Cambridge South 2nds, sponsored by PwC, suffered a disappointing defeat at March Town 3rds on Saturday.

South began the game as the stronger side, and it was little surprise when they took the lead, Rob Barton running on to Russell Johnson’s through ball, drawing the ‘keeper and slipping home. March reacted strongly to this goal, and began to dominate territory and possession, exploiting disorganised marking in the away defence. An equaliser was forced when runners into the circle were not picked up, and a shot from distance found its way in past some defensive sticks. And the hosts were ahead when a player was left all alone in the circle, from where he turned the ball past South ‘keeper Lino Di Lorenzo at the second attempt.

South fought back towards the end of the half, with short corners being their main attacking weapon. Centre-back Dave Monck was centimetres wide with one powerful shot, which proved a useful sighter for a drive at the next short that rocketed into the corner, leaving the sides all-square at the interval. South’s short were causing March problems, and a routine early in the second period saw them edge ahead for the second time in the match. Monck this time passing up the direct shot to switch the ball left for Finn Johnson to sweep into the far corner. March did not lie down, and pulled level through a short of their own, finished with a neat flick over the prone Di Lorenzo.

The decisive goal came with 15 minutes remaining, when a South clearance was picked up on their 25 by the March captain. He drove to the byline, and pulled the ball back for his centre-forward to sweep into the far corner.