Reports 13th March 2004

Men's 1st XI win 3-0 against March Town II

Men's Veteran XI win 4-2 against Market Deeping Veterans

March Town Men's II 0 - 3 Cambridge South Men's I

H/T: 0 - 1

Scorers: John Taylor, Matt Murray, Rob Barton

In a potentially difficult encounter against high-scoring March Town, South emerged worthy winners with a strong all-round performance which again demonstrated their flexibility in the face of enforced team changes. Missing regulars Keith Simpson (broken thumb), Sanjay Agarwala and Chris Graveling from last week's XI, the visitors were forced to reshuffle their left flank and defence and were glad to welcome back Rob Hay from injury and Jim Thorpe from a burgeoning love affair with Canadian chicken wings.

After an early exchange of skirmishes, South quickly asserted their dominance, with Rob Barton and newly-minted left wing John Taylor both close to rounding the home keeper in the first two minutes after an attacking run by Matt Readman. Rick Erlebach's strike from a third minute short was well stopped but he soon had another chance when Rob Garrett was spectacularly upended by a clumsy challenge just inside the twenty-five. This time, Erlebach's switch was intercepted and March released their left-winger on a fast break with Readman in hot pursuit but it was keeper Steve Parker, calling early, who finally put a stop to matters by tackling decisively from the edge of the D. A similar run by Matt Murray was then rudely interrupted as his legs were taken from under him amidst a flood of apologies from the embarrassed perpetrator. However, South quickly won a third short, which was again stopped by the keeper after Thorpe, pushing out as to the manner born, gave Erlebach the perfect feed.

Thorpe was then immediately on hand at the rear to calmly turn a two-on-one into a none-on-one, whereupon Veejay Agarwala worked a move nicely across through Erlebach to right-wing Garrett, whose cross found a March foot for South's fourth short. Erlebach on this occasion slipped to Barton, who was denied from a shot of measured pace, but on thirteen minutes, after making two further blocks following another South short, the home keeper was helpless to prevent Taylor stepping up to cream a lifter over him and give South a deserved 1-0 lead.

Readman and Thorpe then each had to pull out the stops to repel concerted March attacks and, though still in charge, especially through Hay, Rob Sprawson and Garrett, South had to take care not to be rounded by the eager home attack, whose energy was personified by the strong running (and vociferous encouragement) of their fifty-one-years-young right winger. After an excellent cross to the spot from Murray, Taylor got himself two bites at the cherry but was pluckily denied by the keeper and March funnelled the ball up the right, Erlebach and Agarwala notwithstanding, to win their first short after twenty-five minutes. Good work by Hay relieved the pressure but March soon came close when a free hit into the circle just cleared the bar after a neatly-angled deflection.

Keeper Parker was then called on to make two saves and clear in double-quick time before Erlebach sent up a cunningly-placed aerial which so impressed March's veteran right-winger that he was moved to cry "Watch two little ducks, no. 22!" The centre-half, his shirt number now apparently reducing him to the status of a bingo token, responded by setting up another promising move with Garrett but, although this was eventually foiled, South continued to attack, with Barton shooting just wide after an incisive feed to the inside-right channel and the defence combining smoothly to collect and distribute. But the score remained 1-0 at half-time and South clearly needed more of a cushion to feel safe against opponents who are used to scoring three or four goals a game.

Emboldened by some state-of-the-nation remarks from Erlebach, South pressed strongly in the opening minutes of the second period. Hay won good ball at the back, Barton had a shot saved, Readman beat two men going forward with classic overtaking manoeuvres and then Garrett delivered a pinpoint cross from the goal-line. Sprawson's shot was saved but, when the rebound came free, Murray administered the prescribed treatment on the far post to put March two behind on thirty-nine minutes.

South had another chance two minutes later when Sprawson again sent away Garrett, whose cross to just inside top D had Taylor's eyes bulging as he raced in to strike. Sadly, the net failed to bulge in sympathy as the ball continued on a separate path and March broke loose to win a second short despite Agarwala's staunch delaying tactiSouth on the left. The resulting shot went wide after a bobble but March persisted and, though Sprawson tackled firmly and Readman anticlockwised inventively out of trouble, a third short came after forty-seven minutes. This time, the strike was on target but Parker saved convincingly and the ball was cleared up the right wing for South to win two shorts of their own. The home keeper did well to make a stick save and two follow-ups on the first but evaded the action on the second, when Barton missed by very little after a neat switch by Erlebach.

There was little respite for him as Taylor and Barton buzzed round the D but March, unfazed by the close attention paid to their defence, hit back in an entertainingly fluctuating passage of play which saw Parker tested to the limit but emerging with flying colours. A weighty block and tackle from the South keeper on fifty-one minutes preceded March's fourth short, when they had a clear chance to walk the ball in after a slip, but Parker formed an impassable barrier with stick, gloves and then pads before impressively breaking down another short with a trademark block and clearance. Thus repulsed, March were soon back on their heels when Taylor, ably assisted by Barton, Sprawson and Garrett, surged into the D, forcing a clearance, and Erlebach put Barton clean through on a one-on-one. Barton went left but the keeper read it and dispossessed him on the edge, and the action reverted swiftly to South's circle, where, following a low, flicked penalty corner, Parker made an outstanding block with his right glove close to the ground and then defied all March's attempts to hit it past, over, under or through him.

Further danger was averted by Thorpe's calm dismantling of a two-man break on fifty-eight minutes and, though March were always keen to get forward, more space began to open up for the South wingers and Erlebach was able to find Garrett and sub John Benedikz, positioning themselves astutely, at will. Garrett in particular was almost unstoppable up the right flank and both Murray and Sprawson weighed in to good effect. But, conscious of the fact that any lapse at the back could lead to an unnecessarily anxious last five minutes, South reined back from all-out attack, and rightly so, as Sprawson was forced to make a fine reverse tackle and Thorpe twice had to do his Horatio impersonation when March sought to storm the bridge. Together, though, he, Agarwala, Hay and the ever-resourceful Readman held March at bay and South earned a late bonus when Barton, profiting from a rebound, swept in a tumbling reverse-stick shot to put the issue beyond doubt and seal an important victory whose margin would certainly have been greater but for a committed and resolute performance from the home keeper.

Skipper Steve Parker was delighted with the victory, which put his team back on track after the irritation of the Long Sutton game. He was particularly keen to praise the spirit and commitment of the side in what was, once again, a key game against potentially tricky opponents.

Cambridge South Men's II 2 - 5 Boston Men's II

H/T: 1 - 3

Scorers: Andy Lewis, Dan Adlington
MoM: Vincent Korstanje

CSHC started tentatively against league leaders Boston, who were soon in the lead. Three goals in fairly quick succession in the first half gave Southouth a mountain to climb. The first two had an element of luck as Boston picked up a poor sixteen yard hit (goal 1) and then left keeper Poole stranded (goal 2) as the ball took a deflection off a defender's foot. The third goal was a simple matter of leaving the centre forward unmarked. Further goals were prevented by some last ditch defending with a couple of goal line clearances.

In spite of these setbacks, Southouth had regained their combative spirit since the previous week's drubbing. Pressure on the Boston goal led to a number of short corners, which all produced shots, one of which was converted confidently by Andy Lewis before the defence could get close. Creed and Korstanje continued to turn defence into attack throughout, but too often the final pass went begging.

The second half was much more even as CSHC sniffed the opportunity to come back. John Greaves in particular could have had a hatrick as his close range efforts were scrambled away off the line time after time. Unfortunately it was Boston who got the next goal with the defence outnumbered leaving the right winger an easy flick in. This was followed by a similar fifth goal, this time from the left-winger. It would have been six but for a magnificent save by Tim Poole from a well taken penalty.

The final minutes were dominated by South, who grabbed a second goal as Dan Adlington bundled the ball in through a crowd of players.

Overall the scoreline flattered Boston, but CSHC 2nds had to rely too much on their energy and set piece routines to overcome the impact of all those soft goals.

Long Sutton Men's IV 2 - 0 Cambridge South Men's III

Scorers:

No report

Cambridge South Men's Veterans 4 - 2 Market Deeping Men's Veterans

H/T: 2 - 2

Scorers: Richard Bettison (2), Steve Fleck, Keith Davidson

After months of practice the Vets finally achieved their ambition of playing as a team. All eleven players suddenly looked for teammates to pass to, ran into space and actually received the return pass! Hence the scoreline which could have been far more had the visiting goalie not been on top form.

From the pushback South immediately started to take control of the match with Geoff Butcher and Steve Fleck controlling the midfield ably assisted by Keith Davidson on the right and Phil Smith on the left. South's first goal came after ten minutes or so following a lovely move from inside our own half with Geoff Butcher moving the ball to Steve Fleck who rather than beat his marker passed to Roger Craigen wide on the left who moved to the twenty-five yard line and returned the ball to Steve Fleck who then made a simple pass to Richard Bettison inside the circle who smashed the ball past the keeper.

The standard of play remained high with the visitors looking dangerous on the break but were thwarted by South's defence, which was vocally controlled by Jim Sutcliffe in goal. Steve Riches at sweeper and Dave Carswell in central defence saw that Market Deeping's forwards were denied possession inside the circle. They were ably assisted by John Sharp on the left and Mike Gronow on the right with the latter making his first appearance in a league game and adding at least ten years to the average age of the team!

Shortly after the opening goal another good move involving our forward pair of Richard and Roger saw Roger's shot saved on the line by a defender's foot but unfortunately the penalty flick went just wide of the left hand post with the goalkeeper moving the wrong way.

Market Deeping equalised shortly after this following a mix up in defence but South soon re-established a lead following another flowing move from defence to midfield to the forward pair with Steve Fleck running through to slot home the final pass. However shortly before half time Market Deeping equalised following a break away. So scores level at half time with South feeling somewhat robbed having dominated most of the first thirty-five minutes and having played far the better hockey.

South immediately got back into their stride after the restart and continued to move the ball well among themselves and create chances. After ten minutes, following a lovely move down the left, Richard was shoulder charged and sent sprawling in the middle of the circle, when about to shoot at goal following a nice return pass. The visitors clearance was intercepted by Roger who's fierce shot was deflected onto the post by the goalie and into the path of Keith Davidson who slotted the ball home from a tight angle.

The home team continued to dominate long periods of play and Deeping's goalkeeper denied Roger, Richard and Steve on numerous occasions. Deeping remained dangerous when they managed to escape the grip South had on the midfield and Jim was called on to make several good saves and his shouting at his defenders to organise them was good to hear.

South's fourth goal was again the result of good interlinking play and Richard was in the right place to drive home the ball under the diving keeper.

So a marvellous team effort, pity it was the last league game of the season though. Congratulations to the entire squad and many thanks to Mick Beasley for umpiring the match himself as Market Deeping weren't able to provide an umpire.

Bourne Ladies' II 3 - 1 Cambridge South Ladies' I

Scorers: Unknown