Reports 30th September 2006

Men's 1st XI defeat Long Sutton II 3-0

Men's 2nd XI lose 1-0 in a close game against Long Sutton III

Men's 3rd XI continue their winning streak, 5-2 against St Neots V

Ladies' 1st XI are beaten 3-0 by Newmarket I

 

Cambridge South Men's I 3 - 0 Long Sutton Men's II

H/T: 3 - 0

Scorers: Lukas Snetler, Matt Murray, Rob Garrett
MoM:

 

After last week's 4-0 defeat, something drastic was required and something drastic was duly done. Turning up fully eighty minutes before push-back is unheard of in this reporter's time at the club, but even Muzza was present and correct at 10.30 for Cheggers's pre-match tactics and coaching session.

Yes, you'd better believe it – there were chairs and even a white board and for over half an hour the nuances of the new hockey formation were espoused to the hockey faithful. Changing to a 4-1-2-1-2 formation (or 'the diamond' as it's better known), Cheggers was confident that goals would be easier to come by whilst also providing more cover for the defence.

As push-back approached, many of the opposition were still missing and so the start of the game was delayed by fifteen minutes. As more of their players trickled in the general feeling was that these young whippersnappers (for their average age appeared to be about half ours…) should be shown… er… the tougher side of hockey, shall we say. This was particularly taken to heart by Wallace, who was lucky to stay on the pitch near the end of the game after another spectacular rugby tackle, sorry, I mean graceful and precise snatching of the ball that coincidentally happened to leave a couple of the opposition laid out on the floor.

When the game did get under way, Long Sutton were still without a couple of players and South took advantage in the most dramatic fashion by scoring within thirteen seconds of the pushback. Surely the fastest goal in South history? Snetler to Thorogood, a quick pass to Baker who drifts into the Long Sutton half. The pass to Forrest is flicked into the path of Snetler who advances into the D and sweeps the ball past the oncoming keeper. A new formation that's already paying dividends!

The pre-match tactics, and change in formation, were proven to be an excellent decision as South played the first half with focus, determination, control and an excellent work rate. South passed frequently across the back four to spread the play and were rarely unable to get the ball out from sixteen yard hits. Thorogood provided much-needed protection in front of the defence and was a useful outlet to the midfield. The freedom this afforded Cheggers, playing just behind the front two, caused constant problems for the Long Sutton defence, who struggled all game to cope with the pace of Forrest and Snetler up front. The second goal came after good work from Cheggers in the D, and his goal-ward push was converted by Muzza, who'd ghosted in at the far-post.

South continued to fashion clear-cut chances throughout the half as full-backs Webb and 'Psycho' Benedikz provided outlets up to the midfield and wings. Snetler was unlucky not to add to his tally when through on goal but the Sutton keeper was out quickly to make the save. The tenacious and hard-working Finn almost found the back of the net after a long corner was turned across the D by Forrest but the ball was just in front of his reaching stick. The third goal did arrive in the end, when an advancing Thorpey found Forrest on the half way line who ran goal-ward, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

In the second half South were reinforced by the insertion of Morgan the Organ at right back, which pushed Webb up to right mid. With a 3-0 lead the home side were content to sit back and absorb the Long Sutton pressure, and despite a succession of short corners the away team never looked like scoring. Graveling and Thorpe were superb at the back, organising and orchestrating the marking. Keeper Jon Price did good work and stopped a number of hurried Sutton shots.

But this was a first rate defensive display from the whole team and Tristen and Webb in the middle of the park were tirelessly tackling and tracking back – even Cheggers was seen back in the home 22! Snetler scampered about on the half way line and forced the visitors to hurry all their passes. Defending from the front always makes things easier. South were able to create a few chances as Long Sutton left gaps at the back, the best one coming from a right wing Forrest cross to Tristen that was dealt with by a last-minute tackle from a Sutton defender, but a fourth goal didn't look likely.

In the end, an excellent team performance from South – if we can continue to play like that this league will pose little difficulty for us.

Team played: Jon Price, Chris Graveling, John Benedikz, Jim Thorpe, Rupert Webb, Rich Morgan, Mike Thorogood, Chris Baker (c), Matt Murray, Finn Johnson, Tristen Knight, Lukas Snetler, Rob Garrett

 

Long Sutton Men's III 1 - 0 Cambridge South Men's II

H/T: 1 - 0

Scorers:
MoM: Andy Bleach - man of steel in defence

Cambridge South 2nds, sponsored by PWC, lost a close match that was settled by two routine short corners. Long Sutton scored from theirs with an unstoppable shot after ten minutes, and Cambridge South were unlucky as a similar shot from Andy Lewis found the net millimeters above the backboard right at the end.

In between the Cambridge South defence, who were all heroic, prevented Long Sutton from getting any meaningful shots in. Leo Tomita in particular was resolute, and MoM Andy Bleach tireless in the cause. The midfield battled away, with Mark Jackson benefiting from a quiet friday night in, and Tim Waller tigerish in turning defence into attack. Even Jan Brynjolffssen at sweeper-right back-right midfield popped up to deliver some telling crosses towards the end.

Unfortunately the story of the game was of poor final passes into the danger area, and giving the ball away from promising positions, giving the forwards few chances, although there were some, which the keeper blocked well.

The commitment is there; fitness and teamwork continue to improve; more finesse in attack will be needed to convert this into points.

Team played: Ian Evans; Jan Brynjolffssen, Ron Oren, Andy Bleach, Leo Tomita, Gareth Peat, Mark Jackson, Suk Pannu, Tim Waller, John Horsley, John Greaves (c), Andy Lewis

 

Cambridge South Men's III 5 - 2 St Neot's Men's V

H/T: 3 - 1

Scorers: Rob Barton (4), Simon Ta
MoM: Rob Barton - hard not to be, with four goals

Another stonking performance from Cambridge South 3rds saw them complete a hat-trick of pre-season victories in their final friendly against St Neots 5ths at Coldhams Common Astroturf.

The match started inauspiciously (and late), with James R forgetting the shirts and Wilco forgetting his keys, resulting in a mercy dash by the captain, Neil, to collect the stranded Wilco from Cherry Hinton while James headed back home for the shirts. With no keeper available and Neil consequently making his debut in the role, the omens weren't looking good.

However, a bright start by South saw Matt play in our very special guest star, Rob Barton, for the opening goal after just five minutes. Unfortunately, that was also pretty much Matt's final contribution to the game (and the first half of the season), as shortly afterwards an acrobatic tumble saw him land on his thumb and consequently depart the field with torn ligaments in his wrist. Although now in plaster and unable to drive (following close questioning, the captain has grudgingly accepted that this also means unable to play hockey), fortunately it's Matt's left wrist that is injured so he won't be completely stuck for something to do while stranded at home in Longstanton over the next few weeks!

Down to ten men, South regrouped and continued to press the attack. Lively performances from forwards Rob and Simon, and excellent work on the wings from James R and Michael, had South looking dangerous every time they pushed forward. However, an unfortunate concession of a penalty flick by South, skillfuly tucked away into the side netting by St Neots, levelled the scores, largely against the run of play. Undaunted, South continued to look the more dangerous side and hard work from the whole team was rewarded by two more goals for Rob before half time.

A beetroot-red South side gratefully reached the half time break with a muffled pep-talk from their goalkeeper-captain, who hadn't been able to figure out how to remove his helmet and was reduced to trying to squirt water into his mouth through his face grill. The message seemed to get through (or maybe no-one listens to the captain anyway) as South started the second half as they finished the first. St Neots replied with their best period of play, opening the second period scoring after a save from Neil was deflected up in the air and, with the goalkeeper still looking around wildly for the ball, fell straight to a St Neots player to tap into the goal. Further pressure from St Neots almost brought an equaliser when a fast lifted shot through a crowd of players was narrowly deflected wide by an instinctive outstretched foot from the South keeper.

Having weathered the storm, and despite having played almost the whole match a man short, South responded to finish the match strongly. A selfless holding job from Wilco, occupying central midfield mostly by himself in the absence of Matt, and backed up by James B stepping forward from central defence, gave South a strong platform to attack. Full backs Dave and John were also quick to get forward and offer support, while Ky cleared up at the back. Out wide, James R and Michael linked excellent with Simon and Rob, playing triangles around the St Neots defence and repeatedly driving to the byline and into the D. The game was finally made safe by a goal from Simon Ta, before our Duracell-driven glory-hunter, Rob, rounded off the afternoon with his fourth and South's fifth goal.

An excellent result for the Thirds, completing a clean sweep of the pre-season friendlies, only diminished by the cruel blow of losing their Vice-Captain for the first half of the season and lesser ankle injuries to James R and Potts. As long as everyone avoids further injury, the Thirds go into the league fixtures with confidence for a promotion push.

Team played: Neil Sneade (c), Ky Ho, Dave Monck, James Bridge, John Sharp, James Raikes, Matt Kern, Wilco Dijkstra, Michael Woolley, Simon Ta, Rob Barton

 

Cambridge South Ladies' I 0 - 3 Newmarket Ladies' I

H/T: 0 - 2

Scorers:

After a successful cup game last week, an impressive 3-1 victory over Cambridge Ladies' II with an excellent display of team work and passing, South Ladies, sponsored by PwC, embarked on their first league game.

In a repeat of a friendly match a couple of weeks ago South hosted Newmarket. Karen gallantly stepped in as goal keeper, and her footballing skills were evident as she rushed out to close down the attackers on numerous occasions. However things didn't get off to a great start as Newmarket scored an early goal. They waltzed through the middle with little trouble. But South pulled it together a bit, although the fluid passing of last week was missing for large periods of the game.

Newmarket scored again before half time to go in ahead, although to be fair the score line could have been greater had Newmarket scored their plethora of short corners awarded for…?

In the second half to fill the gap in the middle Liles ran and ran and ran and South were holding them well and even managed to be awarded a couple of short corners of their own. For long periods of the second half South look good going forward, sending the ball out wide to Emma who made the most of the space on the wings.

It was a hard match that will prepare us for future battles, its only three points lost, we can still go for promotion!!

Team played: Karen Humm, Liz Tattersall, Becca Lumb (c), Ellie Raffan, Emma Clarke, Jo Read, Sally Spencer, Liles Dee, Jodee Webb, Sarah Martin, Tash Cox, Jo Cobbe