Men's 1sts beat local rivals Cambridge City 4

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.

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Steve Parker
Player of the Match

Great saves, didn't make a single run upfield to join the attack

George Wych
Lemon of the Match

Ironically for a potentially game-saving interception