Reports 19th February 2011
Men's 3rds claim a good win against Cambridge City.
Cambridge South Men's I 0 - 2 Cambridge Nomads II
H/T: 0 - 0
Scorers: None
MoM: Steve Parker (Saved almost everything)
LoM: Dave Aston (See later)
The usual importance of a match against our biggest local rivals was magnified this weekend by the fact that just two points separated these teams in 2nd and 3rd place in the league - with both desperate for promotion. Its fair to say that Cambridge South were more than pumped up for this game, eager to repeat their performance against Nomads earlier in the season which ended with a hard-fought 2-0 victory to South.
The enormity of the occasion had clearly not gone un-noticed with the local sports-fans as a sizeable crowd (there must have been at least 10) braved the drizzle to watch the spectacle. Much appreciated - sorry we couldn't have given you a win!
As the game got under-way, it quickly became apparent that Nomads hadn't been lazing around since that previous match. In fact, its entirely possible they might have even been practising! Or recruiting. Either way, South were slightly caught off-guard by the swift distribution, assured touches and accurate passing from the opposition. Nevertheless South held on and the meanest defence in the league lived up to its name, with Read, Wych and Aston notching up tackle after tackle and Bristow recycling the ball to relieve the pressure. Watson, Williams and Graveling worked hard in midfield to give the forwards something to work with but a combination of disciplined marking from Nomads, a few miss-cued passes and a very slippery pitch conspired to leave the forwards with slim pickings - the only notable chance being a close-range reverse stick effort from McCulloch which was deflected wide off the keeper's pads.
The team re-grouped at half-time and played with more composure in the second half. Ironically this was when Nomads scored. Firstly a drag-flick finally broke Steve's 'brick-wall goalkeeping' after another short-corner was awarded for a rash challenge by the under-pressure defence, and then, following a generous pass to the opposition striker from Bristow that had the bookies calling their lawyers, a miss-hit shot bounced agonisingly over the stranded keeper to leave South with a mountain to climb.
South responded with guts and more creative play. As usual, Aston typified this creativity - cleverly attempting to make use of the large expanses of space that were being left un-marked by Nomads. This might have worked, if the umpires had not cruely intervened and pointed out that, strictly speaking, hockey was supposed to be played within the boundary lines of the pitch and therefore passing the ball directly out of bounds from a side-line hit could not be allowed.
There was still time for Johnson to ping a shot just wide with Watson inches short of a deflection at the far post and for a quickly taken free-hit by McCulloch to flash past Johnson's stick with the goal at his mercy. In the end we ran out of time.
Credit to the team for giving 110% throughout the match and the supporters for cheering us on all the way. The aim for the rest of the season remains the same - win every match!
Team played: Steve Parker, Tom Watson, Dave Aston, George Wych, Chris Graveling, Nick Bristowe, Russell Johnson, Jack Chalk, Mark Williams, Eliot Read, John Hawkes, Graham McCulloch
Cambridge South Men's II 5 - 3 Bourne II
H/T: 3 - 2
Scorers: Ian Glover, Richard Claes, Rob Barton (2), Alex Stafford
MoM: Richard Claes
LoM: Tom Anns (Pre match watering of the pitch)
An in-form South side travelled the not insubstantial distance to Deeping Leisure Centre to face a Bourne team who were struggling in the division.
In light rain it was South who started the brighter, parting the clouds with a couple of quick strikes. Alex Stafford found the net on four minutes via a strong, classy finish after nice work from Rich Claes up the left flank. Alex turned provider six minutes later when he weighted a through pass to striker Rob Barton who was on target to slip the ball under the oncoming keeper. The score-line might have been further broadened in these initial exchanges courtesy of strong attacking play, in particular from wide men Bhav Virdi and Ron Oren, and a handful of wasted penalty corner opportunities.
At two-nil South, it seemed, took their collective feet of the gas and the game slowed to a gentle cruise. Despite this the umpires were to chalk up a trio of further efforts before the break. The first of which came from Bourne as a lurking forward was on hand to tap-in from close range after South failed to properly clear their decks during a rare foray by the hosts.
The threat of an equaliser firmly bashed South’s sleepy heads together and the wake-up call was answered by Ian Glover on twenty minutes. By this point a rejuvenated South had intensified their efforts although speed of play was far from that of the opening encounters where their dominance had reigned. Good incisive hockey from Tristen Knight led to Alex squaring the ball in the D for Rob to flick on and Ian to smash home to restore the greens’ two goal lead.
Like a dog in season, the home side were not to be shaken off and their opener was soon followed by their second. A through ball pierced the heart of South’s defence and trickled between three defenders before the lurking forward knocked home at the back post. Soberingly it was three-two. There was clearly still a game to be played!
With ten minutes to go in the half Tom Anns, who had kept their lively right winger in check, earned himself a yellow card for playing the ball above shoulder height. A contributing factor to the infamy which was to follow that day for Tom... Fortunately, South were able to stand firm during the minutes of reduced headcount and the umpire’s whistle sounded out soon enough to put an end to the first period.
Half time and three-two to South.
The second period continued in similar vein to that which ended the first. Below par too-ing and fro-ing from both sides begot an indulgent and relaxed feel. Precious time drifted by and South’s keeper, Shahbaz Ali, was gladly not seeing too much of the ball. The visitors’ midfield and defence were incinerating Bourne’s meteor showers in the upper atmosphere. Andy Passmore looked like he was Andy Impassable and sweeper Dave Monck was reading the attacks and distributing the ball well. The one or two fires which did break through were mostly stamped on at source. But Bourne didn’t read the script and unceremoniously scored again to unnerve their opponents. This time a well-taken penalty corner saw the ball planted in South’s net and the score unjustly standing at three a piece. Yikes!
Still there was plenty of time for South to earn all three points in a game in which they felt they always had the upper hand. On fifty-five minutes, having picked the ball up from just over the centre line, Rich Claes coolly dribbled through half a dozen players before calmly passing the ball into the bottom corner. Yes! This piece of individual skill went some of the way towards his Man of the Match award. It looked to be the winning goal and Bourne’s heads dipped in resignation.
Ten minutes to go and South now had their belief back. Ian and Ron were pushing aggressively forward, squeezing the game into one half and enabling those in front to turn up the heat on the Bourne goal. Still the game wasn’t comfortable until South saw daylight once more. Rob wrapped up scoring five minutes from time reacting quickly after efforts from Tim Clapp and Alex were parried by the home ‘keeper. A poacher’s finish.
There was just time for a Bourne player to be shown a yellow card for repeated dangerous tackling before the final whistle drew the curtain on an entertaining game.
Full time and five-three. South just about escaped with all three points.
Man of the Match went to Rich for another solid and energetic performance. His stunning finish glistening as the cherry on top. Votes for Lemon of the Match were neck and neck between Tom and Bhav before eventually going to Tom. It wasn’t for the yellow card incident, nor was it for the obvious vote fixing attempt (all those in the early departing car voting for Bhav!), but it was actually the pre-match pitch-side tinkle that swung it. Afterwards, one of the umpires was quoted as saying: "Peeing in the corner does it", and who are we to argue with the umpires?! Bhav take note! Incidentally both umpires controlled the game well.
An enjoyable game for all involved, played in fantastic spirit despite the appearance of two yellow cards. South demonstrated in patches that they are capable of neat, fast flowing attacking hockey and committed tackling. However, they must be under no illusion that next week’s visit of top-of-the-table Peterborough will provide a far stiffer challenge.
After the game, captain Ron Oren was heard saying: “We hebben echt gegraven onszelf uit van een gaatje vandaag. Laten we hopen dat het niet het gat in de hoek waar Tom geplast!”.
Team played: Shahbaz Ali, Ron Oren, Tom Anns, Ian Glover, Andy Passmore, Dave Monck, Tim Clapp, Tristen Knight, Richard Claes, Bhavdeep Virdi, Rob Barton, Alex Stafford
Cambridge South Men's III 5 - 1 Cambridge Nomads III
H/T: 1 - 0
Scorers: Mariano Rosenzvaig, Wilco Dijkstra, Rupert Espley, John Greaves (2)
MoM: Chris Collinson (Confident and secure performance, coming out of his goal and kicking out effectively.), Jonny Deacon (Great distribution going forward, hard tackling breaking up opposition moves.)
A decisive victory against local rivals was required to invigorate the thirds for the run in. And that is precisely what we got.
The first half was quite even with the only goal coming from a CSouth short corner routine that actually worked; Greaves to P.South and back to Greaves lurking by the near post to force the ball through the defenders on the line. This gave the away side the confidence to make some fine attacking moves, with Jonny Deacon, Richard Marley and Dom Nelson orchestrating things from central midfield and wings Wilco Dijkstra and Rupert Espley providing width and options.
The match hinged around a 10 minute period in the second half, during which CSouth bagged a further 3 goals. Rupert Espley dribbled in from the corner and spotted the opportunity to shoot from a tight angle. The ball ricochetted off a couple of defenders before finding the net, escorted by sniffer Greaves, who helped it on its way to the back board. This was swiftly followed by Greaves grabbing his second goal with a neat deflection wrongfooting the keeper from the penalty spot off a Deacon shot, and then a terrific back stick thumper from Wilco Dijkstra, who controlled and shot calmly from range.
Mariano Rosenwaiz topped his excellent overall display with a forceful dribble and unstoppable shot from 2 feet out to get CSouth's fifth and final goal. This didn't stop us looking for more and Paul South, and John Greaves were both unlucky not to add to the tally. Nomads got a consolation, taking advantage of a foot-off-the-gas moment, but partly due to another fine display of goal keeping from Chris Collinson, didn't get a sniff of any more goals throughout. Once again the CSouth defence (BenedikzSouthEvansRosenwaiz) were solid in open play. Nomads didn't play badly, and probably had the 3 most skilful players om the pitch, but the great team work, energy and confidence of CSouth didn't give them much hope.
The match ended controversially with a final CSouth shot, approaching the top corner of the net, being met with a defenders head, causing much dizziness, and blood. The defender, swathed in bandages, was OK; after the game as a whole the CSouth team were more than OK. A welcome 3 points.
Match Tea at the Crown in Surfleet afterwards, and the XB bitter to wash it down, were brilliant.
Team played: Chris Collinson, John Benedikz, Richard Marley, Ian Evans, Dom Nelson, Mariano Rosenzvaig, Jonny Deacon, Wilco Dijkstra, Paul South, Tom South, Rupert Espley, John Greaves
Cambridge South Men's IV 7 - 3 Rutland IV
H/T: 3 - 1
Scorers: James Bridge, Boris Lossy (2), James Raikes (4)
MoM: James Raikes (For scoring four goals.)
Despite the score line, it was Rutland that played possibly the better hockey and had more possession.
Rutland started the game from the push back by doing a rugby style punt deep into the right corner. From then on Rutland was all over South for the next
7 to 8 minutes and we hardly had a touch of the ball. As South countered, James Raikes was left in acres of space to pick his spot and made it 1:0.
Rutland continued to attack and yet another counter made it 2:0. A sublime pass from Rich Morgan found Boris on the right found all by himself to slot it in. James then made it 3:0 and just when it looked like the young Rutland team would drop their heads, but they scored a goal and made it 3:1 and Rutland ended the first half full of energy once more. The lop-sided score owed in no small part to Steve Parker
The second half was more even, but Rutland kept attacking and leaving their defence open. James Bridge scored to make it 4:1 and Rutland then got one back to make it 4:2. It went to 5:2 with James Raikes getting his hat trick, he actually did score a third earlier but held his hand up to indicate that the ball did come off his leg. Boris scored a stylish 6th goal by flick his stick at a strong pass to steer it pass the keeper.
Rutland actually won a penalty after a short corner was stopped on the line by Ky Ho's foot. The Rutland captain put the flick wide. James Raikes got one more with Rutland never giving up to make it 7-3
It was an enjoyable game played in good spirit.
Team played: Steve Parker, Jim Thorpe, Rich Morgan, Owen Vaughan, David Bridge, Ky Ho, John Sharp, James Bridge, Shahzad Ali, Boris Lossy, James Raikes
