Reports 5th November 2011

Men's 1sts beat local rivals Cambridge City 4

Ladies' 1sts win a close encounter with Rutland Ladies 1

Ladies' 2nds beat local rivals Cambridge City Ladies 4

Cambridge South Men's I 4 - 3 Cambridge City IV

H/T: 1 - 3

Scorers: Richard Claes, Jack Chalk, Graham McCulloch, Russell Johnson
MoM: Steve Parker (Great saves, didn't make a single run upfield to join the attack)
LoM: George Wych (Ironically for a potentially game-saving interception)

The problem with defenders scoring goals is that pretty soon they all want a piece of the action. And as we all know, that just unsettles the natural order of things. And the natural order of things this season centres around South 1s winning. So with South missing a couple of key defenders this week (and Bristowe...), perhaps a crucial derby match against the ever-amicable City boys was not the best time to try out our new ambitious 1-6-3 formation.

Its hard to explain our reckless start to the match. Personally I think it had something to do with the widespread shock caused by Readman's unprecedented appearance at the pitch a whole 30 minutes before the push-back. Whatever the reasons, South found themselves immediately on the back foot, regularly scampering back as wave after wave of City attacks rattled everyone. And then City scored. Against the meanest defence in the league! This wasn't in the script. Something must be done. Unfortunately, 'something' turned out to be conceeding another goal. 2-0 down in the first 15 minutes and South were clearly shaken. It was all rather reminiscent of England vs Germany in the last World Cup. Meanwhile City were running rampant, audaciously throwing aerials down the lines at every opportunity and getting in behind our defence.

But there were glimmers of hope. Hawkes and Claes were combining well on the left and Watson and Johnson (R) on the right. Not to be left out, Aston appeared to make several commendable attempts to combine with Howell, despite Howell being a sub, standing on the sidelines at the time. But going forward, the team were gelling well and controlling passages of play.

Ironically, it was a defender (Johson (F)) joining in the attack that brought about South's first goal. A fizzing diagonal ball into the D was met by the lively Claes, who got the deftest of touches to beat the keeper and reassure South that they were still in the game.

The defence were still pouring forward, much to Readman's alarm. After a quick tactical change-up at the back, Wych found himself in the unfamiliar territory of the right-back's position as South tried to tame City's troublesome winger. No sooner had he settled than he put in a brilliant interception to prevent what surely would have been another City goal. At least, that's how he described it. Others have suggested it was the most blatant high-stick stop in living memory. Needless to say, the yellow card came out and South were down to 10 men.

A well-taken strike from a City short-corner piled even more problems on South. The whistle blew for half-time with South looking a bit shell-shocked. 'Glum' is the word that best summed up most people's expressions as the team gathered to plan a way out. The captain, ever the optimist (haha - banter) urged a spirited comeback and asked for 4 goals in the second half. All of a sudden, South started playing the assured hockey we know we can, bossing the midfield and making it difficult for any City player on the ball.

The forwards were linking well and when a ball was slipped right to McCulloch in the D, he didn't need a second invitation, lashing the ball into the far corner. 3-2 and it had just got tasty! As South's spirits rose, City (yes - you know what's coming) started to unravel. Another swift attack up the right saw McCulloch beat his man, draw another defender and square the ball to Johnson (R) who took the ball in his stride (as he had all game) and calmly slotted it past the onrushing keeper to level the score at 3-3. Time was running out for South as they searched for another goal. City were feeling the pressure too and astonishingly managed to turn an attacking free hit in South's 22 into a reversed decision and a yellow card for one of their players.

Seizing the initiative, South moved the ball wide and up the left to Watson who used some fancy stick-work (precocious teenagers, eh?) to beat most of the defence on his way to the byline before pulling it back for Chalk to flick it past the keeper and send the watching crowds into a frenzy of jubilation. Or something like that. A few minutes later the final whistle blew, confirming South's gritty come-back. Ahhh - its almost more satisfying to win a derby when you first let the opposition convince themselves they're going to pull off an upset and then you (pardon the expression) urinate on their fire and steal the points right at the end. Thanks to all the team for a determined team performance in the second half and to the spectators who braved the cold to watch.

Team played: Steve Parker, George Wych, Dave Aston, Matt Readman, Richard Claes, Jack Chalk, Mark Williams, Tom Watson, Tom Howell, Finn Johnson, John Hawkes, Graham McCulloch, Russell Johnson

Cambridge South Men's II 2 - 6 Bourne Deeping I

H/T: 0 - 2

Scorers: Alasdair Edge (2)
MoM: Alasdair Edge (Two goals and good running)
LoM: Rob Barton (Arrived late even though he lives a mere 5 minutes away)

An embattled Cambridge South 2s played host to top-of-the-league Bourne Deeping, who are yet to drop points. Aware that this would be a hard game, South turned up early to get proper warm-up, while the opposition confused everyone by playing rugby alongside us. Empirical evidence, however, suggests that the home side won the preparation war: although Bourne Deeping had most of both ball and territory in the first half, they found it all but impossible to penetrate the home D and create some chances, let alone really trouble ‘keeper Shahbaz.

Showing their mettle, though, the visitors kept their heads cool and chipped away at the home defence. Eventually - and somewhat inevitably - they did get through, quite possibly with a reverse stick hit. Adding insult to injury, it took little more than minutes for a second goal to fall, giving Bourne Deeping a more comfortable two-goal lead. Home fears that we’d broken the seal proved unfounded and the half finished in the same vein as it began.

South came out in the second, determined to keep the score line down and start working their way forward. Unfortunately, nobody had informed Bourne Deeping of this and they insisted on playing their own game and getting a third goal in. At 3-0 up, the visitors may have thought the game was safe and slowed down; South, however, begged to differ and went into the attack. A beautiful pass through the defence saw Ali Edge alone in the Bourne D. Disdaining the traditional route of controlling the ball, Ali simply jabbed it past the strangely wide-footed goalie to score our first goal in four games. Just to show this wasn’t a complete freak occurrence, Ali bagged himself another goal within minutes, when South’s first (and last) short was expertly fluffed by both sides, leaving the ball exposed (and quickly dispatched of) at the far post.

At 2-3 down, all of sudden South seemed back in the game. But then Lady Luck decided to switch sides: a high ball in the South D was worked into the goal with an overarm smash that Andy Murray would be proud of. Dissent from three playing umpires notwithstanding, the two with whistles decided there was nothing wrong with this blatantly illegal goal and let it stand. After the game, the rulebook confirmed that complaints were well-founded, but the damage was already done, a cushion for the visitors reinstated and our momentum checked.

So did that break South’s spirit? Did it hell! Before Bourne Deeping had finished marvelling at their slice of luck, the home side presented itself in the opposition D again. A well-worked long corner saw Dom Nelson cunningly aim to hit the far post, yet deliver the ball to the near one, where Ali Edge was yet again on station to deflect the ball. Mindful of Dom’s original plan, Ali put the ball half an inch outside the far post, with Ally Ward glumly realising a headlong dive would’ve secured the goal.

This proved to be the last fluttering of South’s comeback. Soon, Bourne Deeping reinstated the three-goal lead, when their attacker snuck behind Ron Oren’s back to deflect a cross past an understandably powerless Shahbaz. In the dying moments of the match, the visitors got a sixth goal in some fashion or other; but it was all academic by then.

Reflecting on the game, South felt suitably proud of themselves. Belying the gap in league positions, they gave Bourne Deeping as good as they got, rattling and almost overturning the visitors. Notwithstanding the controversial goal, Bourne Deeping probably deserved to win, but South showed their capacity to play way above their present, lowly state in the league. With a few softer games coming up, it’s essential to keep this form and fighting spirit up and start putting some points on the board.

Team played: Shahbaz Ali, Rich Morgan, Tom Anns, Andy Passmore, Dom Nelson, Ron Oren, Paresh Parsot, Colin Troll, Phil Crowhurst, Nick Venner, Alasdair Edge, Ali Ward, Rob Barton

Cambridge South Men's IV 1 - 4 St Neots IV

H/T: 0 - 2

Scorers: Rupert Espley
MoM: Chris Collinson (For an excellent display), Owen Vaughan (For getting the keys to the pitch )

Awaiting Report

Team played: Shahbaz Ali, Chris Collinson, Shahzad Ali, Ky Ho, Dave Monck, Owen Vaughan, Ian Evans, James Siddorn, Andrew Fraser, Nathan Monck, Boris Lossy, Simon Frampton, Rupert Espley

Cambridge South Ladies' I 3 - 2 Rutland Ladies I

H/T: 1 - 1

Scorers: Georgie Hurford, Alice Hug, Bex Baker
MoM: Georgie Hurford

After a succession of losses, Cambs South ladies arrived at the Uni pitch with a renewed sense of determination to boost their league table standing.

Initial pandemonium with players playing for the wrong team and turning up to the wrong pitches, led on to South collecting themselves for a strong start following a rousing team talk from Captain Ellie. Possession was predominately ours for all of the first 15 minutes, with some excellent passing around the midfield and some shots in the D. However, Rutland began to fight back and after 20 minutes were awarded a short corner. Unfortunately the straight strike resulted in a deflection off a South defender past Loopy’s pads.

Despite this initial set back, with encouragement from our much appreciated supporters of HABs (husbands and boyfriends) and some of the men’s 1s, South showed real determination and immediately went on the counter attack. Demonstrating her dribbling skills, Bex took the ball past a number of Rutland players and slipped the ball to Georgie who then nudged the ball on to Alice at the top of the D. The ball was struck with an almighty thwack and flew into the goal through the keepers legs.

Feeling confident, the second half began positively for South with more possession and some great runs/passing up the left by Birgit and Serin in to the opposition D. This ultimately resulted in South gaining a short corner, which after receiving the ball on her strong side from Bex’s push out, Georgie hit straight in to the right hand corner of the goal. Rutland then proceeded to have several breaks which were effectively mopped up by Lindsey, Ellie, Julie and Lou. The new ‘V’ defending formation was put in to play and worked well (thanks David). It was only upon the award of another short corner for Rutland that they were able to equalise, despite the excellent first save by Loopy of the straight strike.

By this point, it was clear that the Southern girls were not going to let their hard work end in a draw. They surged forward again with another break and won a final short corner. After some slightly chaotic and nail biting scrabbling around the goal, Bex pushed the ball over the line for a very well deserved third goal for South.

Despite another last ditch attempt by Rutland to score off a short in the last few minutes of the game, South were able to hold on to their league and were thrilled when the final whistle blew! A great result for a tough game against very able opposition. Hopefully South can take confidence from the improved team work on display and give Peterborough a run for their money next Saturday!

Team played: Louise Tonkin, Ellie Raffan, Lindsey Berends, Julie Sadler, Lou Cantwell, Birgit Bekkers, Georgie Hurford, Anne Horan, Serin Dabb, Alice Hug, Bex Baker

Cambridge South Ladies' II 2 - 1 Cambridge City Ladies IV

H/T: 2 - 0

Scorers: Ami Chaplin (2)
MoM: Kylie Beasley

Yesterday saw an early start for the Ladies 2s pushing back at 9:30am against City. An exchange of e-mails had started earlier in the week with City kindly informing us that because they had a plethora of players to choose from, some of their players had regularly been playing for their 3s - two leagues above. That makes this result even sweeter!

Fireworks could be heard off the pitch as the game started and we raced out of the blocks with great interlinking between midfield and the forwards with every attack looking dangerous. Kylie Beasley was fantastic in the centre of midfield and a good break and strike led to a rebound shot being put away by Ami Chaplin. 1-0 South. City came back and some stirling defence from Anne Horan at Centre back and Vicki Lavis at Sweeper kept City at bay. Then another break and the noise of the ball hitting the backboard at the far end richoched around the ground but oh no - the umpire had already blown for a short corner. D’oh. So short taken and a narrow miss from Liz Harte taking the strike. City came back down the pitch and Ali G in goal made some great saves from some powerful hits. Then back up the other end with a good run by Ash Price and another tap in for Ami - 2-0 South. Half time and relax.

City came flying out of the blocks in the second half and kept pressurising our goal. Our defence though were up to the task and repelled the city attacks until finally a powerful strike slipped through our defence and into the goal. 2-1. The tension mounted further and city were pushing forward making some good breaks and interlinking well but we stood up to the task and managed to get a great result. Well done everyone!

Team played: Ali Graham, Lyn Wood, Louise Gutteridge, Pip Noon, Laura Jarvis, Ami Chaplin, Vicky Lavis, Anne Horan, Catherine Anthony, Kylie Beasley, Liz Harte, Leonie O'Donnell, Ash Price