South’s mixed team gained revenge for a pre-Christmas two-nil defeat at Harlow with this narrow but deserved victory. Rupert and Gemma’s team plans were somewhat up and down, as players dropped out due to injuries or Saturday (or in the case of certain tough as nails centre backs, because they didn’t want to play in the rain!), with Simon and Hayley being drafted in at late notice to mean South had the thirteen needed for eleven players and two umpires. Hayley turned up to the game on her bike, puffed out, having already played in a college game that morning.

The game opened up with both teams sparring with each other, a pattern which was never really too far away all match. South were having more of the play and chances in the opening stanza, but neither goalkeeper was truly extended in this period. The midfield of Rob, Russ and Hayley were combining well, making much of Emma on the left wing in the opening fifteen minutes and then when that route was closed down, re-directing their play through Simon on the right.

As the half wore on, a goal seemed to be coming for South, especially when some neat interplay gave James C a shot on the turn, which the Harlow keeper did excellently to smother out for a long corner. However, this was a temporary reprieve, as Rob’s pace allowed him to pick up the ball in his own half, scoot round the entire away midfield and then defence, then slip the ball past the keeper for James C on the far post to bundle home.

Half time and a change of umpires brought some new positions. With Rupert now whistling, the defence seemed uncertain and it was Harlow keeping up the pressure and South playing on the break (the pitch must be sloping!). Pressure forced a goalmouth scramble; South defenders passed up a couple of opportunities to clear and eventually the ball found it’s way to the stick of Harlow’s strongest female player, who smartly rapped it home.

Having started the half slowly, South re-jigged again and succeeded in regaining their momentum. A winning goal was struck ten minutes from time as Rob and Russ combined in the middle, to allow Rob to drive a ball into the corner from the top of the circle. The main incident after that was Hayley, already bleeding from both knees, taking a full pelt lifted ball on her arm. After an initial yelp and a few seconds to regain her breath, she was back on with it, despite sporting a large bruise in all the colours of the rainbow. This tough gal act, alongside a skilful, dynamic performance, keeping running hard throughout in her second match of the day, makes her the clear player-of-the-match.

This was the first time since the mixed team has won two games on the bounce since it was re-formed. It also brought to a close a highly successful weekend for the club as a whole. Five wins from six games played, twenty scored, five conceded. The Ladies have finished in their highest league position for yonks, with the Men’s 1sts heading the same way. Things are looking to be on the up.