this time. It presented the defenders with problems because there tended to be a bunching between the two strikers and Lee, who all seemed to hunt in packs. I feel both opponents today found joy with quick balls down the wings, which may have been combated with an extra body in midfield. I also feel Lee was stifled by having a more defensive minded lone role in midfield, especially so in the second game. 9/10 times we would have got a result against Shining Whites, despite playing poorly, but we met them on the evening when we missed a penalty and their goalkeeper produced two "worldy" saves. The thing that concerns me more than anything else this season is our mentality against lower-placed sides. Our record against sides above us at the start of play is terrific: 9 points from a possible 12, but we've played a bottom-placed side on two occasions and only got 1 point from a possible 6. I feel it would certainly benefit us if we did not look into who we are playing, just the kick-off times. Our record of winning 4 and losing 4 from 10 games shows that inconsistency is a problem for us. On the plus side, I think Scotty is getting better every week in that target man role, and his confidence in chesting the ball down to team-mates is increasingly evident. Terrific back flick for Lee's first goal!

10th June 2009:Champions League Group A:Game 3-CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 7), Dagenham & Redruth (1) 2GK: Gianluigi Buffon; DF: Adrian Palmer, Ryan Cooper; MF: Ben, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

A makeshift blues team gave a good account of themselves against fourth-placed Premiership side D&R, but were undone by early and late goals that sandwiched a Lee Alberts equaliser. D&R took an early lead when their forward ran Ben down the right wing and lashed in a shot that managed to beat Ryan Cooper at his near post via the arm of the stand-in goalkeeper. Cooper then had a hand in the equaliser when his long, high overarm throw deceived a D&R defender, leaving Scott Lethbridge in on goal. The striker's shot was repelled by Karl, but Alberts was on hand to sweep home the rebound. Matt Gianluigi Buffon in the CCP goal was making himself busy with some good saves, one a tremendous stop from a long range shot that was arrowing towards the top left hand corner. But it was the last-gasp goal to break CCP hearts when D&R hit the blues on a three-on-two counter-attack Ryan Cooper was drawn in to attack the man with the ball, but he slid a through pass to their forward down the vacated right side and he hit home the winner with seconds remaining.

Game 4-CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 8), Carnon Downers (1) 1GK: Gianluigi Buffon; DF: Adrian Palmer, Ryan Cooper; MF: Ben, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

Against rivals Carnon Downers, CCP were given an equally stiff test and trailed early on in the game. Ben and Adrian Palmer seemed to miscommunicate as Downers flashed in a low right wing cross. The ball broke kindly for the striker to stroke home the ball from close range. The equaliser was soon in coming when Alberts broke through the defensive line and found himself only up against their skilful number 5, who you'd normally associate with asking questions of the CCP defence. Alberts took him on, beat him down the outside and angled his finish across the goalkeeper and inside the far post. In the second half, Buffon made a good snap save at his near post when Cooper's clearing header was returned on the half-volley. And Alberts might have won it for CCP near the end when he raced through on goal. Forced wide by the goalkeeper, Alberts struck a low shot that was well-saved and turned out for a corner kick.

17th June 2009:Game 11-CCP FC (1) 1 (James Dower 11), Heron Hackers (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

CCP FC welcomed Scott Laity back into the side after a three month hiatus following a knee injury. His return was daunting as the Blues were to face second-placed Hackers and leaders Golden Bhoys in the same evening. Lee Alberts and Scott Lethbridge arrived late so in came Vote 4 Pedro stars Jim Molyneaux and Nick to start

the game. James Dower had a good chance to give CCP an early lead when he was played in down the left by Lee Alberts and his side-footed shot was on target but got a nick off the goalkeeper's trailing leg en route for a corner kick. In an increasingly one-sided first half in terms of chances, Ryan Cooper made a lung bursting run down the left flank to meet a clever Molyneaux square ball with a firm strike that fizzed a couple of yards wide of the right hand post. Lethbridge and Alberts returned to the side for the second half and CCP's leading scorer had an impact as he set up the decisive goal. After rolling a midfielder, Alberts threaded a diagonal ball to the right and Dower had made the run to pivot and sweep an accurate low shot across the goalkeeper and inside the far post. It was Dower's first goal in senior football and he became the only other CCP player to score this season. Hackers had asked questions of the CCP defence but offered Parker little to worry about. A floated cross from the right wing was met with an ambitious left-foot volley at the back stick. A great attempt, but it was never going to concern the goalkeeper. CCP were camped in their own half somewhat in the second half, but defended well in numbers and looked to suck Hackers in to finish it on the break. Alberts was forced wide right by a defender and lashed a fierce shot onto the top of the crossbar with such force that the ball left the arena. Then there were big appeals for a professional foul when Alberts rounded the goalkeeper down the left and rode a high sliding challenge which got none of the ball and sent the forward sprawling, but no decision was given. It was moot, as the Blues held on comfortably for an impressive win against a promotion rival.

Game 12-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 12), Golden Bhoys (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

CCP were boosted by the news leaders Bhoys -who had beaten them 2-0 earlier in the season- had only five players, as their goalkeeper had let them down. It was an inauspicious start however when James Dower played a blind pass that was intercepted by their centre forward. As he ran through on goal, he demonstrated a lack of composure by drilling a shot well over. A let off for CCP. Bhoys had an equally good chance from further sloppy CCP defending from a throw-in. Their short, skilful striker was totally unmarked to receive a flicked header and his first time shot went wide from eight yards with Parker rooted. Alberts then had a great chance when he collected a Lethbridge pass from the left and his deft close control took his marker out of the game, but he skewed his finish wide from in front of the goal. He later forced a save from the legs of Bhoys' stand-in goalkeeper with a disguised finish. The best thing as far as CCP were concerned was it was still level at half time and a goal in our favour would present 5-man Bhoys with a mountain to climb. The leaders had hustled and harried, but would surely tire against the numbers disadvantage. CCP were indeed much more positive in the second half and used the extra man to good advantage with patient build up. The goal came when Bhoys failed to pressure the man in possession for the only time of the match, and it was costly. Cooper had oceans of space down the left flank to carry the ball. He played the ball inside to Alberts, who rolled the midfielder, turned and casually stroked a shot into the bottom left from fifteen yards. But the leaders had a chance to level when Cooper lost a lofted ball in the low hung sun. Their forward, surprised the ball had got through, snatched at the shot and it skimmed harmlessly wide. Alberts forced another save by the legs of Bhoys' goalkeeper from a tight angle, before Parker bravely charged down their striker as he looked to shoot from the left. The win cemented CCP's first double clean sheet for 6 months and our first 6 point return for nearly 8 months. And it came in the two toughest league fixtures we will play this season.

24th June 2009:Game 13-CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 8), Cornish Mafia (1) 1GK: "Booner"; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

On the back of two fine results against 1st and 2nd last week, CCP looked for another good points return against mid-table Cornish Mafia and rock-bottom Cornish All-stars Scott Lethbridge was denied early in the game by a smart save after Lee Alberts had clipped in a splitting square pass from the left. Lethbridge even had the leisure of an extra touch before his side footed finish was blocked by the knees of the 'keeper. James Dower also befell the same fate a few minute as later when his low shot was well saved after he had received an Alberts pass down the right. And Mafia took the lead very much against the run of play. From a low corner from the right, their striker tussled with Dower, got in front of him and slotted home, with Booner not quite able to keep it out of the top right. Dower complained of a shove, but the referee saw no infringement and the goal stood. The equaliser was soon in coming and Alberts predictably was the one to score. It was a composed, low

side footed finish from the left across the goalkeeper after being fed by Lethbridge. The blues should have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick after a defender had headed the ball away while positioned inside the D. Ryan Cooper relieved Alberts of spot-kick duty and stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way, but dragged the ball a yard wide of the left hand post. You would think it would have won the game for CCP, who were untroubled defensively barring a comfortable Booner save. The blues were certainly the better team, but had to make do with a solitary point.

Game 14-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 17), Cornish All-stars (0) 2GK: "Booner"; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

Their right forward, having weaved past Alberts and Dower at speed, now ran at Cooper and beat him, but Cooper had enough to force him wide and drill his shot over the bar. Their left sided striker then darted through on goal to meet a slide rule pass and was about to shoot at goal when Ryan Cooper lunged in to dispossess him, having sprinted nearly the width of the field. It was a poor first half for the Blues in which they were fortunate to be on level terms and this indeed was the positive going into the business end of the game. But they continued to play a dangerous game against an All-stars side that belied their basement boys status. Alberts laid a sloppy square pass looking for Laity that was intercepted by their left winger, who darted into space down the left. With only Booner to beat, he skied his attempted finish to let CCP off the hook. It emulated a couple of decent chances from the left winger that he could only put over when well-placed. All-stars exploited a gap that had formed behind Laity following a CCP corner and their left wing forward strode through to tuck the ball in low to the bottom left corner for a thoroughly deserved lead. The left winger, confidence rejuvenated following his opening goal, soon took on Laity, beat him with a clever step over, burst through and finished in much the same manner as his first goal. Despite being mostly second-best, CCP did almost immediately find a route back into the game. Ryan Cooper beat their man to a 50-50 and was brought down by a late challenge. The referee ticked off the transgressor and the Blues had a free kick on the halfway line. Alberts stepped up and drilled in a corking low shot from an inconceivable distance that skimmed into the bottom right hand corner. CCP had been very poor in this second game and did not deserve anything as the final whistle blew, with wayward passing and slow reactions defensively the main contributors to their downfall. Had the left winger (who still scored a brace) been more incisive, this could have been a brutal score line for the Blues to digest; the goal difference at least wasn't badly harmed. It could also be said that All-stars must not attend most weeks because I have been very impressed on the two occasions we've met, the basement boys offering us a sterner test than many of the sides near the top of the league.

24th June 2009:Champions League Group A:Game 5-CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 5), Dagenham & Redruth (2) 2GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

CCP gave a good account of themselves again against the Premiership high flyers, but didn't quite have enough to nick a point. D&R took an early lead when their centre forward sprinted onto an accurate lofted ball down the right of centre. Faced by Scott Laity, the forward hit an opportune shot from a tight angle with enough venom and accuracy to beat Rob Parker. The underdogs struck back a few minutes later though, when Lee Alberts had a couple of shots saved by goalkeeper Karl in an almighty scramble down the left, but his third effort did enough to beat him and find the net. D&R re-established the lead and showed why they are one of the better teams in the whole competition with an excellent breakaway goal just before half time. Swift interchange of passing from wide to centre then back to wide pulled apart CCP's back peddling defence. The striker then cut inside Laity down the left and hammered a shot into the back of the net. Parker produced two or three good saves after the break to keep the Blues in contention but the Premiership side you feel had enough to keep their Championship counterparts at arm's length.

Game 6-CCP FC (0) 0, Smack My Pitch Up (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

The last time these sides met, a keenly contested 0-0 draw unfolded. And such was the case again in a tight affair in which a point to either side was fair. Rob Parker produced a couple of smart saves and saw a shot edge wide off his left hand post, before Alberts thought he had won it for the Championship side, when he

raced through on goal after skinning a defender. A heavy touch though tempted the goalkeeper out and he produced a low block from a point blank save.

8th July 2009:Game 15-CCP FC (1) 3 (Lee Alberts 5, Scott Lethbridge 13, Arron Wallace 15), Pasty Lovers (2) 2GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Arron Wallace, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

James Dower (knee) and Scott Laity (late shift) were unavailable for duty, so in stepped Jonathan Lee at the back and débutante Arron Wallace in midfield. It was an attack-minded midfield which showed in a defensively questionable first period. The Blues fell behind following a quick four-on-two counter attack after Wallace and Alberts were caught high up the pitch and the goal was inevitable. But the equaliser came within thirty seconds of the restart when Alberts took the ball wide right. When I say wide right, I mean an obscenely tight angle. He struck it true and it somehow went through the goalkeeper at his near post. This goal however wasn't the spark CCP needed to press on and they fell behind for a second time when Ryan Cooper's left wing throw looking for Scott Lethbridge was intercepted by their forward, who took a touch and struck a bobbling shot from range that beat Rob Parker and went in via the right hand post. Wallace pushed into the centre forward's position and Lethbridge dropped into midfield to give a bit more bite in that area and it showed after half time, as CCP pressed Pasties until finding the equaliser. A left wing corner bounced through the back post and there was Lethbridge, falling backwards, to hook the ball into the net for his first ever CCP goal. The Blues then quickly took the lead with the goal of the game. A rapid counter attack, Cooper found Lethbridge, who turned and found Alberts down the right, drawing two defenders with him. Alberts spotted Wallace totally unmarked and squared a perfect pass into him. A steadying touch preceded a calm low finish to the goalkeeper's left. CCP continued to play excellent football and looked comfortable against a clearly deflated Pasties side. Alberts had two further chances to put the game beyond their reach but was foiled by saves from the goalkeeper.

Game 16-CCP FC (0) 0, Sciatico Muchobadback (0) 0GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Arron Wallace, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

CCP were due to face Average Joes in a mouth-watering 3rd versus 1st clash, but due to the tragic death of their goalkeeper Jonathan Boone (who had only played for CCP two weeks before), Joes were replaced by Sciatico Muchobadback. Rob Parker was called into action when their forward got in between Alberts and Lee, drawing a low block from the goalkeeper. And Parker was forced into a good save from a speculative long-range shot that was arrowing into the top right corner in an otherwise uneventful first-half in which CCP had failed to impress again. Sciatico were dealt a blow when they lost a player through injury early in the second half and without a substitute, were forced into a man disadvantage. Whether it helped or hindered CCP was unclear because while they had a lot of space in non-threatening areas, Sciatico's increased presence around their own goal was increased and the Blues could not break them down. The goalkeeper produced a couple of saves from Alberts and Wallace saw his shot deflected over the top but CCP were frustrated and had to be content with the point.

-- R. I. P. Jonathan Boone --

15th July 2009:Champions League Group A:Game 7-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 14), Golden Bhoys (1) 1GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, Lee Alberts; FW: Arron Wallace.

Game 8-CCP FC 3, Six English 0-CCP awarded a default 3-0 victory after Six English failed to attend.

Friendly-CCP FC (2) 3 (Lee Alberts 4, 19, Scott Lethbridge 8), Booner's Boys (0) 3GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, Lee Alberts; FW: Arron Wallace.

15th July 2009:Game 17, 18-CCP FC (4) 4 (Lee Alberts 2, 5, 8, 10), Heron Hackers (0) 2CCP FC (0) 0, Midnight Runners (3) 5

The sublime followed the ridiculous for CCP in a mixed evening against two promotion rivals. Rob Parker was unable to attend and without a replacement goalkeeper, Ryan Cooper went in goal, with John from Halfords partnering Jonathan Lee at the back. The bronzed Adonis James Dower returned from Zante to partner Lee Alberts in midfield, with Scott Lethbridge playing as the lone striker. The Blues enjoyed a searing first half against Heron Hackers in which Alberts helped himself to a staggering four goals, a goal every 2.5 minutes on average. Dower turned provider for Alberts for the first goal with skill and a slipped pass down the right channel for the bald headed striker to turn in. CCP didn't display the same level of dominance in the second half and Cooper was beaten twice to set the nerves jangling just a little but CCP held out and claimed a valuable three points against against our rivals. However, after all that good work, the Blues threw it away against Midnight Runners (formally known as Carnon Downers). In the face of some lethal finishing, we were three-nil down at half time and a 5-0 full time finish put a big dent in CCP's promotion hopes as Runners moved clear into 3rd place.

GK: Ryan Cooper; DF: John ?, Jonathan Lee; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

29th July 2009:Games 19 & 20-CCP FC (1) 3 (Lee Alberts 7, 14, 18), Golden Retrievers (1) 1CCP FC (0) 0, Booner's Boys (0) 1

In an entertaining Soccernights evening, CCP beat mid-table Golden Retrievers but fell 1-0 to champions elect Booner's Boys. Retrievers took the lead when their left sided striker hits a shot which took a massive deflection off Jonathan Lee's back and span agonisingly inside Karl's left hand post. The instant equaliser came when Lee Alberts stuck a terrific half volley into the top right hand corner down the left channel. Two more Alberts goals, one through the goalkeeper's legs to kill the game off, were enough for the Blues to take a deserved three points in their hunt for the third promotion spot. It was a tight second game against Booner's Boys, who were in their third of four games that evening. Scott Lethbridge missed a good chance at the back post in the second half following a James Dower square ball. Our goalkeeper produced a good save from a header after slack marking off of a corner. Booner's Boys clinched it late in the day after a sweeping 2-on-1 counter attack culminated in Tom Lyth finding the back of the net. The game had a tasty moment with Lee predictably involved in a melee involving two Boys' players that had to be split up by other players and the referee.

GK: Karl; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

5th August 2009:Cup Group A:Games 9 & 10-CCP FC (0) 4 (Arron Wallace 12, 15, 17, 19), Midnight Runners (0) 0CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 8, 13), Smack My Pitch Up (0) 2

A tremendous four point return for CCP FC against group leaders Midnight Runners and Premiership side SMPU wasn't enough to secure a maiden journey into the Champions League knock out stages. Despite the Blues' heroics on the final night of cup group games, Golden Bhoys were given a default 3-0 win against the absent Dagenham & Redruth before dismantling Six English 5-1 to put the group conclusion beyond doubt. Runners, who had thumped an understrength CCP side in a potentially decisive Championship game two weeks before, and had taken Six English to the cleaners by the same scoreline earlier that evening, couldn't have anticipated being on the end of a resounding 4-0 hammering. Arron Wallace helped himself to all four goals in a scintillating lesson in finishing, and he hit the post. James Dower also saw an effort hit the post, but was consoled by creating three of the four goals. Just when CCP didn't think things could get better than that, they found themselves in dream land: a 2-0 lead against Smack My Pitch Up, Lee Alberts scoring both after good work by Ryan Cooper and Wallace respectively. But the Premiership's pass-and-move philosophy started to show as the blues' tired legs yielded for a quick fire one-two to get SMPU back on terms. It was a riveting game of football and the Championship underdogs were well worth their point, which will give them belief going into the crucial final week of Championship action next week.

GK: Ben Minns; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Arron Wallace.

12th August 2009:Games 21 & 22-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 12), Rehab Madrid (0) 0CCP FC 3, Cheltenham 0 (Default victory)

Friendlies-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 14), Booner's Boys (2) 2CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 12), Sporting Lesbians (2) 3

CCP achieved their pre-set target of maximum points on the final round of Championship games in their hunt for the third promotion spot. A battling 1-0 win against basement side Rehab Madrid was followed by a default 3-0 from an absent Cheltenham side. The game against Madrid was anything but plain sailing as the lowly side, who had come down from the Premiership, played good football and were a match for the Blues, but had little end product. It was reminiscent of CCP from last season, who finished second bottom because of a lack of consistent goals. This was best demonstrated when the match was sealed by the trusty right boot of Lee Alberts. It was through diligent work and good anticipation from Scott Lethbridge to intercept a sloppy goal kick, then lay a lofted square pass for the marauding Alberts to lash home a half volley into the goalkeeper's bottom right hand corner. It was hard on Madrid, who had created decent openings, but were thwarted by a strong rearguard action and their own wastefulness in the finish. Cheltenham, a new side, failed to attend and CCP were already at the six-point return that they realistically needed to depose both Heron Hackers and Midnight Runners. Would Hackers drop any points tonight, CCP would be guaranteed 4th place at least. Were Midnight Runners to lose one of their two games or achieve only two draws, CCP would finish above them also. Alas, the Blues missed out on the third promotion spot on goal difference from Runners. Both sides finished with 37 points, as Runners dropped points in one of their games, but as feared, CCP's comparatively paltry difference of +2 was not enough to supplant their rivals. How telling indeed was the Blues' 0-5 hammering at the hands of Runners only a few weeks previously.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

19th August 2009:SNIFA Cup Round of 16-CCP (0) 0, Peldrose Pymps (0) 0 [CCP win 3-1 on penalties]

The second round of the cup competition saw CCP FC up against Peldrose Pymps, who finished 8 th in the Premiership. It was a tight, competitive game, with both defences resolute and both sides playing an attractive passing game. CCP welcomed Pasty Lovers goalkeeper Steve Morris in to replace Rob Parker and Alex into midfield. Johns and Neil from Halfords also featured, the latter from the bench initially. The second half was littered by saves by the Pymps goalkeeper, who thwarted Alberts, Lethbridge and Alex all game, while Morris was generally untested. CCP made the better openings but could not find the breakthrough and the game went to a dreaded penalty shoot-out

1-0: Ryan Cooper sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, placing a low side-foot to the bottom left corner.1-0: Their man sees his kick drift wide of the left hand post.

2-0: Alberts drills a shot left of centre that practically takes the goalkeeper into the net with its ferocity.2-1: Needing to score, their man places a confident spot kick to Steve's left.

3-1: With victory only one spot kick away, Neil coolly places his kick to the goalkeeper's left, sending him the wrong way and CCP into the last eight.

Quarter Finals-CCP FC (2) 2 (Lee Alberts 4, 8), Gorilla Unit (1) 1

Next up for the Blues were Gorilla Unit, who narrowly survived relegation from the Premiership. A very young side with a coach and what looked like a thirteen year old in goal, it was obvious the Championship side would need to shoot on site and test the youthful custodian. Gorilla Unit took an early lead when their lanky forward chested down a high ball, span well off John and slotted home from close range. Parity was restored quickly by Lee Alberts with a trademark thunderous shot down the right that the goalkeeper couldn't get near. And the Blues took the lead when Neil fed Alberts in, a slide rule diagonal ball,

and the cropped haired striker unleashed a fizzing shot that again had the goalkeeper terrified as it burst the net. The second half was tense and frantic, but will be memorable by a fantastic double save from Morris to keep a penalty shoot-out at bay. CCP were caught three on two, and the initial shot from close range, left of centre, was parried back into the mixer, with Ryan Cooper grounded having made a flying block attempt. The ball span out to their defender up from the back, one-on-one and he shot at Steve, who made the block and managed to hold it brilliantly and smother.

Semis:CCP FC (0) 0, Six English (0) 0 [Six English win 3-2 on penalties]

The semi finals were a bridge too far for CCP as they suffered shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of 6 th

placed Premier side, Six English. The favourites, who had beaten the Blues 4-2 in the group stages, were in for a shock as their Championship rivals outplayed them and Morris in goal had only a handful of claims to make. It was a very tight game that Neil could have settled as he raced through on goal in the second half, but after a mix-up with his own team-mate Alex, scuffed a tame shot straight at the goalkeeper. And so, penalties...

1-0: Their taker scores to the 'keeper's bottom left.1-1: Cooper places a firm kick in off the left hand post, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

2-1: Again scored, again to the bottom left in a common trend.2-2: Similarly to his last penalty, Alberts leathers his kick down the centre and its sheer pace takes it

in via the goalkeeper's shin.3-2: Another cool penalty from the Premiership side, this time to Steve's right.

3-2: Needing to score, and with the goalkeeper making all sorts of off-putting movements on his line, Neil strokes his penalty a foot over the bar. It was the fatal blow for CCP to cruelly deny them a place in the SNIFA cup final.

This was a titanic effort to get within spot kicks of a place in the grand final, when you consider we had to bring in two ringers and borrow two more players on the night just to post a team. It was not easy to face three Premiership sides in succession, but we kept two clean sheets in the three games and looked very competent. Special credit to the new players, Alex and Steve who were particularly good after playing twice for Pasties already that evening. Neil, despite not having played much football, offered us determination and a new dimension in attack, and John was composed and solid in defence.

GK: Steve Morris; DF: John ???, Ryan Cooper; MF: Alex ???, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge. Rolling Sub: Neil ???

CCP FC Sixes August 2009- January 2010



5th / 12 22 8 7 7 21 15 6 31 / 66


4th / 6 10 4 2 4 8 7 1 14 / 30

Progress in Cup Competition:SNIFA Cup Round of 16


Ryan COOPER34 appearances,

DF, FW Lee ALBERTS30 appearances,

MF


0 goals,16 clean sheets

19 goals,15 clean sheets

Scott LETHBRIDGE24 appearances,2 goals,10 clean sheets

FW, MF James DOWER24 appearances,1 goal,15 clean sheets

MF, DF

Jonathan LEE17 appearances,0 goals,9 clean sheets

DF, MF Rob PARKER14 appearances,0 goals,6 clean sheets

GK

Scott LAITY12 appearances,1 goal,5 clean sheets

DF John DUNSTAN9 appearances,0 goals4 clean sheets

DF, FW

Ben MINNS7 appearances,0 goals4 clean sheets

GK Arron WALLACE6 appearances,5 goals5 clean sheets

FW

Adrian PALMER4 appearances,0 goals1 clean sheet

DF

Results:

26th August 2009:Game 1- CCP FC (0) 0, Troggies Trojans (0) 1Game 2- CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 14), Cornish Mafia (1) 2Friendly- CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 13), Unknown Premiership team (0) 0

Following the heartbreak of missing out on promotion on goal difference last season, CCP FC look to go one better in the new Championship campaign. But we got off to the worst possible start with two defeats on the opening evening, our first pointless return in all competitions for nearly five months. New team Troggies Trojans, tipped to be a hit in the Championship, showed good movement going forwards and discipline at the back and forced CCP into errors in possession as they harried and hustled all game. Lee Alberts saw a deflected thunderbolt from the left tipped around the post by the goalkeeper before Trojans hit the winner deep in the second half, a three-on-two counter-attack that left the defenders with too much to do.

Against Cornish Mafia, the Blues might have been eyeing all three points against a side who have never beaten them, but ambitions may have been revised when Mafia took the lead within a minute. Alberts found the equaliser in the second half, a shot that skimmed off the goalkeeper's arm and into the net. But CCP were amateurish in allowing Mafia to take the lead immediately after getting back into the contest, again a three-on-two break their undoing. Rob Parker saved CCP with a one-on-one save, then charged out bravely to block the rebound with his torso. Ironically against Premiership opposition in a friendly warm down game, the Blues decided to start playing football and were full value for their 1-0 win, a low Alberts strike in the second half. Tom "Slip" Lyth filled in at the back for James Dower and forged a solid partnership with Ryan Cooper that saw Rob Parker as a spectator.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: John, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

2nd September 2009:Game 3- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 4), Sciatico Muchobadback (0) 1Game 4- CCP FC (0) 0, Golden Retrievers (0) 0

CCP got their first points of the season on the board, but are still yet to taste victory. after four games Against Sciatico Muchobadback, the Blues gained an early initiative when a Ryan Cooper long throw from the left caused confusion in the Sciatico defence. The ball broke for Lee Alberts and a tidy low finish to the

goalkeeper's left from CCP's top scorer. The Blues let Muchobadback back into the game in the second half when a clipped ball over the top stretched defenders Cooper and John. Their forward, at full stretch, got a touch to divert the ball beyond the diving Rob Parker and in off the right hand post.

The second tie of the evening, against Golden Retrievers, was an even tighter affair and offered little to excite the neutral. Alberts in particular was frustrated with the flight of the match ball as he saw his finishing rise above the crossbar throughout the game. CCP should have sewn up the three points when Alberts found Scott Lethbridge with an excellent dinked pass from the left. The ball seemed to hit Lethbridge 's standing foot as he wildly hacked his finish over the bar.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: John, Ryan Cooper, James Dower; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

16th September 2009:Game 5- CCP FC (0) 0, Heron Hackers (0) 0Game 6- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 6), Rehab Madrid (0) 1

The Blues enjoyed most of the few chances in a tight game against a Hackers side who historically have been CCP's match. Ryan Cooper played in Lee Alberts with a cushioned header from the off, but the forward could only drag his left-footed shot wide of goal when in on goal. Scott Lethbridge then could not have asked for a better opportunity to improve his goal average as he scampered through on goal following a haphazard Hackers defensive line. With all the time in the world, the centre forward placed his low finish wide of the right-hand post. As the game went on and CCP looked for the breakthrough, they left potholes at the back that Hackers nearly profited from. Rob Parker produced a fantastic reflex save to his right from a snapshot to save CCP a point.

The second opponents of the evening were a Rehab Madrid side with a clear injection of talent, as they gave CCP a thorough inspection with movement and guile. They wasted a couple of decent chances before the Blues struck in the first half. Alberts span and drilled home a half-volley that flew into the inside of the left-hand post via the goalkeeper's leg. Rehab equalised in controversial circumstances in the second period when their forward looked clearly inside the D as he converted at the back post from a corner kick. The referee was not well positioned to see an infringement through a sea of bodies and play was allowed to continue. Which is why CCP were left fuming when the precise same situation occurred at the other end with only seconds to spare. Alberts buried a shot, but was penalised for touching the ball inside the D. The referee then admitted his vision was impaired, but he did not allow play to continue as he had for Rehab's equaliser, denying CCP two much-needed points.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper, James Dower; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

23rd September 2009:Champions League Group Phase:Game 1- CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 5, 13), Peldrose Pymps (0) 0Game 2- CCP FC (1) 2 (Scott Laity 7, Lee Alberts 12), Pasty Lovers (0) 0

Despite struggling in the Championship, CCP claimed maximum points and kept two clean sheets in an impressive evening that featured a win over 2nd place in the Premiership. Pymps had a new-look side from the one CCP defeated on penalties in the SNIFA cup and struggled to break through a stubborn Blues rearguard. Rob Parker barely had a save to make. CCP scored twice through Lee Alberts, his first in off the post and his second a fierce shot from close range after James Dower did well to dispossess a defender.

Indeed, CCP found it tougher going against our more familiar rivals Pasties, who looked the more likely until Scott Laity scored his first of the season, a right wing low speculator that went through a porous goalkeeper. Pasties missed a one-on-one after Dower miscued a low left wing cross, before Alberts added a second as he out-muscled two defenders to slot in low from the right.


29th September 2009:Game 7- CCP FC (0) 0, Gorilla Unit (2) 3Game 8- CCP FC (2) 3 (Lee Alberts 5, 8, 16), Pasty Lovers (0) 0

Relegated side Gorilla Unit put CCP to the sword on their return from a triumphant Champions League outing. The Blues found themselves behind within 2 minutes when a lofted ball from the young goalkeeper deceived Scott Laity and James Dower. Their centre forward raced clear on Rob Parker's goal and prodded home before Ryan Cooper could get a clear challenge in. The second goal was of high quality has Gorillas played tidy one-touch football that pulled the CCP defence apart before their tall midfielder darted into the space through the centre and slotted past Parker. Alberts saw a shot strike the crossbar and had a couple of decent chances screw wide of the far post before Gorillas added insult to injury with a third. A mix-up between Cooper and Laity saw their tall midfielder race through and score to complete a slightly flattering 3-0 final score.

Looking to immediately bounce back, the Blues faced a Pasties side eager to avenge their defeat in the Champions League, but the tandem of Lee Alberts and Scott Lethbridge proved too hot to handle. Alberts scored his first from a very tight angle, a bobbling finish over the goalkeeper. Lethbridge then flicked a pass onto Alberts and a collector's item, a tidy left footed finish. The third goal in the second half to kill any Pasties fightback, was an excellent goal. Lethbridge chested down a Cooper clearance and telepathically found Alberts marauding through the middle. The bald-headed striker completed his hat trick with a low finish.


7th October 2009:Game 9- CCP FC (0) 1 (Arron Wallace 13), AFC Truro (0) 1Game 10- CCP FC (0) 2 (Arron Wallace 12, 17), Cornish All-stars (0) 0

CCP claimed a hard-earned 4 points in their bid to climb the table after a disappointing start to the Championship campaign. Arron Wallace put the blues ahead in a tough game, only for AFC Truro to nick a deserved equaliser late on. CCP were indebted to their stand-in goalkeeper, who produced a string of fine saves, including a one-on-one. In the second game, the Blues were very resolute against Cornish All-stars and Buffon had little to do. Scott Lethbridge slipped in Wallace down the right channel. One-on-one, the striker showed patience and composure in the finish. He then added a second with conviction from the penalty spot after Lethbridge's shot was handled inside the D.

GK: Buffon; DF: Adrian Palmer, Ryan Cooper, Jonathan Lee; MF: Scott Lethbridge; FW: Arron Wallace.

7th October 2009:Champions League Group Phase:Game 3- CCP FC (0) 0, F.A.G.S. (1) 1Game 4- CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 17), Gorilla Unit (0) 0

Returning to the Champions League group stages, CCP continued their impressive early form with a narrow defeat to 4th-placed Premiership side F.A.G.S. and a 1-0 over a Gorilla Unit side who resoundingly thumped the blues 3-0 in the league. In truth, F.A.G.S. had CCP at arm's length, having taken the lead during the first half and had the Championship outfit opened up in serious search of an equaliser they may have been punished, but Alberts had a chance late in the second half when his volley from outside the D fizzed wide of the right hand post with the goalkeeper rooted.

In the recent meeting in the league between CCP and Gorillas, the latter featured a former Plymouth Argyle trialist who was the heartbeat of their success. Tonight, he was tightly marshalled by a resolute defensive action and Unit consequently floundered in the final third. The winning goal came late in the day when Jonathan Lee produced a strong tackle to win possession. Ryan Cooper then slid in Alberts down the right. The striker, returning from injury, skinned the left back and drilled home a low finish from distance to seal a hard-fought victory.

GK: Marcus ???; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper, Jonathan Lee; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

21st October 2009:Game 11- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 6), Leg Ends (0) 0Game 12- CCP FC (0) 0, Troggies Trojans (1) 1

In the mid-table six-pointer, CCP emerged victorious after a stern test by Leg Ends. The blues took the lead against the run of play when Lee Alberts robbed a dallying defender and smashed home a low shot to the goalkeeper's left. Leg Ends then spent the rest of the game probing CCP's three man defence, but getting little change. Ben Minns in goal had to act to repel only range-finders Alberts could have sewed up the three

points in the second half when he cut inside from the right and with only the goalkeeper to beat, dragged his left foot shot wide of the far post.

League leaders Trojans, a well-drilled and mean unit, kept CCP's attack quiet in the second game and had the lead in the first half following a three-on-three counter attack. CCP had a couple of chances to equalise, a left footed Alberts shot in the first half that went wide and Scott Lethbridge saw his bobbling header clawed out of the goal by a full stretch save from the goalkeeper.

GK: Ben Minns; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper, Jonathan Lee; MF: Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

28th October 2009:Game 13- CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 11), Golden Retrievers (1) 1Game 14- CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish Mafia (1) 2

A disappointing night for CCP's patched up side, who could only take a solitary point from two games against close rivals. They had to start against Golden Retrievers with a man disadvantage as Lee Alberts arrived late, and it showed as the blues were trailing after a direct pass bypassed a sloppy defence and their striker slotted low past the onrushing Carl in goal. Adrian Palmer could have seen the net bulge from a right wing pile-driver that the goalkeeper touched onto the crossbar. Alberts got CCP back on terms just after the half-time break with a scuffed shot into the deck that bounced up and went in via the underside of the bar. CCP were probably the better side overall but nearly gifted Retrievers the win when Ryan Cooper's telegraphed square ball was intercepted by their forward and Carl was forced into a save before Cooper completed the clearance.

GK: Carl; DF: Adrian Palmer, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Lee Alberts; FW: John Dunstan.

Feeling their night might improve against Cornish Mafia, CCP were undone in a physical clash against an ethically dubious Mafia outfit that didn't resemble sides from past encounters. Lee Alberts was kicked and pushed from pillar to post whenever he ran at defenders and there were several shirty moments throughout the match, including Mafia's first goal. Ryan Cooper went to meet a routine through ball with a big boot and had his shirt tugged by a striker, hoisting him off balance. The referee didn't see it and play went on, with the opening goal the inevitable consequence. Ben Minns produced a great save in the second half before fishing the ball out of the net. Their skilful number 8 took on Cooper on his right foot, skinned him and drilled home a left-footed shot that Minns will be disappointed to allow in at the near post.

GK: Ben Minns; DF: Adrian Palmer, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Lee Alberts; FW: John Dunstan.

11th November 2009:Champions League Group Phase:Game 5- CCP FC (0) 0, Wanaka Wanderers (0) 1Game 6- CCP FC (0) 1 (Scott Lethbridge 15), Pasty Lovers (0) 0

CCP were unlucky to lose against group leaders Wanaka Wanderers in a sportingly conducted game. Scott Lethbridge saw his prodded shot pulled out of the top left by the goalie after a lovely touch and turn took the defender out of the frame. Lethbridge then found himself clear on goal and took too many touches, allowing the defender back in to tackle. Lee Alberts also saw a driven low shot saved down to his left by the goalie. Inevitably, Wanderers scored the winner with their only real chance. They took a quick free kick and the CCP defence hadn't time to organise, leaving a swift three-on-two and a tidy finish.

GK: Some kid; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

CCP would fancy a result from Pasties, who have taken only 5 points in the teams' 10 previous meetings in all competitions (to CCP's 23). The Blues started brightly and Cooper nearly had one for the scrap book when his dipping shot from the left had the goalkeeper scrambling to tip the ball wide. Ben Minns had work to do to keep a left wing shot away from goal and parried it smartly. James Dower saw his shot on the turn creep wide of the left hand post with the goalkeeper at full stretch, before Lethbridge broke his duck for the season, and fully merited after a spirited display. He held the ball up down the left of centre, span the defender and tucked the ball home on his left foot. As Pasties pressed for the equaliser, CCP hit them hard on the break as Alberts strode through in acres of space, but could only drill his finish over the bar. The Blues were comfortable however, with Minns easily equal to a couple of tame half-shots.

GK: Ben Minns; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

4th November 2009:Game 15- CCP FC (0) 1 (Scott Lethbridge 15), Rehab Madrid (0) 2Game 16- CCP FC (0) 0, Sciatico Muchobadback (2) 2

GK: Rob Parker; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Chris ???, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

18th November 2009:Game 17- CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 15), Heron Hackers (0) 0Game 18- CCP FC (0) 2 (Lee Alberts), Gorilla Unit (0) 0

CCP were in desperate need to claw back the gap on tonight's opponents, both directly above them in the league, and 6 points was the perfect tonic to the Blues' recent stuttering form. It was the first time CCP had been able to field the established starting VI and it coincided with our first six-point return. Rob Parker returned between the sticks after a month out. In a really tight game against Hackers, Lee Alberts scored the only strike of the game with a right wing shot that beat the goalkeeper at the near post. In the second game against a young, sleight, but aggressive Gorilla Unit side, CCP took the lead from the spot after their defender touched the ball inside the D. Alberts duly smashed home the penalty. Scott Lethbridge should have scored when he scuffed Alberts' clever square ball into the arms of the goalkeeper from close range, and Ryan Cooper saw a left wing pile-driver parried by the 'keeper before Alberts sealed it, a fierce shot that beat the goalkeeper at the near post via the upright. Gorillas were deflated after this and CCP squandered numerous chances to improve their goal difference.


Champions League Group Phase:25th November 2009:Game 7- CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 14), Peldrose Pymps (1) 2GK: Ben Minns; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge. SUB: James Dower.

Game 8- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 6), F.A.G.S. (1) 3GK: Ben Minns; DF: Scott Laity, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

2nd December 2009:Game 19- CCP FC (0) 0, Pasty Lovers (0) 0GK: Some Guy; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Arron Wallace.-Game delayed due to floodlight failure.

Game 20- CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 8 pen, Arron Wallace 15), AFC Truro (0) 0GK: Some Guy; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Arron Wallace.

9th December 2009:Champions League Group Phase:Game 9- CCP FC (0) 0, Gorilla Unit (0) 0

Game 10- CCP FC (0) 0, Wanaka Wanderers (0) 0GK: Ben Minns; DF: Jonathan Lee, John Dunstan; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Ryan Cooper.

16th December 2009:Game 21- CCP FC (3) 3 (Lee Alberts 3, 9, Arron Wallace 6), Leg-Ends (0) 0Game 22- CCP FC (1) 1 (James Dower 5), Cornish All-stars (0) 0

CCP finished the league season strongly, recording two wins and keeping their sixth successive clean sheet in all competitions. 15 points from a potential 18 and no goals conceded in the last 6 league games would not be enough to catapult the blues into a promotion place, but will stand them in good stead for next season. In a fiery encounter, CCP ended Leg-Ends' hopes of a top three finish with a devastating first-half lesson in finishing. Lee Alberts buried a shot for 1-0, played in Arron Wallace for 2-0 after a neat one-two, then killed off Leg-Ends before half time with his second. The promotion hopefuls, pleasing on the eye but with little end product, were visibly frustrated and a couple of tete-a-tetes with our players showed the pressure was getting to them. CCP survived a Leg-Ends fightback in the second half to emerge as 3-0 winners.

James Dower waited until the last league game to record his first goal of the season, a hook shot on the turn that beat the goalkeeper at his near stick. What followed was a classic shut-out against the league's basement side Cornish All-stars, with Ben Minns a spectator for the rest of the game.

GK: Ben Minns; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Arron Wallace.

13th January 2010:SNIFA Cup Round of 16- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 5), Spoons (1) 1(Spoons win 3-2 on penalties)

CCP were eliminated at the first hurdle of the SNIFA cup, but it took a penalty shoot-out for Premiership outfit Spoons to progress after the sides could not be separated after 20 minutes. The Blues fell behind early in the game when Lee Alberts' back-pass was read by the attacker, who pounced and slid home the loose ball low to Rob Parker's left. But Alberts made amends quickly, bursting through a couple of challenges and slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Alberts then had a shot saved and the loose ball came out to Scott Lethbridge on the left, whose first time shot struck both posts and went out. Spoons also hit the crossbar from the left wing. The second half had penalties written all over it and apart from Alberts again striking the post and Parker making a save from a right wing shot, it was quiet.

PENALTY SHOOTOUTRyan Cooper scored Spoons player scoredLee Alberts scored Spoons player scoredScott Lethbridge hit the crossbar Rob Parker saves from Spoons playerJonathan Lee has his penalty saved Spoons player scored


CCP FC Sixes January- May 2010



9th / 12 22 5 7 10 16 22 -6 15 / 66


5th / 6 10 3 3 4 9 11 -2 12pts / 30

Progress in Cup Competition:SNIFA Cup Quarter Finals

Squad List (Sorted by Position, Appearances, Goals, Alphabet):GK DF MF FW

Rob PARKER23 appearances,0 goals,6 clean sheets

Ryan COOPER34 appearances,0 goals,10 clean sheetsEverpresent

James DOWER32 appearances,2 goals,10 clean sheets

Scott LETHBRIDGE34 appearances,1 goal,10 clean sheetsEverpresent

BEEF4 appearances,0 goals

Jonathan LEE32 appearances,0 goals,10 clean sheets

Lee ALBERTS23 appearances,21 goals,6 clean sheets

Daniel JOHNS8 appearances,0 goals,1 clean sheet


2 clean sheets Top Scorer Carl ?3 appearances,0 goals0 clean sheets

Scott LAITY4 appearances,0 goals,2 clean sheets

Tristan LAITY1 appearance,0 goals,0 clean sheets

Arron WALLACE4 appearances,1 goal1 clean sheet

Stephen WILLIAMS1 appearance,0 goals,1 clean sheet

Results:

20th January 2010:Game 1- CCP FC (0) 0, Booner's Boys (1) 2Game 2- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 6), AFC Truro (0) 1

A low-key start to 2010 and a new league season for CCP, only managing 1 point. The returning Booner's Boys, featuring Tristan Laity in a temporary midfield role, put in a controlled performance and in truth, the Blues never looked likely to get a result. Lee Alberts' shot was deflected onto the underside of the bar and down onto the line by both Laity and the hand of the goalkeeper to represent CCP's only noteworthy attempt. This sandwiched a goal in either half for Booner's Boys in a game otherwise lacking clear goal-scoring chances. 0-1 was the first in a series of soft goals conceded over the course of the evening. Their marauding midfielder stole a march on James Dower to meet a clipped ball over and flick a deft finish over the diving Rob Parker. 2-0 was a three-on-two counter-attack Jonathan Lee attacked the man with the ball, who showed pace and persistence to get through on goal. Ryan Cooper slid in on him, drawing a kind ricochet for Ben Minns to slot home from a central position and cake-ice the result for Boys.

Perennial struggles AFC Truro, given an injection of youthful talent, represented CCP's next opponents and it wasn't long before Alberts opened his account for the season, and what a cracker. The bald-headed midfielder embarked upon a crusade from the middle of the pitch, skinning two opponents and rifling home low in off the right hand post, past the despairing dive of the goalkeeper. Scott Lethbridge and Dower had decent chances to stretch the lead but the Blues went in with only a one goal lead at half time. Predictably, AFC Truro equalised with their first opportunity. Their midfielder ran at a retreating defence and neither Lee nor Dower closed him down, presenting enough time for a low finish. A terrible goal to concede for the side who finished last season with the second-best defensive record in the league. And then AFC Truro missed a golden chance to snatch an unlikely win. Their midfielder burst past Dower too easily and Cooper couldn't reach him before he fired in a low shot, forcing Parker into a good save with his feet. Alberts then missed a glorious chance at the death, having skinned a defender, but could only drag his shot wide of the far post when faced with the goalkeeper.


27th January 2010:Game 3- CCP FC (0) 0, Leg-Ends (0) 0Game 4- CCP FC (0) 2 (Lee Alberts 15, James Dower 19), Dyslexia Untied (1) 1

The last these two sides met, CCP crushed Leg-Ends by three goals to nil, ruining the latter's chance of promotion on the final day of last season. That was a tasty encounter and this early season pace-setter was no different. The game was bare in terms of chances, but featured some aggressive and late tackling from Leg-Ends, especially a reckless challenge over the top of the ball on Lee Alberts, which saw the Leg-Ends midfielder blue carded before Albert sought retribution, throwing the ball off his head and also being blue carded and thus sin binned for two minutes.

In the second game, CCP smash-and-grabbed their first win of the season against the unlucky and amusingly-named Dyslexia Untied. Unlike the previous game, the blues' defending was dodgy from the start and we were fortunate to escape when their striker drifted off Ryan Cooper, who was caught ball watching, and Rob Parker bailed him out with the block. More bad defending cost CCP moments later when Jonathan Lee was turned by their striker, who strode

towards goal and rolled the ball into the net at Parker's near post. The blues were shell shocked and looked wobbly right up to half time, with Parker forced into a couple of decent saves. A simple dummy was enough to bisect the entire defence, leaving their man through on goal. Cooper was able to get back and put enough pressure on him to force a snapshot, which Parker saved with his foot. With time ticking away in the second half, CCP got back on equal terms. Alberts was finally able to get into some space for first time all night, having beaten a defender. On his weaker left foot, he scuffed his finish into the ground, the ball bobbling over the goalkeeper and nestling inside the netting at the back post. And CCP really poured salt into the wounds by snatching a late winner, thanks to the persistence of James Dower. Their large defender dawdled on a squared ball from Lethbridge down the right, and Dower charged down an attempted clearance, the ball spinning straight into the net. And a mere matter of seconds after, the full time whistle blew. A fortunate three points for CCP but they all count.


3rd February 2010:Game 5- CCP FC (1) 3 (Lee Alberts 2, 14, 16), Cornish All-stars (0) 0Game 6- CCP FC (0) 2 (Scott Lethbridge 12, Lee Alberts 16), Six of the Best (1) 1

CCP's second game promised to be a cracking local derby, as Six of the Best feature CCP regulars Tristan Laity, Stephen Williams and Daniel Johns, not to mention Daniel Scorer and Jeweller. But we first had the matter of Cornish All-stars And it turned out to be an appetiser to the main course, as the hungry Blues devoured a team that prop up the rest of the league. Scott Laity came in to replace Rob Parker, who is on holiday in Oz, and Ryan Cooper started in goals for the first half. It wasn't exactly plain sailing, despite us taking the lead through an early Lee Alberts strike. The midfielder beat the goalkeeper at the near post with a creeping shot from the right. After a moment of initial confusion as to whether it had gone in legitimately or not, the goal stood. From that point however, All-stars might count themselves unlucky not to have found the equaliser. First, their striker stepped inside Laity from the left and released a fierce low shot that Cooper edged behind for a corner with his left hand. After the break, Cooper was called again into action when a shot took a big deflection off Laity and the goalkeeper readjusted to tip the ball over. And their striker was then able to weave between Laity and Jonathan Lee and get through on goal, but Cooper repelled his low finish with his right foot. Whereas All-stars were unable to take their chances, as is often all that separates lowly sides from promotion-chasing sides, CCP stretched the lead through Alberts. Great tackling and distribution down the right from James Dower, who was excellent throughout, saw the ball land at the feet of Alberts, and he didn't hesitate with a first-time low finish that seemed to curl away from the goalkeeper's right hand en route to the bottom right hand corner. And against a now ragged All-stars side with the confidence drained from them, CCP finished the job with a third, Alberts' third and his second left-footed finish in successive weeks. Having strode into space to meet a through ball, he slotted home an unerring finish past the goalkeeper.

GK: Ryan Cooper; DF: Jonathan Lee, Scott Laity; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

Besides being a potential six-pointer in the quest for promotion, pride was at stake in the night's second game, the first time CCP players had ever faced off in a competitive setting. Six of the Best set out their stall early to attack and probed the Blues' defence through the attacking trio of Williams, Andy Ireland and Jeweller. But amongst their pool of talent, it was Daniel Scorer who opened the scoring as he strode through a static CCP defensive line to meet an Ireland through pass and roll a low shot into the goal underneath Scott Laity's leg. It was just about the only defensive lapse CCP suffered in the entire evening and it cost them. They started the second half trailing, but not for long. Having burst past Johns, Alberts' right wing shot was parried across the face of goal by Tristan laity, and there to pick up the pieces at the back post was Scott Lethbridge with a tidy finish first time into the net beyond the desperate dive of Laity Jr. SOTB continued to apply pressure on the CCP defence, with dangerous overlapping runs from Scorer and Jeweller. But while they peppered the goal, Scott Laity was largely untested, unlike his younger sibling, who denied Alberts on a couple of occasions Jeweller missed an outstanding chance at the back post in a four on three counter-attack Williams spotted him with a clipped ball over the top of the defence and the overlapping defender blazed over the bar first time unmarked. Finally, CCP turned the game on its head when Alberts' leathered home his fourth of the evening from the right, having been repaid by Lethbridge. And all stemming from the quick overhand thrown from Laity that caught the SOTB defence cold.

Six of the Best were desperate to get back on level terms and threw everything at CCP. Williams and Ireland tussled with Dower and Jonathan Lee and the loose ball emerged to Johns. He pulled the trigger first time but Cooper got across to block the shot with his considerable backside. Scott Laity was then forced into his only save of the game when Scorer's shot deflected off Cooper and looked to be bobbling in at the left hand post until Laity managed to pat the ball down onto the line and hold it. Tristan then produced the save of the evening to keep his leaking side in the game when Alberts' hit a fierce right wing shot at him and he put it around the post with his torso. 2-1 then to the mighty Blues, whose players all could be proud with their performances. Bragging rights secured, until the next these two meet at least.

GK: Scott Laity; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

10th February 2010:Champions League Group -Game 1- CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 19), Cornish All-stars (0) 0Game 2- CCP FC (2) 2 (Lee Alberts 1, 8), Troggies Trojans (1) 2

CCP earned a very welcome 4 points on their opening Champions League evening, but they struggled to break down a Cornish All-stars side they had comprehensively beaten the previous week. Lee Alberts was able to skip inside the All-stars defenders from the left at will and get into good striking positions, but was thwarted by the goalkeeper on several occasions When he struck the outside of the post in the second half, it seemed like the blues were going to drop two points. But with less than ten seconds remaining, goalkeeper Ryan Cooper unloaded a long overarm throw. Scott Lethbridge flicked the ball first time into the path of Alberts and this time he found the net, via the trailing leg of the goalkeeper.

The second opponents were Troggies Trojans in what seems to be the toughest group game on paper. Trojans won the league at a canter last season and are holding their own in a mid table Premiership position. So when CCP scored with twenty seconds on the clock, the Championship hopefuls were dreaming of winning the group. Lethbridge again slipped in Alberts, down the left this time, and another tidy left footed finish that slid inside the far post. Trojans got back on terms before half time following a quick break. Their midfielder ran at the CCP defence and struck a bobbling shot that deceived Scott Laity in goal and hit the back of the net under the his foot. The Blues were determined to lead before the break and James Dower played a neat one-two with Alberts. Played into space down the right wing, Dower fizzed in a near post cross that Alberts only had to poke out a foot at to divert it into the near post via the goalkeeper's left glove. Trojans hit CCP with everything they had and began to take advantage of an increasingly stretched back line after the break. They equalised again with another tame low finish that seemed to slip under the body of an unsighted Laity, after a Jonathan Lee long pass was intercepted. At this point, the Blues were being bombarded by Trojan attacks. Lee made a great saving block down the left hand side as did Cooper to deny a Trojans striker from close range. Laity then pushed a range finder out at his right for a throw in, before producing a fantastic double save with assistance from Lee. The Blues managed to hold on for a point that offered great encouragement and frustration at the same time.

GK: Scott Laity; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

17th February 2010:Game 7- CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts pen 5, 14), Obiwan Kenobi Nil (1) 3Game 8- CCP FC (0) 0, Heron Hackers (0) 0

CCP suffered a slip-up in their bid for promotion, claiming only one point on this evening of Championship action. Obiwan Kenobi Nil (nee Gorilla Unit), took advantage of an unsure defensive unit to claim a breathless 3-2 win in the first game. The blues started positively and could have scored after a great flowing move down the right including Jim Dower and Lee Alberts, Alberts' shot brilliantly parried across goal by their acrobatic young goalkeeper. CCP then had a chance from the penalty spot when their defender inexplicably headed away a harmless ball a yard inside the box. Alberts was too keen to take the kick and despite scoring via the post, had to retake. A cool side foot to the goalkeeper's left, sending him the wrong way, was the end result. Their tall ginger midfielder is one of the better players in the league if left unchecked, and that is what CCP did all game to their cost. He went on a foray down the left wing, shrugging Jonathan Lee off the ball and cutting in before curling a low shot into the net past CCP's stand in goalkeeper. A hint of a foul on Lee, but the referee was not interested. CCP's misery continued in the second half with a goal really of their own making. Lee received a short goal

kick and with not a single player within fifteen yards of him, had to hit a long pass that was intercepted. CCP were hit with a three-on-two attack. OWKN disappointingly were still afforded the man advantage right up to the finish, despite taking a relatively indirect route to goal. CCP soon got back on terms through Alberts' second, but yet another soft goal against turned out to be the decider. Lee faced their ginger lad and another striker and a bad call from Ryan Cooper meant their ginger lad was able to burst past a wrong-footed Lee, before he strode through and side footed into the goal despite pressure from Cooper.

In a mercifully tighter second game, CCP anticipated a tough physical contest from familiar opposition. Hackers' top three position, like CCP's, is arguably misleading. Hackers are well-organised, but appear to lack a finishing touch, judging by the chances they spurned in the second half. Like last season, CCP lack consistency and drop too many points against teams below them in the league. It was no real surprise then that the two cancelled each other out. Following some sloppy Hackers marking off of a right wing throw-in, Dower found space down the left and belted a shot off the underside of the crossbar. Hackers retaliated by producing a good save from CCP's stand-in goalie following a quick corner that caught Cooper unaware. The game opened up dramatically in the second half, and not in a good way for CCP, as Hackers laid siege to the blues' goal. First their midfielder let fly with a shot that struck the right hand angle of post and their striker scuffed his shot wide on the rebound after statuesque defending. Then following yet another three-on-two counter-attack, their centre forward touched the ball down on the right in space. Cooper closed down, but he stepped inside deftly and contrived to slip his finish wide of the near post when brilliantly placed. CCP struggled to make chances but Alberts had a shot from the right well saved by the goalkeeper, who smothered the ball on the follow-up.

GK: Some guys; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

24th February 2010:Game 9- CCP FC (0) 0, Dad's Army (0) 1Game 10- CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish Wonderers (0) 0

CCP suffered another frustrating evening, failing to score for the first since early December, and losing their attacking talisman Lee Alberts to a suspected sprained ankle. On paper, CCP would have been looking to take maximum points against two league strugglers, Army and Wonderers. However, they struggled to create noteworthy chances against a defence penetrated twice a game on average this season. Immediately following half time, Army took the lead against the run of play after a moment from Alberts he'll want to forget. As the last man, with Ryan Cooper and Jonathan Lee either side of him, the striker elected to skin his counterpart and was duly tackled. Their forward leisurely strode in on goal and finished comfortably into the bottom left hand corner past Beef, CCP's latest goalkeeper recruit. Lethbridge missed a good chance to equalise when Alberts slipped a square ball to feet. Lethbridge then cut inside the defender from the left and ballooned his side footed finish over from close range. Army threatened again by striking the left hand post following an angled shot from the left. Alberts' difficult night was brought to a premature end minutes later when he went in on goal down the right and was pincered in the challenge by goalkeeper and defender, going over on his ankle. Some guy on the sidelines replaced him. CCP continued to struggle to find the equaliser, but Lee might have snatched a point for CCP after a rare forage forwards. His low shot from the right was creeping into the bottom right until the goalkeeper intervened, edging it out of play.

Without a recognised goal scorer, CCP turned to Stephen Williams to fill the gap left by Alberts' injury. Wonderers, a bit of an unknown quantity, were an even match in a contest high on endeavour and tough tackling but low on creativity and chances. Williams played a quick one-two with Lethbridge, a delightful flick over the defender from the latter, before the diminutive striker planted his shot over. Beef at the other end showed his worth by not only saving but holding onto some curling shots from distance, but was not required to face any obvious goalscoring chances. CCP did nearly get caught out in a quick counter-attack down the right, but Williams' terrificly tracked back to make a sliding challenge and force their striker into an early shot that flashed wide of the far post

GK: "Beef"; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts (Stephen Williams); FW: Scott Lethbridge.

3rd March 2010:Champions League Group-Game 3- CCP FC (0) 0, Dad's Army (0) 0

Game 4- CCP FC 3, Dodgers 0-Result awarded to CCP after Dodgers failed to attend.

Friendly- CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish All-stars (0) 1

GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, "Beef"; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

10th March 2010:Game 11- CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish All-stars (1) 1Game 12- CCP FC (0) 0, Pasty Lovers (0) 1

CCP's woes continued as they suffered a pointless return for the first time since November and they have now not found the net in five games. What was a promising start to the season has dissolved in recent weeks without an obvious goalscoring threat, and losing to two struggling sides will do little for confidence. All-stars, who deposed the Blues by 1-0 in a friendly last week, drew first blood after only a couple of minutes. Jonathan Lee let his man dart off him through the penalty zone to meet a driven low corner and convert past Rob Parker. There was more than a hint of the striker touching the ball inside when initially controlling the ball, but the referee was not well-placed to see it. Sadly, it proved to be decisive, as the Blues made no further defensive mistakes but looked unlikely to find an equaliser. In the second half, Ryan Cooper joined an attack, brought a Scott Lethbridge ball under control and lashed a daisy-cutter into the bottom right hand corner, but the goalkeeper dived to make a solid catch.

The second game, against the omnipresent and gregarious Pasty Lovers, was also settled by one goal and it was genuinely unlucky from the Blues' perspective. Cooper challenged their midfielder down the left wing, who back-heeled the ball through his legs, taking a massive deflection that set off their marauding striker down the right for an instant three-on-two scenario, which culminated in a goal at the back post. Arron Wallace stung the hands of the goalkeeper with a spin and left footed shot that the custodian kept out of the bottom right corner.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Scott Lethbridge; FW: Arron Wallace.

17th March 2010:Game 13- CCP FC (0) 0, Dyslexia Untied (1) 1Game 14- CCP FC (0) 1 (Arron Wallace 12), Leg-Ends (1) 1

A fantastic point after a battling display against unbeaten Leg-Ends overshadowed another underwhelming evening for CCP in terms of points return. CCP saw another side below them in the league leapfrog them after a 0-1 reverse to Dyslexia Untied. Ryan Cooper was harshly penalised for knocking over an opponent following a shoulder-to-shoulder clash. Understandable if the incident had occurred in the middle of the pitch, but six yards outside the D, the dead ball represented a great chance for Untied. They took the chance, when their striker spotted some space at the near post to bypass the wall and slot into Rob Parker's bottom right hand corner. CCP had Parker to thank with two or three decent saves throughout the game, while again the Blues toiled but looked unlikely to score. Jonathan Lee saw a left footed shot comfortably turned away from goal by the goalkeeper, but chances were few and far between.

Leg-Ends stunned CCP with their short, sharp movement from the off and forced the blues deep to fend off the pressure. Leg-Ends took the lead when a perfectly weighted through ball form the midfield was just too much for the stretching interception of Dower, who could only touch it on for their striker to dink the shot inside the far post. It didn't look good for CCP against a side clearly a station above this division in everything except finishing, as they posed no real further threat to a defence that shored up admirably until half time. And the unexpected happened two minutes into the second half: CCP scored their first goal in seven games and so simple. Ryan Cooper received a bowl out from Parker, took a touch and clipped a delightful ball the length of the field, beating the leap of the defender to find Arron Wallace. The striker took a great first touch and finished well with his second. Leg-Ends appealed for an infringement, but the referee, possibly still affected by the big decision he gave against CCP earlier, wasn't interested. What followed was a brilliant rearguard action from the blues, who were desperate to hold onto at least a point. Leg-Ends became increasingly frustrated, peppering the goal with shots but not testing Parker, who did well to flick a long-range shot over late in the game. The inevitable tussle occurred at the death when Dower ran their midfielder down the line, who had a handful of his shirt then felt it appropriate to smash the CCP man in the jaw with a forearm. The referee intervened but, as is a major criticism of Soccernights, didn't stamp his authority on the situation well enough.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Jonathan Lee, Scott Lethbridge; FW: Arron Wallace.

17th March 2010:Champions League Group-Game 5- CCP FC (0) 0, Cornish Mafia (0) 1Game 6- CCP FC (0) 0, Dad's Army (1) 3

CCP were pissed on- literally and figuratively, on a sodden, miserable Champions League night in which they were left without a point or a goal to console themselves. Against Premiership ship Cornish Mafia, the blues battled and toiled during a goalless first half, but fell behind following a lapse in defence after the break. James Dower played an under-hit back pass to Jonathan Lee. Their alert striker nipped in to steal the loose ball, take a touch and slot an angled left foot finish past Carl in goal inside the back post. Daniel Johns saw a long range shot strike the face of the goalkeeper's near post from the right, before Mafia struck the post themselves. Despite the ball flying straight out of play without an obvious deflection, the referee bizarrely awarded Mafia the throw-in. With CCP unprepared, Mafia ultimately hit the same post again before Ryan Cooper cleared the ball. Johns had a great chance to equalise when Scott Lethbridge played him through on goal down the left, but he side footed his finish straight out the goalkeeper.

The second encounter, against second-bottom Championship strugglers Army, was a truly woeful game for the blues to endure, displaying an alarming lack of defensive solidity and no imagination going forwards. Army took the lead before half time following a three-on-two break that saw a neat one-two bisect Dower and Cooper before their striker produced a composed low finish. It could have been two when Lethbridge and Cooper got into a mix up over a loose ball, with their striker going through on goal. Winding up the shot, the striker saw the ball nicked away from him by Cooper's last ditch sliding challenge. One-nil became two-nil soon after the break when their midfielder went on a mazy run, beating Johns, Lee and Dower, before hitting a dipping shot that beat Carl into the top right hand corner. CCP's misery was compounded when Army managed to engineer a two-on-one counter attack against Cooper as the blues looked to find a way back into the game. Cooper's challenge on their marauding striker could only deflect the ball kindly into the path of the unmarked other forward to slide home. The blues offered little of note going forwards, with Johns earning some space down the right to hit his shot across goal and just wide of the far post.

GK: Carl; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Scott Lethbridge; FW: Daniel Johns.

31st March 2010:Game 15- CCP FC (0) 0, AFC Truro (0) 0Game 16- CCP FC (0) 0, Booner's Boys (1) 2

CCP continue their barren scoreless period, which now reads only 1 goal in the last 13 games, but they did eke out a point in their first match against basement side AFC Truro. It was a game bereft of chances from two sides low on confidence, but CCP did create more. Ryan Cooper linked up with Scott Lethbridge early in the second half, striding onto a one-two down the left and striking a low shot across goal that the goalkeeper fielded down to his left. Their big striker missed a good chance when AFC Truro played their way through the CCP defence. Following a square ball from the left wing, the striker could only clip his shot over the bar from ten yards out. James Dower then galloped through on goal to meet a Lethbridge through ball, but a little nick off of the recovering defender played it through too heavy for Dower and his stretching first touch knocked the ball out of play.

A tough prospect against league leaders Booners Boys, a team CCP have only beaten twice in their ten previous meetings, ended in a somewhat predictable 2-0 win, though the Blues competed and maybe deserved better. Boys played with a simple yet effective attacking trio of a target man in Martin Keane and two wing forwards that switched constantly, pulling CCP's defence around. Boys took the lead when their skilful right winger beat Jonathan Lee down the flank and lashed in a shot to the near post that may or may not have gone in through the side netting. Regardless, the goal stood. Boys then forced a save out of Parker in a bizarre moment in which the ball hit the post twice, first via Parker's glove, then from his head on the rebound before the goalkeeper smothered it. In the second half, Daniel Johns did well to weave in between two defenders before forcing a save out of Ben Minns from distance. The striker also saw a goal disallowed for converting inside the D before Boys made it safe. James Dower was dispossessed in midfield and their winger who scored the first goal drilled in

a shot that was blocked by Lee. The loose ball broke kindly for the striker however, who showed composure to slot home the rebound from an acute angle. Boys could have cake-iced a flattering scoreline if the wing forward hadn't pulled his left-foot daisy-cutter wide of the far post after turning Lee and shooting in one fluid movement.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Scott Lethbridge; FW: Daniel Johns.

7th April 2010:Champions League Group Phase:Game 7- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 7), Cornish All-stars (0) 1Game 8- CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 3, James Dower 12), Troggies Trojans (1) 1

Lee Alberts, on his return from a six-week lay-off, marked his comeback with a goal in this Champions League clash with Cornish All-stars, meeting Scott Lethbridge's square ball to convert left footed from a tight angle. All-stars managed to forge an opening down their right wing and under pressure from Ryan Cooper, their striker poked a low shot into the near side netting with Rob Parker down. All-stars then did snatch the equaliser in the second half. James Dower was dazzled by the sun and missed the flight of a clipped ball from the back. Their tall striker flicked the ball over him deftly, went through and finished to earn All-stars a share of the spoils in a tight game that neither side deserved to lose.

CCP looked a side transformed from recent weeks against Premiership side Trojans, of whom they have now relieved 4 welcome points in this group phase. Alberts pounced again, powerfully darting between two, skipping down the right flank and hammering a low shot across the goalkeeper and inside the far post. It was like he was never gone! His replacement in recent weeks Daniel Johns then curled a Lethbridge square ball onto the right hand post that then hit the goalkeeper and luckily for Trojans went just wide. Trojans hit a warning shot across CCP's bow before the half time whistle. With Cooper marking tight, their centre forward expertly chested a long cross ball and span the defender in one moment, then thumped a volley against the base of the post before Cooper got to the rebound. CCP added daylight with a marvellous team goal in the second half, a goal you will do well to better all evening. Parker bowled out short to Cooper, who found Lethbridge. Lethbridge, who was having a fine game, sold a couple of step-overs before squaring out wide right to Johns. Johns knocked it back into the centre for Alberts, who waited patiently to slip in James Dower down the left. Dower took a steadying touch and flicked a cute finish over the diving goalkeeper and into the net. It invoked nostalgic shades of Carlos Alberto, vintage 1970. But the Trojans capitalised on dozy CCP marking from a corner to pull themselves back into the contest. A low left wing corner fizzed onto the penalty spot, and between Dower and Johns was their unmarked striker, who side footed home. CCP were then indebted to Parker with a fine save after Trojans lofted one over Dower for their striker to race onto and thump in a shot that Parker diverted away with his legs to his right.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: James Dower, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, Lee Alberts; FW: Daniel Johns.14th April 2010:Game 17- CCP FC (2) 2 (Lee Alberts 4, 8), Cornish Wonderers (0) 0Game 18- CCP FC (0) 0, Pasty Lovers (0) 1 CCP conquered an impressive Cornish Wonderers side after a classic counter-attacking first half followed by a defensively solid second half. Lee Alberts scored twice before the break with two low shots across the goalkeeper that nestled inside the far post in similar fashion. Wonderers, full of vim and verve, threw everything at the Blues defence in the second half but were frustrated in their attempts to prize open a stubborn CCP defence. Rob Parker produced one fine save after their centre forward was played in on goal after a lofted ball from midfield. Wonderers applied plenty of pressure but the Blues were resolute.

CCP next faced a Pasties side with new life in this season as they cast an eye towards the third promotion spot. Ryan Cooper was wasteful as he ran forwards with the ball and screwed his shot wide of the post with two unmarked team-mates to his right. Parker produced a save with his legs in a drab first half, and was called again into action brilliantly midway through the second half. Their small, skilful striker controlled an angled ball down the left flank, drove with the ball across Jonathan Lee and drilled in a shot that Parker spectacularly turned wide with his left hand. A tiring CCP did finally yield in cruel circumstances. The small striker ran at Cooper down the left flank and drilled in a low centre that the recovering Scott Lethbridge inadvertently prodded past his goalkeeper.

GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, Lee Alberts; FW: James Dower.

21st April 2010:Game 19- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 9), Dad's Army (0) 0Game 20- CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 13), Obiwan Kenobi Nil (0) 1

CCP were able to depose basement side Dad's Army by one first-half goal in an otherwise chanceless encounter. James Dower's throw-in from the left had their defender tangling himself in knots. Lee Alberts pounced, turning the defender and finishing.

A cruel last minute equaliser for Obiwan Kenobi Nil snatched two points from CCP after a battling performance. The Blues were made to pay for spurning two presentable chances to enhance their 1-0 lead, when their young striker weaved past Dower and Jonathan Lee before slipping in their talismanic ginger midfielder down the right, and he smashed home the equaliser beyond the lunging challenge of Ryan Cooper. CCP were bright from the offset and should have been 2-0 up before the break. Scott Lethbridge found himself in space at the back stick and placed his shot wide. Alberts then drifted inside his left back and suddenly in a great position, dragged a bobbler wide of the post on his left foot. CCP finally took a deserved lead when Dower latched onto a Scott Lethbridge pass and slipped a lovely square ball to Alberts, who drilled it first time characteristically beyond the goalkeeper. Lethbridge then was through on goal down the left after Alberts lured two defenders and slipped his strike partner through. But Lethbridge needed too many touches, turning inside the defender and seeing his shot blocked by converging defenders. Lee then lost the path of a clipped ball in the floodlights and their blond striker surged past him clear on goal only to place his shot wide of Parker's far post. CCP then really should have added the killer second late on when Alberts broke the OWKN high line with a through ball that found Dower in oceans of space. But down the left wing, Dower had to poke the ball with the outside if his right boot and the goalkeeper parried. OWKN had plenty of shots but a canny CCP defence were able to restrict them to left footed shots or shots from range, until the decisive last act of an absorbing contest.


28th April 2010:Champions League Group Phase:Game 9- CCP FC (0) 0, Rehab Madrid (0) 1Game 10- CCP FC (0) 0, KFC (1) 2


5th May 2010:Game 21- CCP FC (0) 0, Boca Seniors (0) 2GK: Carl; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, Lee Alberts; FW: James Dower.

Game 22- CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 4), Heron Hackers (0) 2GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, Lee Alberts; FW: James Dower.

12th May 2010:SNIFA Cup finals:Round of 16- CCP FC (1) 3 (Lee Alberts 4, 17, 20), Celtic Devils (0) 3GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Scott Lethbridge, Lee Alberts; FW: Daniel Johns.

Quarter Finals- CCP FC (0) 0, Peldrose Pymps (1) 3GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper (Tristan Laity 7); MF: Scott Lethbridge, Lee Alberts; FW: Daniel Johns.

CCP progressed to the last eight of the SNIFA Cup following a tremendous comeback against Premiership standard Celtic Devils. The latter had led 3-1 going into the final straight of the match, but two late goals from Lee Alberts, the last the last kick of the game, ensured a penalty shoot-out The blues prevailed with successful spot kicks from Ryan Cooper, Daniel Johns and Alberts, and a crucial save from Rob Parker to seal a quarter final spot.

It seemed a shame then that the Blues didn't compete nearly as well against relegated Premiership side Peldrose Pymps, suffering a heavy 3-0 loss to end a disappointing season in apt fashion. There is no doubt the Blues' creative frailties were exposed in the absence of Lee Alberts for a large chunk of the season. A promising beginning evaporated in a season all too reminiscent of the second season at Soccernights, in which we competed well enough but couldn't score and often lost 1-0. A fourth bottom finish isn't good enough for a group of players who should be an outside bet for promotion.

May-September 2010 SeasonChampionship League Table :


22 9 9 4 29 19 10 36


10 5 3 2 14 14 0 18

Progress in Cup Competition:SNIFA Cup Quarter Finals


Scott LETHBRIDGE34 appearances,6 goals (18%),12 clean sheets (35%)Everpresent

FW Ryan COOPER32 appearances,0 goals,13 clean sheets (41%)Most Clean Sheets

DF

Lee ALBERTS28 appearances,31 goals (111%),12 clean sheets (43%)Top Scorer

MF Jonathan LEE28 appearances,0 goals,11 clean sheets (39%)

DF

James DOWER24 appearances,1 goal (4%),10 clean sheets (42%)

GK Rob PARKER23 appearances,0 goals,11 clean sheets (48%)

GK

Tristan LAITY18 appearances,1 goal (6%),8 clean sheets (44%)

MF Daniel JOHNS6 appearances,1 goal (17%),2 clean sheets (33%)

FW

Ben MINNS2 appearances,0 goals,1 clean sheet (50%)

GK "BEEF"2 appearances,0 goals,1 clean sheet (50%)

GK

"RUSTY"2 appearances,0 goals,1 clean sheet (50%)

MF Arron2 appearances,0 goals,0 clean sheets

FW

RESULTS-

19th May 2010:Game 1- CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 7, Scott Lethbridge 12), Heron Hackers (1) 2GK: Rob Parker; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Tristan Laity, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.



Game 2- CCP FC (1) 3 (Lee Alberts 5, 13, 18), Boca Seniors (1) 1GK: Buffon; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: Tristan Laity, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

CCP started the new season with a 2-2 draw by way of a last-gap Hackers equaliser. CCP had come from 1-0 to command a lead until literally the final moment of the game when naivety cost them two points. Instead of committing men back to defend what they had after an unconvincing display, they looked for the killer third. Rob Parker made a couple of decent saves in the first half, one unorthodox with his knee after their forward weaved through a couple of challenges and fired in a shot. Hackers then took a fortuitous lead from a corner. Their striker and Ryan Cooper tussled for position as a chest high corner ball was fizzed in hard. It struck Cooper's gut as he twisted and fell kindly for the striker to fend off the recovering defender and lash in a low finish from close range. Lee Alberts got his season off in typical style with a goal before setting up Scott Lethbridge beautifully to give the blues a lead after half time. The cropped haired midfielder marauded down the left, drawing two defenders. He clipped the ball over left-footed to the back post and Lethbridge waited patiently to cushion a looping volley into the net. One game in, and Lethbridge has already matched his goalscoring tally from last season! CCP were then forced to weather a Hackers storm, and looked less than convincing. They were able to hold out until the death when Alberts took on two players and got crowded out. Their striker hit a shot saved by Parker and in a roundabout way, their short ginger midfielder tucked in a lovely low finish to Parker's right corner.

CCP were then bemused to be facing Boca Seniors in the second game and thus lose Parker and Tristan Laity to their opponents. Seniors finished second last season and by rights should be a Premiership side, but for reasons unclear, they and Booners Boys (who claimed the third promotion berth) will play Championship football this season. The revelation was a hammer blow to any chance CCP had of realistically being promoted any time soon (if indeed only the Champions go up). The blues were lent Carl and Buffon, in midfield and goal respectively. CCP started brightly and forced the turncoat goalkeeper who shall not be named into several decent saves before breaking the deadlock midway through the first half. Karl drove with the ball down the right and slotted a square ball into Alberts' feet. Alberts danced wide of Jim Molyneaux and buried a low shot across goal into the bottom right corner. Seniors equalised against the run of play when their bearded striker darted at the back-peddling Karl, cut inside onto his right and tucked a low shot beyond the lunge of Ryan Cooper and the dive of Buffon in goal. CCP then could have fallen behind in the second half when Buffon brilliantly touched a shot onto the left hand post from a snapshot. A controversial moment at the other end as Molyneaux challenged Karl in front of goal and appeared to touch the ball inside the D, but only a corner was given. Karl and Alberts between them capitalised on sloppy Seniors marking when the striker buried his header totally unmarked from Karl's centre ball. The blues' hopes of holding onto 3 points were dealt a hammer blow when Buffon had to go home early for his tea, so in stepped Karl between the sticks, reducing CCP to five men with five minutes left. Seniors predictably threw the kitchen sink and associated plumbing at the blues in search of an equaliser. Incredibly, CCP smashed them on the break to seal it when Alberts ran at the deserted Molyneaux, skinned him down the left and flicked home a left footed shot that Parker could only touch into the net. Right foot, left foot, head: the perfect hat-trick to depose a side who you would fancy will be right up there again this season.

26th May 2010:Game 3- CCP FC (0) 3 (Scott Lethbridge 13, 16, James Dower 19), Booners Boys (0) 1Game 4- CCP FC (0) 2 (Lee Alberts 14, 17), Rapid Viagra (0) 0GK: Beef; DF: Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; MF: James Dower, Lee Alberts; FW: Scott Lethbridge.

CCP roared to the Championship summit after commitment, endeavour, defensive strength and lethal finishing earned 6 deserved points against tough opposition. Having defeated Championship runners-up Boca Seniors 3-1 last week, the blues repeated the feat against Booner's Boys, third placed from last season, and a side CCP have only beaten once competitively, way back in September 2008. In a quiet first half, Booner's controversially fashioned the only noteworthy chance. Ryan Cooper and their skilful player Arron contested a 50-50 in which the latter went over the top of the ball, catching Cooper below the knee and striking him in the solar plexus with an elbow simultaneously, enough to topple the big defender. The referee played on and Beef in goal blocked Martin Keane's shot. Jonathan Lee then blocked the follow up to concede a corner. In the second half, CCP broke the deadlock when Cooper intercepted a through ball and played in Lee Alberts. The in-form midfielder drove a low shot across goal that Ben Minns parried. There in the right place at the right time was Scott Lethbridge to convert at the back stick from a narrowing angle.

Lethbridge then doubled his tally, receiving a dinked ball from Alberts over the top a static Booner's defence to draw out Minns and delicately flick the ball over him and into the net. Lethbridge is looking a man transformed with three strikes in his first four games of the season. He then could have sewn up a hat trick as he met another through pass, dummied Minns with a fake shot, then chipped him, but the grounded goalie had the wherewithal to pluck the ball from the air. CCP suffered a lapse defensively when Arron weaved through Lee and James Dower, rounded Beef down the left and slotted home left footed. It turned a comfortable scoreline into a nervy finale. Booner's then increased the tempo of the game, leaving gaps at the back which duly the blues exploited to cement victory. Dower completed a routine clearance from thirty yards out that caught the advanced Minns out, sailing over his head and straight into the goal! A stroke of fortune that CCP and Dower deserved after a gutsy display.

Rapid Viagra (nee Obiwan Kenobi Nil, nee Gorilla Unit) topped the table with two wins and a 7-0 goal difference. They would surely provide a stiff test and CCP would certainly have to get themselves up for the second game of the night. In a cagey game reminiscent of the Booner's game, Rapid produced the only scare of the half, their talismanic ginger midfielder spanking a dipping shot onto the crossbar from the left. Beef produced a brave block in the second half as their striker strode in on goal down the left. CCP worked an opening on the break with a flowing passing move that resulted in Alberts cutting a shot inches wide of the left hand post. The blues then did score, a goal demonstrative of their desire to win the ball back. Alberts charged down the goalkeeper's attempted clearance and smashed home his finish from close range. Lethbridge, who had an excellent game, then watched a deflected ball out of play down the right and released a quick throw-in, totally bypassing the defence. Alberts took a steadying touch and cracked a dipping shot past the closing goalkeeper's left to surely seal it. Viagra did produce the last chance when their ginger lad ran at Cooper and cut a low cross ball through his legs to the back post. Their striker, not expecting it, fluffed his lines and CCP nailed their first clean sheet of the season.

2nd June 2010:Game 5-CCP FC (0) 2 (Lee Alberts 14, 18)Dad's Army (0) 0

CCP went clear at the top of the Championship with two professional 2-0 victories. Whereas last week's 6 points were attributable to hard work and balls-to-the-wall, the blues were more intelligent and controlled in the way they counter-attacked two capable opponents. Dad's Army, currently fourth, contributed to a very tight first half. Tristan Laity saw his initial shot blocked by a defender and the rebound fell kindly for him to smash the ball hard towards goal. The 'keeper got two strong hands behind it to turn it over the crossbar. In the second half, their striker met a low threaded centre from the left, span Ryan Cooper in one motion and placed a shot that Parker got down low to repel. Their wing player soon after cut in from the left with the ball and pulled the trigger when Cooper produced a full-stretch tackle to block the goal bound shot. CCP then made the most of their first real opportunity to take the lead after the break, Laity linking up well with Alberts for the goal-hungry midfielder to score. Dad's Army had to attack a reserved, patient CCP defence and the blues put the result beyond doubt when Alberts cleverly found Scott Lethbridge through down the right. Lethbridge got there before the goalkeeper to flick the ball home.

Game 6-CCP FC (0) 2 (Lee Alberts 13, 16)Clearflow FC (0) 0

Against Clearflow, a competitive team that possibly lacks a spark in attack, CCP won by two and it could have been more if not for the goalkeeper. Laity toe-poked a fierce shot that arrowed into the top left corner, but the goalkeeper reacted to produce a superb fingertip save. In a carbon copy of the previous game, CCP opened the scoring with their first chance of the second half. Cooper intercepted a loose through ball and found Alberts down the left. Despite the robust attention of a defender, Alberts did well to keep the ball at his feet, shuffle wide of another opponent and steer his side footed finish across goal into the net. Alberts was then frustrated by the goalkeeper as a firm right wing shot was felt around the near post. Laity replicated the position minutes later, but dragged his shot wide of the goal when well-placed. CCP finally put the encounter to bed, following good link-up play again between Laity and Alberts once more. Alberts reversed a pass and Laity flicked it into the centre, allowing Alberts to skip away from his marker and side foot home to the goalkeeper's near post. Alberts even had the luxury of spurning a hat trick chance when he produced a fresh air shot on his left foot from close range after Cooper had found him with a defence-splitting lobbed pass in the dying moments.

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; James Dower, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge.

10th June 2010:Champions League Group PhaseGame 1-CCP FC (1) 3 (Lee Alberts 3, 17, Scott Lethbridge 14)The Saints (1) 3

CCP gained just about the jammiest point in the history of football and were indebted to key figures at either end of the field: Lee Alberts, who scored a stunning brace and Rob Parker, who produced a string of vital saves. Saints are fourth-bottom of the Premiership and it is probably due to the leakiness of their defence. Despite having 75% of possession and a lot of talented attacking options, the Saints left huge gaps at the back that Alberts and Scott Lethbridge duly exploited. Alberts gave CCP an early lead with a right wing finish before Saints equalised when Parker saved an initial shot but couldn't stop the follow up from an unmarked forward. The game had not started well for CCP when Ryan Cooper injured his knee in a challenge and the blues were effectively half a man down throughout the game. Saints then turned the game around in the second half when a ball down the left ricocheted off of Jonathan Lee's legs. Their striker smacked a shot against the right then left hand posts and came out kindly for their striker to tuck home the rebound, the ball taking a big deflection of Cooper's lunging leg and deceiving the already grounded Parker. It was a lucky goal but deserved, with Parker already having made some important saves. He was called into action again when their skilful, direct striker took on the ailing Cooper, beat him for pace and Parker bailed out CCP with a save on his leg. Scott Lethbridge continued his rich vein of goal-scoring form by confidently rounding the goalkeeper down the right and flicking in a shot that the custodian got a hand to, but could not keep out of the net. 2-2 in a game increasingly about frail defences. Saints' third was due to some poor defending on the part of the blues. Their striker sent a ball out to the wing, where the other striker ran Lee and flicked a delayed return pass. Both James Dower and Lethbridge were ball watching and let the striker go totally unchecked to stroll through and finish. A third equaliser was a beautiful goal devised between Alberts and Lethbridge. Cooper played a short pass out to Alberts, who played a nice one-two-three-four with Lethbridge down the left flank. With the defenders in knots, Alberts stroked home the finish low to the goalkeeper's right. Quite how CCP managed to avoid their first defeat of the season we will never know, but a side in good form have the ability it seems to turn bad performances into positive results.


Game 2-CCP FC (2) 2 (Lee Alberts 6, 8)Troggies Trojans (1) 1

Meeting once again in the group phase, CCP and Trojans squared off in a heated, spirited game in which ultimately the blues took another welcome three points from the Premiership side. Cooper's injury prevented him from continuing and in stepped Tristan Laity to fill the breach. Alberts now looks on top of his game and this reflected in the effortless nature in which he glided past defenders from the left and beat the goalkeeper with ease down to his left for both goals, the first a smash and the second a placed finish. Trojans immediately drew themselves back into the contest when their little striker flicked a backwards ball over the heads of both Dower and Laity, before spinning and finishing past Parker. The second period saw much better defending from CCP, who shut the door firmly in Trojans' faces. Dower, Lee and Laity all were strong and aggressive. Parker did however produce one brilliant unsighted save with his left hand when an fizzing shot from the left went through a sea of bodies inside the post until the custodian flung himself across goal to parry. Not to be outdone, their goalkeeper also stretched fully to his left to turn an Alberts hat trick attempt out of the top left-hand corner. The tussle between Lee and their small striker escalated to the point the latter went in from behind, an ugly challenge that saw Lee retaliate with a kick and a punch. Both players had to be separated before being dispatched by the referee.

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Tristan Laity, Jonathan Lee; James Dower, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge.

16th June 2010:

Game 7-

CCP FC (0) 1 (Daniel Johns 20)Peldrose Pymps (1) 1

CCP FC, without talismanic striker Lee Alberts, on his hols, took on 4th place Peldrose Pymps, a potentially daunting game. They had only themselves to blame for the goal that put them one goal down for half time, as a comedy of errors led to the ultimate penalty. James Dower and Jonathan Lee forced a throw-in down the right, and the first mistake was by the referee, awarding the decision the other way. Lee lambasted the official, not realising the throw-in had been taken quick and he was out of the game. Ryan Cooper was statuesque as his striker cut across him to met the bouncing ball with an equally ponderous left-foot finish, a weak bobbler that Rob Parker in goal allowed to go across him and nestle inside the back post. It was the only notable act of a dire first half of football. But CCP knuckled down in the second period and worked harder in the broiling early evening sun. Pymps had very little joy from the blues' defence from then on, and Daniel Johns nearly opened his account with a stunning volley that dipped just over the crossbar. Dower got in an advanced position and hit a shot that the goalie comfortably touched wide for a corner. Johns then produced a last-minute salvo to save the blues from their first defeat. Dower applied pressure to their midfielder on the ball, who seemed happy enough to erode time. He played a sloppy back pass that Johns intercepted, taking out the defender on the inside in one motion. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, CCP FC XI's second top scorer had no qualms in slotting the ball inside the near post from close range for his first strike for the sixes. It turned out to be decisive, as the referee blew for time only seconds after the restart.

Game 8-CCP FC (0) 0Cornish Wonderers (0) 0

Top versus bottom and CCP will only feel they have wasted two points as the hunt for the title continues apace. The absence of Alberts was profound for a side who only registered one shot against the side who prop up the table, a Johns effort from range. Wonderers offered very little in return, but could have stole an improbable win in the second half when Lethbridge lost his man bursting from midfield to create a three-on-two scenario. Cooper closed down the ponytailed striker, who slipped it inside for the unmarked striker. With the entire goal to aim at, he dragged a poor finish three yards wide of the goal.

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; James Dower, Daniel Johns; Scott Lethbridge.

30th June 2010

Game 9-CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 7)Cornish All-stars (0) 1

CCP will be left absolutely kicking themselves when what should have been 6 points dissolved to only two because of wayward finishing and a couple of defensive lapses. It will be especially hard as CCP dropped points against AFC Truro, one point above them at the top of the table. Poor preparation going into this evening did not benefit the blues, with Rob Parker missing out due to scheduling problems on part of Soccernights. Combined with the referee turning up late on pitch one, Ryan Cooper had to deputise between the sticks, with some bloke playing in midfield to start. Cooper didn't have to fish the ball out of the net, but All-stars might have scored when a simple clipped ball over the top deceived Jonny Lee. Their striker chested it down and under pressure from Lee, spooned his finished high and wide of Cooper's left hand post. CCP, with Lee Alberts returned after a sojourn to Canada, took a deserved lead before half time. Alberts had already flashed two warning shots across All-stars' bow before slotting home from a similar position down the right, having this time glided past two opponents. After half time, CCP turned the screw and should have scored a second. Cooper, outfield now with Karl in goal, slid a ball down the left wing for Alberts, who span his man instantly and bound into space. Alberts waited and flicked a ball to the back post for the onrushing James Dower. The midfielder took a touch but could only steer his finish wide of the near post. Alberts then similarly set up Scott Lethbridge and the striker contrived to miss when even better placed. The blues were made to pay, and such a soft goal to concede. Their striker took on Cooper, who diverted his sliding challenge back towards Karl in goal. The stand-in custodian then oddly chipped a ball into the wind that barely covered fifteen yards. Lethbridge was under immediate pressure and their man stole in, went through on goal and clipped the ball into the net past the onrushing Karl. A terrible way for CCP to discard a lead they had been comfortably atop of. It could have been worse when their strong striker surged past a sluggish Cooper down All-stars' left.

Cooper and Karl did enough physically to pressurise him into toe-poking inches wide of the far post, before Cooper enjoyed an unchallenged run into their half and lashed a curling shot that the goalkeeper parried over.

CCP FC: Ryan Cooper / Karl; Jonathan Lee, James Dower; Some guy, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge.

Game 10-CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts 4)AFC Truro (1) 1

The season is defined by games such as this, top versus second, and CCP enjoyed a wonderful start. The standard of the blues' play from the back, through the middle to the front had been excellent so far and a goal in suitable vein, when a fine passing move resulted in Lethbridge drawing two defenders and finding Alberts with a square ball. Alberts then slotted his left-footed finish home for two in two upon his return. But Alberts will know he should have scored a crucial second in this game against a haphazard AFC Truro defence. In so much space, Lethbridge slipped in Alberts, who darted between defenders, rounded the goalkeeper down the left, and then could only stumble with an open goal and prod the ball wide. It was a gob-smacking moment for such an accomplished goal scorer. Almost inevitably, in the manner of the evening, CCP presented the opposition with one opportunity and in an instant, the lead was gone. AFC had thrown caution to the wind from the off and a four on three counter-attack left the blues in trouble. CCP did not commit enough back to deal with the threat and their man bursting through midfield latched onto a diagonal through ball to smash home a terrific first time shot past our stand-in goalkeeper Danny. Alberts started the second half in venomous style by smashing the left hand post with the goalkeeper not even smelling it. Our goalkeeper was also required to act, saving a shot from a narrow angle with his back. CCP then started to dominate the would-be champions in a one-sided second half, shots raining in that the goalkeeper struggled to keep out with some unconvincing saves. CCP's luck of the evening was compounded when Alberts hot a low fierce shot that the goalie smuggled onto the left hand post. The ball rolled agonisingly across goal, struck the other post and nestled in the keeper's grateful arms. Could two dropped points be telling in an evening that saw AFC Truro move three points clear of CCP in the title race?

CCP FC: Danny ?; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; James Dower, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge.

LATEST RESULTS:

7th July 2010:Champions League Group Phase

Game 3-CCP FC (0) 2 (Tristan Laity 12, Lee Alberts 17)Booner's Boys (0) 1 (Arron ? 13)

CCP met Booner's Boys for the second time in recent weeks and netted another victory despite not playing particularly well. Strikes from Tristan Laity and Lee Alberts punctuated an otherwise ponderous performance against a side desperate to reverse their underwhelming form this season. The game demonstrated the resilience CCP have shown all season to avoid defeat and turn average performances into points. Their skilful forward Arron made a beeline for goal down the right flank and burst past Ryan Cooper, but Cooper was able to exert enough physical pressure for the striker to put his shot low straight at the sprawling Parker from a tight angle. The game was cagey right up to half time when Booners missed a gilt-edged chance. A low speculator had Parker scrambling to save with his foot. The loose ball span to the back post and Arron with the net at his mercy, blazed over the top. The second half picked up momentum and Scott Lethbridge should really have scored when Alberts slipped him in on goal in oceans of space, but the striker dallied and dwelt, allowing Ben Minns to intervene with a splendid last-ditch tackle. The blues eventually got their noses in front from a second ball at a corner. Lethbridge's initial out-swinger was not well-cleared. Cooper won his 50-50 challenge, instantly flicking the ball into the feet of Tristan Laity, and Laity with no hesitation, smashed a wicked, dipping, curling shot that struck the underside of the bar, bounced down over the line and found the roof of the net for good measure. CCP's joy was short-lived as they surrendered a cheap equaliser right from the kick-off. Karl for Booner's ran at Cooper with the ball and played a slide-rule pass into the heart of the defence, where Arron had stole through midfield totally unchecked, to skip wide right and this time beat Parker with a low angled finish. A point looked on the cards until Alberts decided to do it all by himself for the winning goal. He initially Cruyff turned a marker, then cut inside Booner's right back to finally slot a low side-foot finish beyond Martin Keane in goal.

Game 4-CCP FC (0) 0KFC (0) 0

A truly daunting task awaited CCP in the second game and challenged their unbeaten 13 game season so far, a clash with Premiership leaders KFC. And what resulted was a truly excellent point, the first time the blues have earned a result against a side top of the pile. The game followed a familiar pattern, with KFC shifting the ball quickly and probing a stubborn and well-organised CCP defence. The favourites had little joy in the first half. Their long-haired forward lashed a fierce first-time shot just over the bar from a tight angle, KFC's only clear-cut chance. Alberts arced his body to get over and volley a high ball down at goal and forced the goalkeeper into a fine catch. It opened up for KFC after half time as the Championship side began to tire, and they peppered the CCP goal with shots. Rob Parker in goal was the busiest man on the pitch, producing two or three alert saves from range finders, one an excellent reflex save down low to his left. Their long-haired striker stormed into space down the left to meet a square pass, and well-placed, could only balloon his shot. Lethbridge flicked a cross over from the left, and the goalkeeper looked less than convincing in fumbling the ball to the back post. James Dower sniffed blood, but the 'keeper reacted to boot the ball to safety. Alberts, forced predominantly into a more defensive role against this standard of opposition, could have nicked an unprecedented victory for the blues from a half-chance at best, but he squeezed off a shot that bobbled just wide of the far post from the right.


14th July 2010:

Game 11-CCP FC (0) 0Pasty Lovers (0) 0

Game 12-CCP FC (0) 2 (Lee Alberts 2)Clearflow FC (1) 2


21st July 2010:

Game 13-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts)Heron Hackers (1) 1

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; James Dower, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge

Game 14-CCP FC (0) 0Boca Seniors (0) 2

CCP FC: Some guy; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; James Dower, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge

28th July 2010:

Champions League Group Phase:Game 5-CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 2)Booner's Boys (0) 0

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; Tristan Laity, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge. SUB: James Dower (for Ryan Cooper 10)

Game 6-CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 2)

Heron Hackers (0) 0

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Tristan Laity, Jonathan Lee; James Dower, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge

4th August 2010:

Game 15-CCP FC (1) 1 (Lee Alberts)Pasty Lovers (0) 0

Game 16-CCP FC (1) 3 (Lee Alberts 3)Cornish All-stars (0) 0

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Tristan Laity, Ryan Cooper; James Dower, Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge.

11th August 2010:

Game 17-CCP FC (0) 0AFC Truro (0) 1

Game 18-CCP FC (0) 0Pasty Lovers (0) 0

CCP FC: Ben Minns; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; James Dower, Scott Lethbridge; Daniel Johns.

18th August 2010:Champions League Group Phase-

Game 7-CCP FC (0) 0Troggies Trojans (2) 3

Game 8-CCP FC (0) 0The Saints (2) 6

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; James Dower, Tristan Laity; Scott Lethbridge.

26th August 2010:

Game 19-CCP FC (0) 0Cornish Wonderers (1) 3

Game 20-CCP FC (1) 2 (Arron 2)Cornish All-stars (1) 3

CCP FC: Ryan Cooper; Scott Lethbridge, Tristan Laity; Arron, Lee Alberts, Daniel Johns.

2nd September 2010:Champions League Group Phase-Game 9-CCP FC 3 (Default victory)Heron Hackers 0

Game 10-CCP FC (0) 0KFC (0) 0

CCP impressively won their Champions League group, beating Premiership leaders KFC to pole position after a second stubborn 0-0 draw with the favourites. It's dubious KFC fielded their strongest side during this campaign, but they had enough quality to keep Rob Parker a busy man, as the custodian produced an array of comfortable saves. It is some recompense to the bitterly disappointing run of form in the league that has seen the Blues' promotion hopes dangling by a thread going into the final week. CCP must win both games, including a crucial game against 2nd placed Peldrose Pymps, and hope other results are favourable. They could finish as low as 7th, which would be harsh in a season that has carried much optimism.

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; Tristan Laity; Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge.

9th September 2010:Game 21-CCP FC (0) 2 (Scott Lethbridge 12, Lee Alberts 16)Cornish Wonderers (0) 1

Game 22-CCP FC (0) 1 (Lee Alberts 16)Peldrose Pymps (0) 0


Lee Alberts and Scott Lethbridge announced their desire to break away from CCP and form their own Wednesday Soccernights side, and so in all realism, the blues could not continue as a competitive force in the Championship. Manager Ryan Cooper then took the hard decision to retire the team. Hopeful of going out in glory, CCP had a chance to claim a belated promotion from the Championship going into the final day, and not for the first time. This, despite a recent poor run of form. The odds were against them, however, as they needed 6 points and hoped two sides above them dropped points, including opponents Peldrose Pymps.

They were feeling the pressure as lowly Cornish All-stars snatched a lead just after half time in the first game, when Scott Lethbridge miscontrolled a routine back pass, allowing their opportunistic striker in to score. However, Lethbridge made amends when his quick, drifted free kick caught out the goalkeeper and found the net via the underside of the crossbar. Alberts then maintained the blues' hopes when he popped up to score the winner late on.

Pymps, sitting in the final promotion spot at the start of play, knew a win for them would seal their return to the Premiership, but CCP forced the issue, closing quickly and keeping a surprisingly lacklustre Pymps side at arm's length. And the blues scored with time running out, Alberts weaving past two defenders and burying the ball into the net. CCP won comfortably, but alas, Pymps had already sealed their promotion with a win prior to the game. A valiant effort from the blues, but that elusive promotion was not meant to be.

16th September 2010:SNIFA Cup finals:Round of 16- CCP FC (1) 2 (Lee Alberts 6, 13) Cornish All-stars (1) 1

CCP FC: Rob Parker; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; "Rusty", Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge.

Quarter Finals- CCP FC (0) 0 AFC Truro (0) 0 (AFC win 5-4 on penalties)

CCP's two-year journey at Soccernights ended with the heartbreak of a penalty shoot-out defeat in the SNIFA cup quarter finals. It was a nerve-shredding finale to a game CCP should have won in normal time against Championship winners AFC Truro. Indeed, neither side seemed to want to win the game, as both CCP and AFC players missed crucial spot kicks that would have won the game for their team.

CCP had booked their passage in the last eight after a tight encounter with All-stars, Lee Alberts scoring a brace. Against the champions, CCP were on top throughout, but lacked the key to unlock a stubborn AFC defence. Their goalkeeper, later a pivotal figure in the game, made three or four important saves. This was arguably

the third time CCP failed to turn their superiority over AFC this season into a result.

Penalty shoot-out:AFC Truro player scores. 1-0

Ryan's Cooper's shot into the top left hand corner is repelled excellently by the goalkeeper. 1-0AFC Truro player misses the target. 1-0

Lee Alberts smashes his spot kick into the net to the goalkeeper's right. 1-1AFC Truro player scores. 2-1

Rusty calmly slots home to the keeper's right. 2-2AFC Truro player scores. 3-2

Needing to score, Scott Lethbridge holds his nerve and converts to the goalkeeper's left. 3-3AFC Truro player scores. 4-3

Our temporary goalkeeper is the coolest head in the house as his calm rolled penalty to the bottom right sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. 4-4

AFC Truro player misses. 4-4With an opportunity to win the game for CCP in sudden death, Cooper sends the goalkeeper the wrong way but his penalty, again to the left, strikes the foot of the post. 4-4

AFC Truro player hits the bar. 4-4Nobody wants to win the game as Alberts spanks his shot also onto the crossbar and over. 4-4

AFC Truro player scores. 5-4Rusty sees his penalty to the bottom left hand corner saved by the goalkeeper, who is the match-winning hero. CCP are vanquished. 5-4

CCP FC: Some guy; Jonathan Lee, Ryan Cooper; "Rusty", Lee Alberts; Scott Lethbridge.

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Free Webs · Web viewThe midfielder was afforded a surprising amount of space to take a touch from a left wing cross and poke the ball past the goalkeeper from close range. It was