Reports 20th February 2010
Men's 1sts v City of Peterborough 4 : Match postponed due to snow
Men's 2nds get a point against Wisbech Town 3
Men's 3rds v Market Deeping 3 : Match postponed due to snow
Ladies' 1sts v Market Deeping 2 : Match postponed due to snow.
Ladies' 2nds get another 3 points against St Neots 4
City of Peterborough IV OFF - OFF Cambridge South Men's I
Match postponed due to snow.
Cambridge South Men's II 1 - 1 Wisbech Town III
H/T: 0 - 0
Scorers: Nick Bristowe
MoM: Nick Bristowe (Fine display once again capped with the equalising goal.)
LOM: Dave Aston (After a short absence from routinely picking up this award, Dave returned to form by tripping over a chain fence in training, followed by an inspiring team talk culminating in a declaration that Wisbech would be sure winners were South to play to their best!)
South took to the field of play for a crunch match against promotion chasing Wisbech hoping to continue their fine form at fortress Leys.
Despite the aforementioned monumental team talk from Captain Dave, it was Wisbech who began the first half by far the stronger, with their youthful side showing a good passing game to put the South defence under pressure. Whilst having the lion's share of possession, they had little to show for it in terms of opportunities on goal, as the South defence held firm. Short corner attempts were rebuffed by the returning George Wych, whose running out was once again exemplary.
As the half wore on, South began to exert a much stronger foothold in the game, with the midfield quartet linking up well with the strike partnership of Tim and Joey Barton. Two well weighted passes from Tim slipped in Rob Leigh for one on ones with the Wisbech keeper, but the opposition no.1 was equal to it, advancing quickly off his line to quickly rebuff the chance. A short corner attempt was cunningly diverted wide by a Wisbech defensive foot when it looked destined to be a goal but the half ended goalless.
After the interval, South re-emerged determined to continue where they had left off at the end of the first half. However, Wisbech were building some fine attacks of their own, with a number of short corners being well dealt with by the home defence. A further Wisbech attack led to another short corner. This time, despite the attempts of the home defence, the corner was superbly struck into the bottom left hand corner of Shabhaz's goal, and South found themselves a goal down.
The team refused to be deterred however, and South pressed forwards in a desperate search of an equaliser. The game became more and more stretched as a result as more midfielders committed to the attacks, but the home defence stood firm. Following a further South attack, a short corner was awarded to the home side, much to the dismay of Wisbech. Kev Rowland's initital effort was well blocked by the opposition defence but the ball came out to Nick just outside the D, who skilfully dribbled into the opposition area before clinically despatching a shot to the keeper's right. South were ecstatic, and with this new lease of life sought out what could be a crucial winning goal. A last ditch interception from Wisbech prevented Tim being put through one on one with the keeper. A final short corner was awarded to Wisbech in the final minute, but again this was rebuffed by the home defence, and a difficult match ended in a draw.
Following this result, Wisbech remain in a strong position to take 2nd spot, but South will continue to look to capitalise on any potential slip-ups from those in front of them in the race for promotion. Saturday's draw means that only Horncastle (P16W16) have the potential to do the double over South this season, which is a great reflection on the team's success in adjusting to life in a higher division. All the squad should be congratulated on a great effort so far this term and they should look to continue this away to Bourne next weekend.
Team played: Shahbaz Ali, Dave Monck, George Wych, Manu Bhardwaj, Nick Bristowe, Tim Clapp, Bhavdeep Virdi, Jack Chalk, Rob Leigh, Kev Rowland, Dave Aston, John Hawkes, Rob Barton, Ali Ward
Market Deeping III OFF - OFF Cambridge South Men's III
Match postponed due to snow
Market Deeping II OFF - OFF Cambridge South Ladies' I
Match postponed due to snow.
Cambridge South Ladies' II 4 - 0 St Neots IV
H/T: 2 - 0
Scorers: Pip Noon (2), Isobel Piper, Kirsten Fairfax
Very brief report. Pip got the first (picking up the rebound of a Kirsten strike at the right post) - her first goal since the millenium she claimed. Kirsten the second (turning at the top of the D and popping it in the left hand corner). 2-0 at half time.
Third goal was Pip running in on the right post and deflecting Kirsten's straight strike past keeper in a slick corner routine. Isobel then wrapped it up with a fourth goal put in amongst a mass of blue shirts!
Some beautiful hockey, lots of good interchanges especially between Kathryn, Ley and Kirsten in the midfield and some solid defence when called upon
Team played: Louise Tonkin, Louise Gutteridge, Tracey Hunter, Pip Noon, Lottie Ritchie, Isobel Piper, Simone Vis, Kathryn Mallett, Vicky Lavis, Kirsten Fairfax, Leonie Dickman