Men's 2nds draw against City of Peterborough 5

The men's 2s have been playing excellently in 2013, yet find themselves facing a very close battle for survival, with 7 teams within 7 points of one another and 4 games to play. This game against Peterborough was an important one in the road for survival, and both teams turned out strong squads for the game.

The team was without its illustrious captain Ron for this one, he didn't even make it to the ground to shout at us from the side line. He suffered an injured thumb from last game and opted for umpiring the 1st's game.

Having beaten Peterborough 3-1 away earlier in the season South were confident, however their opponents turned up with some additional quality to the team they fielded in the previous game. The first 15 minutes was a very good spell despite the strong team South faced, where some good passing and fast attacks brought some excellent chances. Russ Johnson had the pick of the bunch but was unlucky. We also had a string of shorts where Tom Howell (playing his penultimate game for South) was on form with his hitting, but the keeper was solid and blocked all efforts.

For the last part of the first half south were put under pressure and Peterborough won a few shorts themselves, but did not convert any. Dom Nelson was putting up another solid defensive display along with Olly Culley, Tom Anns and Rich Morgan and a Peterborough goal looked unlikely.

The second half was quick paced and there were break away chances at both ends. Tom Howell managed his 'once a game' lob pass that he almost launched out of the ground, but it failed to clear the fence. Dom had Peterborough's best shot of the game, almost beating Shabaz, but all it did was make Shabaz look awesome and earn him man of the match for the save.

South were first to score, it came from a short corner half way through the 2nd half, following a previous short where Tom H powered the ball into the keepers thigh, missing his pads and winding him. Maybe this put him off for the following short, which he stopped but didn't clear and Ian Small pushed in following a goal mouth scramble.

Unfortunately South only held their lead for a few minutes before conceding a short which Tom Anns saved on the line, if only he saved it with his stick instead of his foot! Peterborough slotted home the resulting penalty flick.

Nick Venner and Ian small had a couple of good chances before the final whistle, but a draw was probably the right result in a good natured hard fought match.

The 2s have a huge game next week against an in-form St Neots team, then have Alford and Ely the week after, so 3 must win games to stay in the league.

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Shahbaz Ali
Player of the Match

For some great saves, the best from his own sweeper's shot who tried his best to beat his mighty and consistent abilities

Tom Howell
Lemon of the Match

His stray lob pass almost made it out the ground, but unlike his first attempt a few weeks ago it failed to clear the fence. Good distance but the accuracy was lacking a little