The mighty M5s arrived at the Walled Garden pitch in good time, sporting freshly ironed away yellows (mostly) and bouying with anticipation.  "Happy new season"s all round.  Here we go again...

Old and familiar faces, along with the usual blend of fast improving youth, were joined by our latest club member.  A warm welcome Justin! 

The team gathered, names were introduced, haircuts (or lack thereof) observed, positions and tactics shared, Jo applauded as a pre-season thank you for skippering once again, and away we went.

Towards the end of last season we had learned to warm-up properly and to start fast.  So it was pleasing to see this carried straight into the 2023/24 season.  The ball transferred quickly, player movement and positioning looked sharp, and we found ourselves one up after two minutes.  A slick move Justin finding Jordan on the left, back into the middle, up to Rob to turn and shoot.  Tap, tap, tap, boom.  A cracking team goal!

Southern pressure continued with a number of close but not quite effective shorts and final astray efforts: we could've been a couple more up early on.  That might have changed to outcome but instead, Bury slowly awoke and forged their way more into the game.  The hosts eventually equalised just before the break and the whistle drew an end to an even first half.

There was general agreement at the break that we were playing reasonably well and improvements needed were minor.  Essentially:

1. Faster ball pace on passes.

2. Stay more alert to danger at the back and opportunity at the front.

3. Be calmer in possession and make the right choice.

We just need to be that 5% sharper across the pitch.

The second half started with more is the same - a balanced feel to the match between two teams wanting to clear the sleepy summer cobwebs and play hockey.  Dan decided to step out to shave his legs for his M6 match and we were down to a single super-sub in Utility Paul.  Everyone loves this could go either way.  Our midfield was working hard and competing well against a technically strong Bury outfit.  However, as the match trawled on the difference in composure between the two sides became apparent.  That made the difference in the end.  Despite a number of unbelievable saves from keeper and defence, Bury went on to bury another four goals, each taken calmly with aplomb: a demonstration of how to score goals as a team.  South had their own chances: a couple more shorts, a one on one, some two on ones that didn't quite materialise, a few shots that were well saved.

The final whistle drew the cheers in a well-mannered match whose end result in no way reflected the balance.  We should take heart from this performance.  Let's work on ball speed and all-round sharpness.  We're almost there and if we can think and play that bit slicker as we go into next week's final friendly, it'll make all the difference.  With those running out again, plus a few players coming back, we can definitely do that.  Let's look to start and remain sharp throughout next week's match.

Both awards were close.  MoM was Joe L for some incredible saves, with shout outs to Jo D, Matt and Justin.  Despite haircuts and death success, LoM went to Rob for interrupting Pete's effort and lifting the ball into his own cheek.