Reports 6th March 2004

Men's 1st XI draw 2-2 with Long Sutton III

Men's Veteran XI lose 2-1 to Milton Keynes Veterans

Ladies' 1st XI win 4-1 against St Ives IV

Cambridge South Men's I 2 - 2 Long Sutton Men's III

H/T: 0 - 2

Scorers: Rick Erlebach, Rob Sprawson

In a match rescued by David Bridge's willingness to step in as a last-minute umpiring replacement, South came face to face with the only team to defeat them thus far this season, the mercurial Long Sutton 3rds. Despite two recent heavy losses, Sutton have taken points off apparently much superior teams and are predictable only in their unpredictability. So there was a sense of unease when, within the first two minutes, Sutton's Antipodean left-winger made a speedy and virtually unchallenged run into the D and unleashed a powerful reverse-stick shot which keeper Steve Parker saved with characteristic alertness. However, as in the previous game between the sides, South conceded an early goal when a Sutton short corner was not fully cleared and the ball was blasted home from the edge of the circle past the unsighted Parker.

An equaliser seemed to be on the cards almost immediately, though, as good moves involving Rob Sprawson, Matt Murray and the consistently slippery Rob Garrett on the right and the Agarwala brothers on the left forced Sutton to pack the D and defend desperately. Yet, on ten minutes, South found themselves two down after Sutton, exploiting a seemingly innocuous position on the right, opened up space in the middle for their winger, who took an unexpected opportunity to roof the ball at a rate of knots.

In spite of these early setbacks, the home side were undaunted and quickly won a series of short corners. Striker Rick Erlebach was on target with three, all saved by the keeper, while Matt Murray's shot from a switch was cleared off the line. Catastrophe loomed at the other end when the hard-running Sutton forwards again carved out a clear-cut chance in the D but Erlebach, pulling his weight at both ends, leapt like a salmon to intercept a goal-bound flick on sixteen minutes. Within a minute, Sutton had the ball in the net again but eagle-eyed umpire Bridge had spotted a back-stick and South made good their escape through Matt Readman, Murray and Garrett.

A fifth short for South after twenty-seven minutes was reward for another looping Garrett run but both this and its two successors, flicks from Erlebach and Murray, were blocked. A further golden opportunity went begging as the ball raced across the face of the visitors' goal with the keeper otherwise engaged, but the finishing touch again eluded the South forwards, who also failed to make the most of a perfectly-angled left-wing cross from Sanjay Agarwala. Then a dubiously executed substitution by Sutton gave their left-winger a clear break into an untenanted corner and he took advantage to fire another lifted shot in the D; this time, though, Parker was able to race off the blocks and deflect the goalward strike with his upper body, leaving Keith Simpson to clear the soaring ball and avert further disaster. But South, despite winning their eighth short corner in just over twenty minutes, still ended the half 2-0 down.

Skipper Parker and an animated Rob Sprawson emphasised the need for cool heads, solid defence and teamwork and the second half started with South continuing to lay siege to the visitors' goal. Erlebach fed Sanjay Agarwala on the right post but the Sutton keeper, a big thorn in South's flesh in the previous encounter, made two resolute blocks before the ball finally went wide. Agarwala again, this time from Vincent Korstanje, and Murray both battled through grimly but no-one could land the killer blow until Garrett once more outpaced his marker to deliver the ideal cross, which a jubilant Erlebach put away under the diving keeper to reduce the deficit on forty minutes.

South continued to turn the screw, with Murray roaming widely in an effort to find a suitable site for an incision and Sanjay Agarwala making a thrilling right-angled run past four defenders to the goal-line before narrowly falling short with the equaliser in sight. Defensively, South found more cohesion in the second half and both Keith Simpson and Veejay Agarwala showed their mettle in the challenge. South won a ninth short after forty-six minutes but Erlebach's punchy on-drive was well sticked away by the goalie. After good work from the aggressive Readman and a tackle of surpassing resolution by Chris Graveling deep in his own right-hand corner, South drove relentlessly upfield through Erlebach, Garrett and Murray and, amidst a hail of bodies in front of goal, it was right-back Sprawson, capitalising on a flurry of shots from Garrett, who finally broke through the defensive shield to bring South level after fifty-two minutes.

The staggering energy of Erlebach continued to fuel South's momentum as the team's fluency increased, although Graveling was still needed to make two fantastic tackles to break down threatening attacks and Simpson had to sprint fifty yards to cover back on the right. A tenth South short after sixty-three minutes failed to sit up nicely for Erlebach and Sanjay Agarwala shot just wide, but there were more chances on offer after Veejay Agarwala burst through powerfully to set up Murray and Garrett.

The visitors defended resiliently, though, and continued to look potentially dangerous on the break. However, their left-winger had to be withdrawn for his own good after vociferously claiming to know more about the rules than the excellent Matt Bailey – who umpired with great tact, poise and reason as usual – and Sutton thus missed the opportunity to have heir strongest combination out for the last five minutes. Sanjay Agarwala again sizzled up the left to bring hopes of a late winner but, after the keeper had saved from both him and Murray, it was up to Veejay Agarwala and the rock-solid Simpson – again belying his unflappably calm approach with a flamboyantly piratical bandanna – to hold firm at the rear and help South to claim a share of the points against opponents who had once more proved to be an awkward proposition.

Skipper Steve Parker was disappointed with the loss of points but was keen to stress the importance of earning a draw. He was quick to point out that the team's next opponents, March, heavy scorers but leaky in defence, were likely to provide a sterner challenge than in the first half of the season and that, as ever, there would be no room for complacency.

March Town Men's III 6 - 0 Cambridge South Men's II

H/T: 1 - 0

Scorers:
MoM: Mark Jackson - for his imperious display at centre back (this is not a subtle ploy to keep you in defence Mark!)

The considerably reshaped CSHC team knew they were in for a hard game, and so it proved. The first half was fairly even, with the away defence, particularly the effective central pairing of Mark Jackson, and stand in sweeper Rob Barton, being unlucky to concede a scrambled goal. South did have their moments, with Stuart Creed and Tim Waller prompting many attacks and a number of short corners were won; these were well worked but not capitalised on.

The second half was, er, different. March got further ahead with a rapid double and this induced panic in the CSHC ranks. Two more goals were gifted to the by now dominant March team as South visibly tired, leaving keeper Will Benedikz unprotected all too often. The final goal was barely noticed as the renowned CSHC 2nd team competitive spirit drained away.

A bad day at the office, with the effects of double ups and general unfamiliarity arising from a scratch team, coming up against a good March team working together as a unit in front of their vocal supporters.

Cambridge South Men's III 0 - 1 Ely City Men's III

H/T: 0 - 0

Scorers:
MoM: David Bridge - for high quality support of both the defence and strikers. Honourable mention: Will Benedikz - whose first half saves gave South a chance of victory and prevented what could have been a heavier defeat

A game in which one side need three points to stave off relegation, whilst the other needed them to secure promotion, was never going to be a dull one. Cambridge South can consider themselves bitterly unlucky to have lost to a good Ely side despite controlling much of the game. In a closely fought contest it took a second half short corner to divide the two teams, who matched each other for the whole seventy minutes.

South took a little time to adjust to a slightly altered team which saw the replacement of Andy Kennedy (broken fingers) with Chris Clegg. During their period of adjustment South battled Ely through the midfield and matched them in all departments.

Chances were few and far between in the first fifteen minutes as neither team really made inroads into the others circle. It was fantastic to see South take control of the game as the half grew older and create some good chances. Both forward Nick Wong and Wilco Dijkstra had chances, although the best of which was a cross from the by-line that scooted across the face of goal but somehow evaded all the South sticks present.

Ely, who were obviously extremely worried by the quality of the South's play, stepped up a gear. In response the South defence of Ky Ho, Will Marston, Andrew Pounce and John Benedikz had to play some extremely good hockey to keep Ely out. Once again South's defence of short corners was outstanding and Ely were unable to shoot from any of their efforts. The visitors had a number of close range efforts which were goal-bound before being expertly saved by the keeper Will Benedikz.

David Bridge at left midfield played an excellent first half, proving to be a thorn in Ely's side, tackling tenaciously on the Ely twenty-five yard line and making strong attacking runs supported by his brother and Wilco. South continued to play solidly, making few mistakes, for the rest of the half.

Whilst still being a one of their best displays, South's second half performance was slightly inferior to their first half efforts. South's efforts were encapsulated by the hard work and commitment shown by the midfield of David Bridge, Chris Clegg, James Bridge, Ali Blake and Finn Johnson, who contested every ball despite carrying an injury. Most importantly the midfield kept going for the entire seventy minutes, providing extremely valuable cover for the defence as well as menacing the Ely back line.

South were finally broken down when a short corner was awarded midway through the half. Following Ely's only clean routine the first shot was stopped before the rebound was slipped past the prone keeper and pushed home from close range. Conceding the goal spurred South into greater efforts and Wilco Dijkstra and Nick Wong both came close, the former only prevented by a smart save from the Ely keeper.

The second half's comic moment was provided by keeper Will Benedikz who raced out of his D towards the corner flag to intercept a loose ball before carefully kicking the ball to a surprised sweeper John Benedikz. As both teams stopped the whistle failed to blow and John drove the ball away to safety. Despite further attacking play South failed to level the game and Ely were much relieved to have secured the points, against the general run of play.

Milton Keynes Men's Veterans 2 - 1 Cambridge South Men's Veterans

Scorers: Unknown

No report

Cambridge South Ladies' I 4 - 1 St Ives Ladies' IV

H/T: 2 - 1

Scorers: Kate Nustedt (4)

Cambridge South gained a convincing win over bottom of the table side St Ives on Saturday. South felt this was a game they had to win, especially following a disappointing draw against this side earlier on in the season. For once they started strongly, and were soon ahead thanks to a good finish from Kate Nustedt. However, a short corner for St Ives saw them draw level with a fine strike that deceived the South goalkeeper. Shortly before half time however, South were back in front from one of their own short corners, Kate Nustedt claiming her second of the match.

The second half was very one sided. St Ives made a few forays into the South half but their young forward line was unable to get through the South defence. Player of the match Kate Nustedt claimed two more goals, both very well taken with first time shots following crosses into the D. South could have had several more goals, with at least one being cleared off the line.

In general South were pleased with both the result and their standard of play, especially as captain Rachel Rule had to do a fair amount of shuffling with players and positions. With only two more games to go, South have consolidated their mid table position and will be looking to finish the season in good style against two of the stronger league teams.