The second match of the re-imagined Cambridge Indoor Hockey Premiership looked like it could be difficult. The fact that, due to injury and illness, only seven players from the indoor squad could play made the task ahead of the South team tough. The fact that two of these players were ill and not 100% can only add to the excuses.

The team responded well to the fact that out of the seven players, only six had managed to be present for the anthems and push-back. After pleading player poverty with the umpires, the "extra" five minutes gifted to South could not furnish them with the supporting cast of Dan Loy. So we set about our task resolute in the fact that we would not be beaten! The stand-in captain also remarked that he, "Didn't mind losing but hated getting thrashed!" Oh how those inspirational charms hurt him whilst writing this report!.

It was quite unexpected that South dominated the opening exchanges. The break forwards brought the best out of an experienced Perse goalie, and saves thwarted Chris Pearson and Oliver Lamming from good positions and Jason James also roared a low fizzer narrowly past the upright. The upset was on!

Against the run of play South conceded a soft goal, George making the initial save only to richochet back to the attacker off a South leg in front of goal. This could have knocked the stuffing out of most teams, but South's Indoor lot took it on the chin as Chris Pearson masterfully rounded the goalie to slot home for parity in the scoring. Some fortunate short corners were then conceded which put the pressure back on South. These were fended off well by George Toynton in goal but he was unable to do anything but parry the ball to a sneaky forward from a yard out to tap in for the lead.

This is where the momentum changer happened and it did knock the proverbial out of South's plucky resistance. Chris Pearson won a stroke for a foot on the line. He was determined to take it so the skipper let the form forward convert the chance. The flick was put wide and Dan Loy turned up to finally give the tired legs of the team a rest. Almost straight afterwards, a sensational drag-flick from a Perse corner made it 3-1. Half-time was needed and came seconds afterwards.

The second Half was a disaster. We had conceded a further three goals in the opening five minutes. To refer to the defending as "schoolboy" adds further insult to the injury!

Mike Karran was the thorn in the Perse side and was able to win a couple of short corners, which were well saved from Nev Warren. Although the haemorrhaging had stopped, South still bled another few goals in a half that contained some harsh calls from the officials. The very tired legs were still moving, just.

Hopefully we can have a full compliment available for the Cambridge City game next week and give ourselves a better chance from the outset!