Men's 3rds lose to March Town 4

Cambridge South's poor home form continued as they slipped to their second home defeat of the season against a team that they were more than capable of beating, leaving them with just four points from four home games.

The game started badly for South with a goal being conceded in the first five minutes. An uncoordinated starting pass was seized on by March who eventually forced South into conceding a penalty corner. The well-rehearsed manoeuvre resulted in a shot being slotted under on-rushing keeper Will Benedikz into the centre of the goal for the worst possible start.

After this initial set back South became much more solid at the back as people adjusted to their positions. The backline of Chris Clegg, Ky Ho and Andrew Pounce, covered by John Benedikz at sweeper, stood firm for the rest of the half and also had Will Benedikz to thank for several important saves.

Whilst the team was under siege for most of the half, the few counterattacks made by the South midfield were always dangerous. They swept forward strongly and forced several short corners. Finally Cambridge's opening goal came with about five minutes of the half left. A Nick Wong led counterattack moved swiftly down the right wing before cutting in and taking a shot on goal. The original shot was saved but the keeper was last to react and Rory Johnson poked the ball over the goal line.

The half finished with a little additional drama; having received a green card from the semi-over-zealous March umpire Nick Wong was extremely unfortunate to be yellow carded for over appealling, the decision coming as something of a shock to the South team.

South started the second half in the same way as they had begun the first. They suffered a lack of direction and ingenuity, which allowed March to establish constant pressure and ultimately led to their second goal from a short corner part way through the half. The visitors scored a third later courtesy of a poor goalkeeping judgement that prevented the sweeper clearing and allowed a simple tap in for March.

After the hour mark it was all change for South. March Town showed why they were so low in the league as South woke up and played some very positive attacking hockey. Flowing moves down the right involving James Bridge, Will Marston and the returning Nick Wong, created several openings. Not to be outshone on the left flank David Bridge and Finn Johnson combined effectively to further the pressure on the March defence. The pressure began to tell as the visitors defended desperately and gave away a string of free hits on the edge of their circle. The first of these went narrowly wide of a post as the ever-present Wilco Dijkstra could not quite reach to tip it in. The second caught March napping as they backed off leaving James Bridge, unmarked on top of their D, to receive a simple pass and strike it into the bottom corner.

The second goal really lifted South and they threatened to force an equaliser as March wilted. Unfortunately time was against them and the final whistle went. Although South could justifiably feel harshly dealt with over a number of incidents the next step in building the team is to rally round each other in such circumstances, rise above the frustrations and run the game with a demonstration of the kind of quality hockey we are more than capable of playing.

South have four more games until Christmas against teams that they can, should and must beat, if attaining a top top finish is to remain a believable goal. Both St Neots 5ths and St Ives 5ths looked vulnerable as South beat them in the first round of games. Peterborough Town 5ths are unpredictable but generally weak and must be beaten. The most important game is the visit of Spalding 3rds who should not be fooled into relishing the trip south.

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