Reports 18th September 2010

Cambridge South Men's I 1 - 1 Bishop's Stortford III

H/T: 0 - 0

Scorers: Russell Johnson
MoM: Russell Johnson (For running, and running, and running.)
LoM: Simon Ta (For forgetting where he wanted a lift to and from. And for trying to steal South's goal.), Rob Barton (For wearing a PINK umpire's shirt. And for being too impartial.)

In a tense encounter Cambridge South held off a committed Bishop's Stortford 3XI to draw 1:1.

James Cobbe valiantly stepped up and organised the team pre-match as Captain Fantastic Rob Garret was umpiring in the preceding match. To make amends for forgetting the Bishops Stortford voodoo doll James delivered a stirring pre-match speech where he exhorted the team to make Bishop Stortford weep.

Despite James’ organised build-up, in the early exchanges Cambridge South were unable to get their normal fluid passing going. With Bishop Stortford controlling both territory and possession, Nick Bristowe and George Wych both made a series of timely tackles as South’s defence held the attackers at arm’s length. In an effort to open the scoring South adopted a counterattacking game. John Hawkes combined great close control and an appetite for attack, repeatedly cutting in from the left flank while Russell Johnson offered a threat on the right.

As the first half wore on Cambridge South started to impose their authority on the game. Eliot Read starting his first game for 10 months repeatedly showed great distribution from the back under pressure while Dave Aston filling in at left back showed composure on the ball and a positional awareness that could see him take on the role more permanently; however, despite the pressure by South and a goal mouth scramble, the half ended without a score.

South finally broke the deadlock in the second half. A swift break up the left released Tristen Knight. Cutting inside Tristen made the pass of the match to pick out Russell Johnson unmarked at the top of the D where Russell slotted it to the left of the on-rushing keeper. South nearly doubled their lead a minute or so later with carbon copy of the goal alas this time there was no end product. Sensing the game was there to be taken South kept pushing. Jack Chalk attempted a reverse stick shot which he claimed was the closest he’d come to scoring on the reverse for a year. In the centre of the pitch Rob Garret again showed it is possible to both shield the defence and drive the team forward, while Tristen Knight showed his versatility in playing 4 different positions - all after playing in the 2XI match.

With the Cambridge South stretched Bishop Stortford finally equalised. An attack down Cambridge’s left quickly left South’s defence outnumbered and exposed. Fresh legs and quick interplay concluded with a tap in at the far post for the extra man. The clinical finish gave Shahbaz Ali no chance at all (especially as this was also his second match of the day).

In the final stages South started to flag with John Hawkes suffering from cramp. However, South’s defence remained resolute and soaked up the pressure, as did umpire Rob Barton who refused to favour the away side despite repeated suggestions and opportunities. A tense finale ensued with a series of short corners to Bishop Stortford. South’s defence held firm each time albeit at the cost of another short corner. With full time blown South’s forward line were forced to race back each time in an effort to help out- or at least those still able and willing to run. Finally South’s defence managed to scramble the ball away and the match ended with honours even.

Captain Rob Garret commented that it was a shame that Cambridge South couldn’t provide the away victory that several committed South supporters had stayed to see. These loyal followers stayed to watch a tense match that could not compare to their earlier pulsating end-to-end thriller. Man of the Match was awarded to Russell Johnson after the Bishop Stortford defence complained about chasing him around the pitch. Rob Barton and Simon Ta shared Lemon of the Match. Rob Barton was nominated for wearing a pink umpires shirt and upholding the spirit of neutrality (seems rather harsh as he was umpiring at the time - Ed.) and Simon Ta for forgetting where he needed to a lift to and for attempting to steal South’s goal (entirely justified - Ed.)

The draw in Bishops Stortford was the final friendly before the league season starts next week away to St Ives 2. Cambridge South will take satisfaction from their successful pre-league matches as they return to face more familiar rivals.

Team played: Shahbaz Ali, George Wych, Nick Bristowe, Eliot Read, Dave Aston, Jack Chalk, Tristen Knight, Rob Garrett, Russell Johnson, John Hawkes, Simon Ta, James Cobbe

Cambridge South Men's II 3 - 7 Bishop's Stortford IV

H/T: 2 - 3

Scorers: Richard Claes, Rob Barton, Rupert Espley
MoM: Richard Claes (For scoring the first goal and making the second. Good dribbling and runs down the pitch. )
LoM: Bhavdeep Virdi (For the inspiring don't be late rant to the team after the match and for giving Tristen the wrong directions when he called 5 minutes before the push back.), Tristen Knight ( For not looking on the club website for directions and turning up 15 minutes late for the match. )

A bright start saw South take an early two goal lead. The home team began the first ten minutes without their keeper and were duly punished when Rich sharply intercepted a square pass on the 25 yard line finishing neatly into the unguarded net. South took further advantage when some tidy possession inside the Stortford circle ended with Rob Barton beating (the now present) keeper from close range.

Stortford gradually began to reorganize and force their way back into the game with some powerful running from midfield and were eventually awarded a penalty flick. Fortunately for South the Stortford player hit the post. This was only a brief respite and Stortford scored thirty seconds later with one of their many breakaway attacks. It was at this point that South effectively lost control of the game. Two further goals for the home team came just before half time, on each occasion triggered by careless loss of possession around the 25. Tighter marking at this stage may have helped South preserve their lead at least into the second half. Stortford, in fairness, were the more skilful, particularly their number nine who instigated most of their moves as a spare man in midfield.

In the second half Stortford scored four more goals, one of which was a penalty flick this time converted by the same player who had missed earlier. Positives for South came from some decent wing play. South’s third and final goal came from an excellent cross from the left which allowed the unmarked Rupert Espley time to collect and score on the reverse. Overall an eventful and entertaining game. Nice clubhouse and good teas.

Team played: Shahbaz Ali, Ian Glover, Dave Monck, Jim Thorpe, Manu Bhardwaj, Richard Claes, Bhavdeep Virdi, Tristen Knight, Sanjay Agarwala, Tom South, Rob Barton, Rupert Espley

Cambridge South Men's III 2 - 2 Bishop's Stortford VI

H/T: 1 - 1

Scorers: John Greaves (2)
MoM: John Benedikz (Authoritative in defence and manning the ramparts with determination and skill as the Stortford hordes attacked. )

A game that could have ended 4 - 4 saw plenty of excellent attacking play on both sides, many chances, and some tired legs by the end. CSouth had the best of the first half, and went ahead from an incisive through pass by the returning warrior Bridge (J) to the skipper John Greaves lurking on the penalty spot, who deftly turned it into the net banmboozling the Stortford defence. Unfortunately they soon equalised by sheer weight of numbers in the D from a short corner. The shot only just got past the reach of the excellent new keeper Chris Collinson, who made a number of confident saves and kicks through the game.

CSouth went ahead after half time with one of the best moves of the match, as midfield dynamo (A) - Paul South found midfield dynamo (B) - Jonny Deacon in space. Deacon slotted the ball calmly across to that man Greaves who made no mistake placing the ball into the net in from his unmarked position in the D.

After this it was Stortford who seemed to have the most fuel in the tank and they attacked for most of the half, but were only able to score from an unstoppable direct shot off a short corner, CSouth defence otherwise stood firm, and scrambled the ball away, with new player Tom Watson prominent turning defence into attack up the right, and man mountain John Benedikz allowing nothing past. The home team did have attacks often via Dominic Nelson, and Eric Critchley, constant threats throughout, but we were unable to capitalise. A combination of Stortford's powerful central defence and some lucky deflections preventing passes finding a green shirt thwarted us.

A decent performance for a scratch 3rds / 4ths team that never gave up and tried always to play as a team and to attack. Not forgetting that the Red Bull, and chef Atti did a brilliant job on the teas

Team played: John Benedikz, Ky Ho, Dom Nelson, Chris Collinson, Tom Watson, Tom Campbell, John Sharp, James Bridge, Eric Critchley, Jonny Deacon, Paul South, Shahzad Ali, John Greaves

Cambridge South Ladies' I 3 - 3 Spalding Ladies I

H/T: 2 - 2

Scorers: Caroline Maloni, Charlie Orrock (2)
MoM: Caroline Maloni (A very inspiring performance with some impressive runs and passes, from one of the newcomers of the team.)

Cambridge South Ladies 1s produced an excellent result for their first game of the season against a strong Spalding side recently demoted from the East League.

Despite a slightly shaky initial 10 minutes resulting in a goal to Spalding (tapped past South’s keeper and slotted in at the back post), South soon settled in to a rhythm and really showed their fighting spirit. The counter attack was impressive, with some great passing through the centre of the field resulting from a strike from the top of the D and a well timed tap in at the left post by Charlie. However, Spalding were a determined bunch and made an impressive run from the half way line, producing a similar goal to their first (tap in at the right post) providing them with a 2:1 lead. Not to be outdone, a determined South fought back and gained a short corner, with a slip to Hayley on the left resulting in a shot on goal and enabling rebound attempts by Alice and Caroline Dent. Ultimately though, it was newcomer Caroline Molony who gained the glory by managing to convert a well deserved second goal for South. South sustained the goal scoring momentum and not long after, Charlie scored again following a well timed slip to the right post by Caroline D.

Unfortunately by the last ten minutes of the game, South appeared to tire, to which the (younger!) Spalding side took full advantage. Gaps began to appear in the home side’s midfield and again resulting in Spalding making a break from the midway line. They then scored an impressive final goal from a ball across the top of the D, which was slipped to their left and lifted just over Cassie’s boot, bouncing off the top of the backboard.

So an encouraging start to the ladies 1s season following promotion into the Premier Cambridgeshire league, with a strong performance from the team as a whole. Particularly heartening were the solid performances of newcomers Lindsey B (executing some excellent tackles and free hits in her role at centre back) and Caroline M (with a skilful and hard working display at left midfield). Not forgetting the very useful steal of 2nd team captain Charlie O.

Team played: Ellie Raffan, Caroline Dent, Julie Sadler, Caroline Molony, Lindsey Berends, Cassie Woodfin, Georgie Hurford, Vicky Lavis, Hayley Sharpe, Alice Hug, Charlie Orrock

Cambridge South Ladies' II 0 - 6 Rutland Ladies I

Scorers: None

Awaiting Report

Team played: Louise Gutteridge, Tracey Hunter, Julie Sadler, Alyssa Marris, Sian Tomlin, Catherine Welsh, Sam Cooper, Carla Fitzachary, Georgie Hurford, Charlie Orrock, Leonie Dickman