Reports 24th February 2007

Men's 1st XI administer a 7-0 thrashing to St Neots II

Men's 2nd XI lose 3-1 against Alford & District I

Men's 3rd XI work hard for a 2-0 win over City of Peterborough VIII

Ladies' 1st XI clinch a vital 2-1 win over Market Deeping I

 

Cambridge South Men's I 7 - 0 St Neots Men's II

H/T: 4 - 0

Scorers: Rob Garrett (4), Chris Baker (2), Mike Thorogood

Cambridge South, proudly sponsored by PwC, roared back to winning ways against struggling side St Neots 2nds. One place from bottom, this was always going to be a tough game for the away side, though they would have had some hope from the fact that the reverse fixture was only won narrowly by South, 3-2.

And tough it proved, as the away side barely posed a threat to the home defence, whilst at the other end some slick passing and clinical finishing from the home team's attack produced a half-time score of 4-0. Centre-forward Rob Garrett scored a hat-trick with captain Chris Baker adding the fourth via the penalty spot.

The second half was more relaxed as the home side were happy to ease off, but they still managed to find the back of the net three more times. Rob Garrett got a personal fourth, Chris Baker scored a second penalty flick and Mike Thorogood swept home after good work from Garrett and Baker.

Baker was happy to have moved to within one win of his pre-season target of twenty-five points, saying "This victory was a clear indication of the progress we have made this season and another three points toward safety in this division."

Team played: Steve Parker, Chris Graveling, Rupert Webb, Jim Thorpe, Leo Tomita, Eliot Read, Chris Baker (c), Mike Thorogood, Russell Johnson, Tim Clapp, Rob Garrett, Lukas Snetler

 

Alford & District Men's I 3 - 1 Cambridge South Men's II

H/T: 3 - 0

Scorers: John Greaves
MoM: Matt Kern - fitting into the forward sweeper position. Battling away effectively after returning from injury

Cambridge South started brightly, but were undone by a couple of early soft goals by Alford. This gave the home team confidence to exploit their fast forward line, which spelt trouble for the reshaped South defence. Alford snatched one more before the break, although South continued to have good possession and made good use of the attacking options and width. Finn Johnson and Matt Kern in the centre were constantly turning defence into attack but, as all too often happens, moves broke down in the danger area.

After half time South raised their game and were quicker to the tackle. Pressure told and a goal arrived from a short corner, as Wilco Dijkstra's bobbler came to John Greaves lurking by the near post, who gratefully slotted the ball into the net giving the keeper no chance.

Alford managed to hold out to the end, and probably deserved the win. The unlucky Andy Bleach, always aggressive in defence, did not deserve the bloody nose he suffered in the cause. This was a day when commitment was not enough. The better composure, team play, and pace (the younger ones) and skill (most of them) of Alford won the day.

South need to translate the attitude of today's second half into points in the remaining four games to achieve the mid-table safety their general play warrants.

Team played: Lino Di Lorenzo, James Lee, Andy Bleach, Jan Brynjolffssen, Matt Kern, John Horsley, Wilco Dijkstra, Finn Johnson, Dave Borthwick, Rob Barton, John Greaves (c)

 

City of Peterborough Men's VIII 0 - 2 Cambridge South Men's III

H/T: 0 - 1

Scorers: James Cobbe, Simon Ta
Mom: James Cobbe - for admirably playing in an unfamiliar midfield role and helping us dominate the area

Cambridge South came into this match (with no substitutes!!) knowing full well that only a win would do in the hunt for a promotion place. The fact that Peterborough 8ths would do no favours in our league table pursuit of Peterborough 7ths meant South came to the pitch with an all guns blazing attitude! A 3-1-5-1 was employed. Stand-in captain Simon Ta came prepared with 3 short corner routines to provide some ammunition from the set pieces. The Peterborough team included a lot of players from the 7th side and a lot of youth as well but it was South that dominated possession and the general play.

In fact, South had the ball pinned in the opposition's half for over 80% of the game. Ian Evans enjoyed a relaxing game with no shots on his goal and only necessary movement being retrieving the ball going harmless beyond his back line and the half time switch over. Great inter-play between Tim, James, John Somerville and Si down the left side carved a few half chances in earlier encounters. As the game wore on, Peterborough used their veteran playmaker (of whom Jan advised to avoid in the Peterborough 7th encounter) to distribute the ball out wide and get them moving forward.

However, Collin sitting in front of the defence was not to be bypassed and after winning numerous balls put South back on the counterattack and it was from one of these moments that the ball was slipped through to James Cobbe on the left side of the D where he proceeded to loft the ball past the keeper on his near post.

After the break through, South pressed the advantage under the constant shouting of stand in captain Si and produced a few threatening breakthroughs down the right hand side with good width from Mike and support from John Sharp.

A short corner routine thoroughly explained by Si reaped dividends with Tim passing the ball across the face of goal for Si to beat the keeper at his near post once more. The various short corner routines and calls caused confusion throughout the Peterborough ranks on every set piece and South were unlucky not to add to their lead when Si dragflicked a ball just centremetres wide from the right hand post.

The second half was filled with shocking decisions from the umpire, probably feeling sympathy for the young ‘uns of Peterborough which climaxed in a green card for South's captain. With the ball located in the Peterborough half for large durations of the 2nd half, South were unable to turn possession into more goals with the closest chance being Simon's flicked through balll for Tom Roselli to go beyond the defense with only a last ditch tackle preventing him from surging into the box. Overall a good performance gaining valuable points, bring on Boston next week!

Team played: Ian Evans, David Bridge, Kevin Pride, John Sharp, Colin Singleton, John Somerville, James Cobbe, Tim Waller, Michael Woolley, Tom Rosselli, Simon Ta (c)

 

Cambridge South Ladies' I 2 - 1 Market Deeping Ladies' I

H/T: 1 - 0

Scorers: Gemma Thomas

This was the biggest fixture of the Ladies' season: not only would a win guarantee their highest league finish but also avenge the 6-1 defeat inflicted by Market Deeping earlier in the season. Despite the early start an impressive crowd assembled to cheer on the Ladies.

As has been the pattern throughout the season, Lady Tottington lost the toss and Market Deeping got the game underway. Five minutes into the game, South picked up a loose Deeping ball and drove at goal and were awarded a short corner. Liles hit the ball to Gemma who rounded a defender and attempted to flick the ball goalwards; it bobbled over a defender's outstretched stick,then the goalkeeper's foot before ending up in the goal.

Usually South would have relaxed and played their own game, but not today. They allowed Deeping to play their game and for long periods of the first half had to soak up a lot of pressure. Loopy was back in goal and made some very important saves to keep the 1-0 lead.

With Lady Tottington feeling under the weather, a change to the defensive line up midway through the first half saw Jo R drop back to right back, with Bek and Ellie in the centre and Jodee out left. Despite being out of position Jo marked solidly and gelled well with the defence. Emma and Sarah were working well down the left, Liles and Jo C were ruling the right and Tash was working hard to lose her marker who stuck close to her throughout the game.

But the free flowing passing was missing what was needed was the safety of a second goal. That came 45 seconds into the second half. Gemma picked up a ball on the half way line and ignoring the shouts of the crowd to pass ran down the right. Tash pulled the defenders away with her leaving Gemma with a clear path to goal, as soon as she reach the D she shot hard and low into the left hand corner.

A 2-0 lead and South started to play their own game. They were unlucky not to convert anymore of the short corners they were awarded. Deeping scored from a well worked short corner with about 10 minutes to go, but South held firm to the end of the game and deserved their 2-1 victory.

Lady Tottington’s post match comment was, "A great result against a team who looked unbeatable only a few months ago, showing that our dedication and team work have really paid off this season". Six points clear of Deeping in third sees South finish in, at worst, second place which brings with it the possibility of promotion depending on what happens in the higher leagues. This is the highest league finish achieved by South Ladies (as far as the author is aware) so well done to everyone involved this year and especially to Becca and her magic purple book.

Team played: Lou Tonkin, Becca Lumb (c), Ellie Raffan, Bek Rhodes, Jodee Webb, Sarah Martin, Gemma Thomas, Jo Read, Jo Cobbe, Liles Dee, Tash Cox, Emma Clarke