Grange Allstars 1-1 CSKA Sophia Gardens

CSKA Sophia Gardens continued their encouraging unbeaten record with a dogged 1-1 draw away to an impressive Grange Allstars in their latest Cardiff Combination League Stage 2 Group E game.

The Red Wall came into this fixture with 19 squad player absent leaving the team having to play with three players injured and two were that recovering from illness with manager Steve Day also having to put on his boots for the club for the first time in over 4 years.

It was a game that was played in the right spirit and at a high tempo from the very start. Both Grange Allstars and CSKA showed intent to get the ball down and play a passing game.

This resulted in a very closely fought affair in the first half with neither team able to capitalise on their chances. There were a couple of moments of controversy for the away team during the opening period.

The first came when CSKA striker James Joyce felt aggrieved after turning with his back to goal only to be brought down in the box. Strong CSKA appeals for a penalty were ignored by the referee who adjudged that it was actually Joyce who had made the initial contact with the Allstars defender.

Moments later, there was further frustration for the away side as winger Cory Mackay was put through for a one-on-one only for the referee to give offside. The visitors were adamant Mackay was a few yards on but appreciated the difficult job the referee has at calling offsides as well as reffing the game.

As the teams came out for the second half, CSKA were dealt an injury blow as assistant manager Craig Robertson, who was playing with a chronic back injury, ironically pulled his hamstring as he attempted to break up the pitch on a counter attack from a CSKA defended corner.

A quick shuffle around was required by Day who initially brought on Rich Hamlett, starting on the bench due to recovering from illness, before bringing himself on for Joyce in order to cover the necessary defensive positions.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long after these changes were made that CSKA fell behind. A Grange Allstars corner saw an unmarked Zeshan Sadiq pop up at the back post to send a bullet effort into the CSKA net.

It was a gut-wrenching blow and Grange Allstars were now in a prime position to go on and win the game. However, the mental strength and heart of this CSKA team once again came to the fore. Less than 15 minutes later, the scores were level again.

A well-worked move that started with an exchange of passes down the left saw Hamlett play in Dan Carter down the left flank. The winger then cut back inside to ping a cross into Arron Ackerman at the far post who played the ball back across goal for Cai Mckenzie to add another goal to his tally for the season to make it 1-1.

What followed was a final 20 minutes of end-to-end chaos as both teams attempted to snatch the win. Grange Allstars had big calls for a penalty themselves turned down when Huw Williams made a last ditch challenge to prevent their striker from scoring. The Allstars players protested that Williams had gone threw the man to get the ball but the referee deemed Williams had got the ball first.

The game closed down with both teams having half chances but with both sides stretched to their limit with personnel the fitness levels started to suffer and the game wound down to a subdued finale with both sides admitting a draw was probably a fair result.

CSKA Manager Steve Day said "Well, that was a game that was giving us cause for concern in the build-up. Our squad has been hit by a barrage of injuries and illness lately that has left us threadbare. The lads got through the challenge last week but with another lads laid low with knocks this week it was incredible that the lads stepped up again to get a result against a very competent footballing team.

"It was very odd getting back out there as a player and I'm just delighted I didn't balls up and cost us a goal! Once again, I'm proud of all the lads for fighting for each other. The reaction after conceding that unfortunate goal was superb and showed these lads just don't know when they're beaten.

"We are already looking forward to the next game against Grange Allstars. It was a proper ding dong battle with both teams going for the win and getting the ball down to play. It was a match that was a credit to the league."

CSKA Starting Line-Up

GK: Alex Skinner

DR: Chris Lusted

DL: Huw Williams

DC: Craig Robertson

DC: Dan Owen

MR: Cory Mackay

ML: Dan Carter

MC: Ed Lewis (c)

MC: Arron Ackerman

AM: James Joyce

FC: Cai Mckenzie

Subs: Rich Hamlett and Steve Day

Goal: Cai Mckenzie

Assist: Arron Ackerman

Three Stars: Cai Mckenzie, Ed Lewis, and Huw Williams