Reports 18th December 2004

Men's 2nd XI suffer a 14-2 hammering at the hands of March Town III

Men's Veteran XI lose 4-1 to Bishop's Stortford Veterans

March Town Men's III 14 - 2 Cambridge South Men's II

H/T: 4 - 2

Scorers: Andy Lewis, Alex Pooles

March got off to a good start with an early goal, but Cambridge South kept in the game and had a number of chances and a couple of short corners. Unfortunately, March scored two more goals.

South came back with a brace, firstly from another solid Andy Lewis shot off a short corner, and shortly afterwards Alex Pooles and Nick Wong combined to open up the defence for Pooles to slot the ball into the net from close in. March then snuck in another goal just before the interval, in spite of stand-in keeper Lino's best efforts.

The second half was different. South had numerous attacks and were unlucky not to score from open play and corners.

March were not unlucky. They took advantage of complete brain-fade of the away team, who gave the ball away and allowed March to go through tackles with ease, and score at will ten times.

Hopefully this was an aberration, and South 2nds will rediscover our hockey skills, focus and basic techniques. Otherwise the season will feel very long and cold.

Bishop's Stortford Men's Veterans 4 - 1 Cambridge South Men's Veterans

H/T: 3 - 0

Scorers: Steve Fleck
MoM: Jim Sutcliffe

A lack lustre performance saw Ca,bridge South Vets bring 2004 to a disappointing end. Bishop's Stortford started playing good team hockey right from the whistle and were rewarded with a very early goal and another two followed by half-time.

South weren’t able to really test the keeper with Roger Craigen coming the closest bring out a good save from the keeper. In defence Jim Sutcliffe made several good saves to keep the score-line respectable and a lot of hard work was put in by Steve Riches, Andrew Matthews and Peter Kemp.

A minor readjustment at half time, with Mick Beasley and Steve Riches changing roles to try and bring more penetration to South's midfield, paid off. Within minutes of the restart Steve Fleck scored a fine individual goal and hope was in the air. South pushed forward but Bishop's Stortford's superior midfield started to dominate again and Jim Sutcliffe was called on to make further good diving saves. South kept pushing forward but rarely tested the opposition's goalkeeper, with Ricky Williams coming the closest to scoring. The pressure told on the South defence and a fourth goal was conceded.

So a disappointing first half of the season sees South Vets near the foot of the league table, but who knows what the New Year will bring.