A key game in South 3rds promotion challenge, and one that so nearly didn’t happen. 9 members of the squad (all outfielders) had responded to the initial call-to-arms for the 200+ mile round-trip, but that number remained stubbornly stuck as the week progressed. Increasingly desperate appeals were not eliciting any more willing adventurers, and we were within 30 minutes of the committee’s deadline for forfeiting the game before Rasmus and Simon agreed to step up from the 4ths to help out. Thanks guys, we owe you one.

Simply to get a team together was an achievement, winning the game would be something else again; our two previous trips beyond the boundaries of Cambridge had resulted in defeat, and Louth (which is on the same latitude as Sheffield and the southern edge of Manchester, fact fans) is no ordinary away game. They are the leaders of Division 5NW and boasted a 100% home record with 21 scored, 2 conceded. Not the most obvious location to get the travelling form moving, then.

The first half saw Louth have the majority of territory and possession, swinging the ball around at the back, looking unsuccessfully for gaps in our defensive organisation. They also possessed some dynamic dribblers who were able to go past tacklers, but by working in small groups rather than as individuals we were slowing these players up and then turning possession over. By contrast, our first serious foray upfield saw us take the lead. It stemmed from a free-hit, centrally located just outside the 25. Matt declined the direct ball into a crowd, and instead went square to James out on the left flank. James played a low hard drag in to Rob, in the circle but wide of goal. Rob collected and caught the home ‘keeper out with an early reverse-stick sweep (what else?).

The next major development was an injury for Matt, who took a powerfully struck ball on the foot at close range. With only 11 players travelling, and Matt initially not able to put any weight through the appendage, things looked bleak. Everybody put their heads down to do the work of 1.1 men. After a few minutes on the sideline checking for broken bones and icing the developing bruise, Matt return to the fray to rejoin teammates who had mounted a successful rearguard in his absence, with Louth having only managed a couple of shots that looked potentially threatening but proved wayward. There was speculation after the game that this period actually helped the team, as it demonstrated the levels of effort and commitment we could achieve.

Having turned around with a narrow lead, the next goal was likely to set the pattern for the rest of the game. It wasn’t long into the second-half when we got it. Rasmus crossed from the right for Rob. As per, he went for a reverse-stick sweep, but for once didn’t connect quite right. The ball looped slowly towards the ‘keeper... and past him. After a brief pause whilst everyone processed the evidence from their eyes, the realisation dawned that we had lucked into a bit of a gap.

Our best spell came in the next few minutes. We had the most territory and possession of any stage of the game, maybe getting these metrics as high as 50/50. Such numbers are of little relevance in comparison to the scoreline, and it was nearly 3-0 when a goalmouth scramble saw Rob and Ali both denied by desperate last-ditch blocks. Disappointment was short lived, when a couple of minutes later Ali intercepted a ball near halfway, and set Simon free down the channel. Simon drew the ‘keeper and squared to give Rob an open goal. Converted, incredibly, with his front-stick.

By now, Louth were openly frustrated by how things were turning out. Their most talented player had taken to trying to dribble through us on his own, but weight of numbers repeatedly frustrated him, sometimes legally, others not so much. Our defence maintained its organisation, putting on its best showing of the season. For all Louth’s dominance of possession, they had failed to register a single (legal) shot on target so far in the match. That finally changed from a short corner in the dying minutes; the defence disrupted the routine, but not enough to turn the ball over. Mr Dribbly ad libbed space for a shot, which was kept out by an excellent save from stand-in ‘keeper Johnny B. However, he was unlucky that the rebound fell straight to another Louth player, who hammered home. No clean sheet, then. Pity.

Conferring with the umpire told us only 2.5 minutes remained, so it was hold what you have, as exemplified by Rob, who deliberately cracked the centre-pass upfield and off the pitch near the Louth byline, eating up a few precious seconds. Cynical, man, cynical. Louth did get the ball back to our end in the remaining time to earn a shortie, but didn’t force JB into further work. We had won! Our 6th victory from 9 games, coming from probably our most disciplined performance of the season so far. We are on 19 points, level with Louth and St. Ives 3rds at the top of the table, although currently in 3rd spot on goal difference. Hopefully this can be a springboard for the rest of the campaign.

Thanks to the two Louth Umpires, who had very good games