CCFC 1 v 2 PETERBORO

CCFC v PETERBORO

Warning: This report contains events that some people may find disturbing. Any inaccuracies or conflict in mood and tone result from cocky assumptions made in advance that foolishly ignored a lifetime of harsh reality checks. This is what happens when you dare to dream. My apologies.

The Preamble Ramble

In 1927 while we were busy buffing up our cloth caps, lubricating our rattles and comb-overs and checking we had enough roll-ups for the trip on the Great Western bogie to Paddington for our second Cup Final in three years against the mighty Gunners, lowly Bradford Park Avenue were completing an unprecedented run of 25 home wins in Division 3 North.

That particular record may be beyond us but the inevitable win today against bottom of the table Peterboro will beat Southampton’s 10 match winning sequence from last season and extend our match-by-match stroll along the Glory Road to immortality. By contrast, The Posh find themselves at the foot of the table, having secured just one point from the last 24 available. At this rate it will be some time before the swanky upstarts take their place at the top table.

Peterborough were given the moniker ‘The Posh’ after the manager of the then Peterborough & Fletton United set out to recruit ‘posh players for a posh team’ in 1934. Their working-class credentials are further compromised by the fact that their traditional rivals are Cambridge United and at the height of hooliganism and social unrest in the 1980’s rival fans would often congregate on the green at King’s College to question each other’s honour.

Well, my learned Posh friends, it is my most earnest contention therefore that when considering the relative merits of today’s teams based on the most contemporary empirical evidence one has to seriously question if there has ever been a greater mismatch in the history of Championship football. One would in fact give scant regard to any outcome other than a convincing victory to the home team followed by much merry-making, revelry and general conviviality. Power to the people, right on...

The day began with a tribute to Rick Wright, the former Chairman who ran the club between 1992-95, rescuing it from financial meltdown with his own money, introducing a number of innovative schemes such as ‘Kids for a Quid’ and a sliding scale of ticket prices based on the team’s performance. Yes, it was cheap to watch the Bluebirds in those days.

The Posh were neatly turned out in a mid-80’s shade of Bluebirds Blue and it was to be another afternoon of double-takes. The natural urge to get behind the team in blue was proving difficult to restrain as against all expectations Peterboro had clearly come to play football. Darren Ferguson had said in advance that we were ‘frightening’ in the victory against Blackburn but he fancied his team’s chances against us. A chip-off-the-old-block bit of Fergie kidology surely?

Malky kept faith with Conway who began brightly, forcing a rash challenge from their right back who earned an early booking. From the resulting free kick Helguson found the net with a thumping header which was disallowed by a suspiciously late flag from the referee’s assistant.

Posh were not daunted by our early dominance and went close themselves, forcing a sharp save from Marshall after some neat, unchallenged, inter-play on the edge of the box. Without the suspended Hudson we looked ponderous and leaderless at the back, guilty of standing off and letting their midfield take control. Our own midfield was anonymous, Whittingham and Cowie failing to impose themselves, swamped by the Posh playmakers.

On 20 minutes Helguson went in with raised feet for a 50/50 challenge on the edge of the box. Despite winning the ball fairly and being upended himself he was penalised. And booked! The free kick from Bostwick flew either through or over the wall past Marshall. The Canton End’s bitter rendition of ‘1-0 to the referee’ was spot on.

Shortly afterwards a Bellamy header was cleared off the line and we had a number of consecutive corners as the half drew to a close but we were less than convincing. Conversely, Peterboro were looking like one of the more useful outfits to visit Fortress CCS this season.

Malky’s half-time instructions were clearly to get up and at them from the start, which we did. Unfortunately this left us very vulnerable at the back as the Posh broke with Turner and McNaughton on the back foot. The ball was fed through to the impressive Gayle and the on-loan striker coolly slotted the ball past the advancing Marshall. 0-2.

Gayle had a number of further opportunities to put the game beyond us as the game wore on and our disorganised central defence were having a torrid time against a player who can’t get a regular game for Dagenham & Redbridge. ‘nuff said!

On the hour McNaughton was given the chance to end his own personal nightmare, replaced by Gunnarsson. Cowie soon joined him on the naughty stair, replaced by Mutch. Minutes later Conway was replaced by Gestede as the Dugout of Shame received its full compliment.

Inevitably we began pumping the ball up to Big Rudy and the game was up. We’re at our best running at the opposition from deep, bringing Whittingham into the game, getting the ball out wide. The old tried-and-mistrusted hit ‘n’ hope smacks of desperation and although we had chances to retrieve something from the debacle (Helguson failing to net on three separate occasions from just outside the 6 yard box) it would have been a travesty if the Posh had come away with anything less than three points.

Gestede did net late on to provide a temporary spark but this inevitably fizzled out.

I’m not sure I believe in ‘bogey’ teams but we do seem jinxed against the ‘Posh’ suffering a number of unlikely and demoralising reversals in recent years. Interestingly, the first recorded use of the word dates from a 1918 edition of Punch in the sentence ‘we had a posh time of it down there’. Again.

The derivation of the word is unclear but apparently refers back to the days of Empire ‘Port Out, Starboard Home’ whereby the members of the British Raj demanded the best seats. Here’s an updated version for our rivals: Promotion Over? Some Hope.

Normal service will be resumed on Boxing Day.