Cambridge South kicked off the new season with a home tie against one of the league new boys, City of Peterborough Fifths. It didn't take long for the home side to get into their stride, with 4 goals without reply in the first 20 minutes. Peterborough pulled one back, before Cambridge notched a 5th to effectively finish the game off before half-time. To their credit, Peterborough never gave up and kept the pressure on in the second half but were unable to fashion any clear-cut chances. The home side, in contrast, were dangerous on the break and added 3 more before the final whistle. Goals came from James Cobbe (4), Mark Pears (2), Chris Baker and Keith Hewitt.

In the first league encounter of the new season Cambridge South were pitched against the unknown quantity of Peterborough 5ths. The home side were in confident mood, though, playing at Fortress Leys and on the back of 4 wins in a row in their pre-season friendlies. They were also bolstered by the return of Snetler - freshly recovered from a toe injury - and Johnson. The latter was back after picking up an ankle injury in the 1-0 win over Royston.

And on another pleasant day in Cambridge it didn't take long for the home side to start scoring. I didn't have my watch on me, but when Snetler came on after 10 minutes I'm sure we were at least 2 goals to the good. The first came from a short corner. Keith took the straight strike option and with great skill popped it in the bottom left corner. By 'great skill' I mean 'topped it', but they all count, right? You can't argue with the stats. The second came from another short corner - this time a slip left to Baker and after the first shot was saved the second was judged to have been illegally stopped by the Peterborough defence on the line. A flick was given and Baker duly dispatched it with clinical precision in the top left corner. Third time lucky, I guess.

Johnson was showing no signs of his enforced break from hockey, frequently posing a threat on the right wing. After 15 minutes he was released by Baker and as the last defender closed him down he slipped it across to Mark for South's 3rd goal of the game. More reward was to be gained down the home-side's right with the fourth goal - this time Garrett outstripping the defender and driving in along the back-line before slipping it to Cobbe for a tidy finish at the back post.

It was at some point around here that Peterborough managed to get a goal back. A quickly taken free hit into the D was touched on by the striker and sneaked in at the near post. Disappointing for the home side, but they were quickly back up the other end and putting the ball back where it belonged. This time Mark profited and was able to score his second of the game. I can't remember exactly how it happened, but it probably involved Keith, Lukas and/or Baker at some point. And maybe Russ too. And James. I don't know - they were all playing well - it could have been any of them, frankly. Or all of them.

Anyway, that was half-time. And I _can_ remember the second half goals. Or more to the point, James can remember them all and he was gracious enough to go over them with me after the game so that I could get it down correctly in the match report. He's so kind. The 6th (his 2nd) was a quick break from that man Russ again and a square pass for an easy finish. The 7th (his 3rd) came from Lukas 'reverse stick' Snetler trying the audacious in the D and only accomplishing a pile of bodies as he and defender came together in a manner not normally seen on the hockey pitch. James has eyes only for one thing, though. The ball. And the goal. Wait - that's 2. Anyway, the 8th came when Garrett managed to get hold of the ball in the D and just as he was moving past defenders, waiting for the right moment to show Lukas how it's done on the reverse stick, James - ever the gentleman - solved the problem by burying it in the far corner.

To their credit, Peterborough never game up and were particularly difficult to play against in the second half. By compressing the game and tackling in numbers they forced South onto the back foot. A changed South back-line was able to keep them at arms length, though. Graveling was pressed into service at right-back and Eliot was in at left-back for the second time this season. The change didn't remove Graveling's no-nonsense hard-tackling, and with Eliot looking more and more assured at left-back with each game he plays there, Peterborough struggled to create much despite the pressure. Regulars Jim and Matt were solid in the centre, supporting the attack when we were able to get the ball out.

Next week's game against Market Deeping should provide a sterner test for Cambridge, but this was an excellent way to start the new campaign.

"It was a solid all round display today. We coped well with the pressure Peterborough put us under in the second half and were clinical in the final third. I think everyone can be pleased with their performance" said captain Rob Garrett