Recent successes meant that Cambridge South were confident against league high flyers Alford 2, who had inflicted a heavy defeat on us earlier in the season. The reshaped South team started well and dominated the early exchanges. Sadly this did not translate into goals, and Alford gradually got the upper hand.

James Pope and Gareth Hebbron particularly tried to create attacks, but they and skipper John Greaves only succeeded in getting injured to leg, hand and knee respectively. Greaves's theatrical response was easily the most spectacular. His knee was left with an imprint of the dimples on the ball.

There were few chances in the first half, but the game opened up after half time.

Two goals were disallowed, one for Alford as the ball was deemed to have been too high, and one for South's lively newcomer Simon Ta. After a tactical switch at the interval, Simon was a regular threat and was unlucky for his dribble and shot to be called back for a marginal contact with the bottom of his stick.

Alford were restricted to few shots as the away defence forced errors before the ball got into the danger area, and those they got were dealt with confidently by keeper Andy Bleach. They did have a number of short corners skilfully won by hits onto feet, and from one of these, they scored the winning goal. The initial shot was saved but it rebounded to an attacker who accepted the chance coolly.

South came back well after this, with Rob Barton and James Pope driving forward constantly, but were unable to grab an equaliser.

A long journey for no result, but South again demonstrated that they can compete with any team in 5NW. Greater composure in the final third of the pitch, and better positioning and therefore more attacking options are the main things needed to get more of the results the solid defence and tigerish midfield deserve.