Mens 2nd XI Season 2008/09

Results

League fixtures are in black, Cup fixtures are in red, Friendlies are in Grey, Games not on Saturdays are in italics.

Click on the date hyperlinks to jump to Match Reports

Photo

Men's 2nd XI, 28th March 2009:
Back Row (L to R): Kevin Rowland, Dave Monck, Chris Graveling, Mark Pears, John Benedikz, Dave Aston
Middle Row (L to R): Rob Barton, George Wych, Neil Sneade, Mike Coffin, Nick Bristowe
Front Row: Lino di Lorenzo

Roster

Squad Profiles

Kevin Rowland (Captain) AKA: The Cardinal; The Guffer Position: Midfield/Forward Playboy, intellectual, bon viveur and all-round super-hero, Captain Kev epitomises the spirit and inner strength of South 2nds. For a man of his age, Kev shows a remarkable work rate in midfield - his Dutch girlfriend proving the old adage that you're as young as the woman you feel - whilst his reading of the game often gets him into scoring positions up front - but that's enough about the Dutch girlfriend. The heart of the team; nuff said. Most likely to say, "Our three secret weapons are passing, possession, movement and tackling." Least likely to say, "Rob, feel free to chip in at the half-time talk at any time."			George Wych (Vice-Captain) Position: Defender George is a quiet but commanding and skilled player at right back. He provides the structure, with his tackling and stealing skills, to re-create play from the back into mid-field. George is a master of well-timed tackles. These include the compulsory time-tabled Friday night tackling with Mrs Wych. These are straight, middle-of-the-road sessions, definitely not involving looking at skinny young men dressed in polka dot bikinis.
Lino Di Lorenzo AKA: The Cat; Bambi Position: Goalkeeper A superb shot stopper, who also commands his circle brilliantly, Lino forms an ever-reliable last line of defence for the 2nds. Added to technical skills is a commitment to playing that often sees Lino double up on Saturdays, alongside turning on Sunday's for the Mixed team. No wonder he is often falling apart with injuries come the end of the season. Most impressive was probably the weekend in which fifteen goals were conceded over three matches. Whilst picking up the Man-of-the-Match award twice... Oh, for a defence!			Nick Bristowe Position: Defender Fitness and stamina are just a few of the strings to Nick's bow, enabling him to close down any attacking players rapidly. His low and accurate tackle is quickly delivered and he is as quick to break away and release the play into the midfield. Nick is a new member of Cambridge South this year, another brick in the awesome defensive wall. Entitled to reduced match subs as he is currently saving for a haircut…
Dave Monck AKA: The Monckosaurus Position: Defender The pitch trembles with his mighty step and opposition's hearts sag as the Monckosaurus lumbers forward to take his position for the short corner. One big hit, a crack in the keeper's legs, a goal and he is back in his natural habitat: defence. Looming over the tiny man-markers, this living proof that hockey stems back to Jurassic times commands the defence, taking the ball away from any attacker foolish enough to step inside his massive reach. Bit of a shame he's falling apart at the seams: if it's not his back that's crocked, he steps on the ball to take out his own ankle, denying us - yet again - the safety of the Monckosaurus at our backs.			Ron Oren AKA: Chopper Position: Defender "Bites yer legs" Oren is the enforcer of the 2nds defence. With his ceaseless energy and ferocious sweep-shots, this flying Dutchman rampages up the left wing before dashing back to cover the opposition forwards like a rash. On the pitch Ron is always fully committed, despite our efforts to have him fully committed. His Souness-like hardman image is only spoiled slightly by the baby-blue-and-pink striped socks he favours wearing to training: the claim that everything else was in the wash isn't fooling anyone.
Neil Sneade Position: Defender Don't let his 4ft 8in fool anyone, his legs move like a whippet's, closing down attackers with precision tackles. Neil's versatility in the back four means he's always a safe bet wherever he plays, composed and sharp. The same can't be said of his shirts. Always a team player with high motivation toward achieving team goals; can be distracted on the pitch though when he thinks of how he'd like to see the skipper in a blonde curly wig and black lycra body suit. A defender with flair....and imagination.			Dave Aston AKA: Villa Position: Midfield/Forward Dave joined South this year and has quickly proven himself as a skillful and key member…… of the midfield unit. Bearing the advantage of youth, Dave's fitness and speed means he continually finds space to receive the ball and follows up with snappy intelligent passing. After just starting his first job after Uni, he hopes to soon follow this up with his first shave…
Tim Clapp Position: Midfield Since joining the 2nds squad, Tim has shown the club his midfield prowess with his strong driving style previously in the 1st XI squad. Tim is versatile and is as affective up the left as he up the right and has a good eye for reading the game. Perhaps a whip round to get his kids into boarding school will see him make more appearences on the astro?			Samin Ishtiaq Position: Midfield Like a silent assassin, this unassuming midfielder commands the right. With quick runs and snappy passes, capable of slipping through the tightest defences to find space and receive the ball only to selflessly supply forwards with pacey crosses for scoring opportunities. Cool as a cucumber, Samin rarely puts a foot wrong on or off the pitch.
Matt Kern AKA: Daddy Position: Midfield After a season of paternally-determined limited availability, Matt is hoping to make more regular appearances this year. His words of reassurance will live in infamy; “Once the baby is born I will be available to play more” WRONG!!			Al Sinclair AKA: Position: Midfield This Scot slices his way from midfield through any sassenach defence with the aplomb of Robert the Bruce. Though not regularly available to play on Saturdays, Al makes up for lost time with a great work rate and committment to his team. A man with an eye for strategy on the pitch, though his idea of playing in kilts was turned down after he attached mirrors to the toes of his astro boots.
Dave Stock AKA: Babyface Position: Midfield "My goal, Hurghhh" The energy of youth, wise beyond his years, a true reader of the game, quietly passionate and silky skills, are all comments Dave would love to hear us say about his hockey. But in reality chants of "My goal, my goal, my goal!" and "HURGH" express much more of one of South's emblematic players. Goal hungry and committed, you can expect to find Dave aiming towards the D from his commanding position as right mid.			Rob Barton AKA: River Dance Position: Forward The grizzled face of the CSHC 2nds strike force, albeit one with an affable grin. Patrolling the opposition 25 yard area like a lurking lone wolf, he has fooled many a defence when receiving the ball with his back to goal only to pounce with one of his trademark falling-reverse-stick-sweep-hits. As well as knocking in the goals for the 2nds he also shamelessly whores himself out to any club team who will have him (we think he'd even don a skirt for the Ladies if they'd let him) in his ceaseless attempts to add to his tally in the Goal Kings race. Off pitch, Rob organises the club's umpires: a true South stalwart.
Mark Pears AKA: Arsenal Position: Forward Signed up from a nearby hockey club, Mark has added another barrel to the shotgun that is the South attack. His 'quick draw' shots have been hitting the back of the net faster than the hooves of a lonely cowboy's sheep. A threat anywhere on the astro, he is positionally versatile and able to read the game quickly, getting into shape to shoot one off. Good all round team player and jolly good egg.			Simon Ta AKA: Simone Position: Forward Nippy, enthusiastic, happy to travel back from uni just to play, Simon has been known to play in a bikini! A goalsoring machine, one of the best to have in the D, from a close range anyway... He thinks he has played national league.