I feel a bit like those performing monkeys who had to follow The Beatles. Excellent match report last week but it was of a loss – this week we get to write about a victory!

CSHC M2s finally got their season up and running with a 5-3 home victory against one of last season’s 3NW sides, St Neots 2s. However, it cost us a bit of claret, with Ali taking a wayward clearance to the face and leaking Engine Oil over the pitch. Luckily, Mrs Engine was on hand to provide comfort and a ride to A&E.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges, keeping the ball well and moving it around in some nice build up play – but like previous weeks the end product was lacking and the visiting keeper wasn’t really challenged.

On the break, St Neots took the lead when an overloaded counterattack allowed some space for a vicious shot to fly past George (his tie dye t-shirt fashion crime wasn’t noted in post-game Lemon voting).

CSHC responded swiftly and it came from a buzzing run from the Ambassador down the left, into the D, and a cross/layoff/shot that pinballed around everyone, past the keeper and rolled into the far side of the goal. The momentum was with the home side and the lead was taken not too long later, as Jon linked up with Chalky and Matty A to get the ball to Nev in the D – with the stylish veteran popping the ball in. It was about this time of the game where Ali decided to call it quits, head butt the ball, pick up his kit and go home. And just about earning himself LoM ahead of Coops, which on reflection is quite harsh on a chap who had six stiches in his head.

Anyways, back to the action and on the pitch St Neots held on until half time with CSHC holding the advantage and making the chances.

However, such is our ability in the league this season, going into the second half we managed to squander the lead and let the visitors right back into it. They equalised again with a goal on the break, a straight strike down the middle, then took the lead with what was a quality lobbed finish at the breakdown of a short corner, which beat the joint effort of Anns and Coops, both backpedalling to clear.

Did we have it in us to get back into the match? There was time on the clock and chalk on the lines: Harry Chalk, to be exact. Ol’ Dusty, promoted back to the 2s, was a machine up and down the pitch throughout and after being released down the right by The Hipster, powered into the D and unleashed an unstoppable effort straight through the keeper. There was a tremendous roar from the side of the pitch and the fan base, being bolstered by returning M1s, was getting right behind the home side.

The lead was inevitable, the pressure applied to the St Neots goal being constant, and the midfield men worked together to get it. Jon’s clean strike from the top of the D was skilfully deflected in by Walshy.

There was enough time for another goal, and I will admit I thought it could go to them – however, all nerves were settled when top scorer Capt. Coops (yes, top scorer!) nailed in an expertly worked short corner routine, straight off the training ground (yes, a trained short corner!)

The Big W – time for Beers and Pizza.