Cambridge South 2nds, sponsored by PwC, wrapped up South’s winter season with a narrow defeat in this re-arranged league match.

South and Bourne had passed all season like ships in the night; they were originally meant to be the first fixture faced, with an opening day game, but Bourne were suffering from early season teething availability troubles and had to forfeit. Then floodlight failure did for the return match in Lincolnshire in January, leaving the one and only meeting of the teams being played on the end of season slip date. As is often the way with such re-arranged matches, especially when no substantive issues are riding on them, the sides were mix-and-match affairs, with some squad members from higher and lower teams being called in to make up numbers. Despite (or possibly because of) this, the game would turn out to be probably the paciest and technically the highest quality of any your correspondent has played in throughout the 5NW season.

South began strongly, and fashioned an early chance when swift interplay from a free-hit saw the ball heading towards Samin Ishtiaq, unmarked by the far post. Unfortunately Samin couldn’t get his stick low enough to convert the chance. South continued to probe, also coming close through Mark Taylor and Kevin Rowland, who both flashed shots just wide of target at the end of good passing moves.

If South were controlling the majority of territory and possession, Bourne were looking to the pace and skill of their youngish forward line to create havoc in the South defence. Midway through the first half, a quick counter ended with the hosts taking the lead. The initial thrust into the circle had appeared to be dealt with when ‘keeper Jon Price kicked a loose ball clear. However, two South defenders, who were running back towards their own goal and unaware of each other’s presence, went to try and collect it and ended up tackling each other. The ball ran free for a Bourne forward, who slipped it under Jon as the South custodian flew off his line to try and rectify the situation.

The first fifteen minutes of the second period then saw the sides exchange four goals. Bourne made it 2-0 when they capitalised on the interception of a South defensive hit to work a player free in the circle. With Jon exposed, he comfortably found the corner of the net. South responded via a set-piece, Mark drilling a short corner into the far corner, with a good clean strike. Bourne again moved two ahead when a pass from deep in midfield found a runner going clean through. He advanced into the circle and again Jon had no chance with a good strike into his far corner. South responded quickly to bring the score to 2-3, Rob Garrett driving along the byline and finding Mark, whose initial shot was half-saved only for him to force home the rebound from essentially on the line.

Despite the lack of any relegation, promotion or championship issues to be settled by the game, the game was not without its relevance. South had begun the day a mere two points ahead of Bourne, so victory for hosts meant a switch of places. South had also started the match with hopes of a victory that would push them up a further place into 3rd, but with time now ebbing away this was now less of a pressing concern than the equaliser needed to retain 4th spot.

Bourne were clearly aware of all of this, because as time ran down they ceded more and more territory to South. Not necessarily the best strategy, as South created a number of chances. Rupert Webb reacted to a loose ball in the circle to stab it past the ‘keeper, only for the ball to drift wide. Mark drilled a short corner that was going just inside the post, until the post-man deflected it out for a long. A free-hit on the edge of the circle picked out Kev unmarked in what in basketball terminology is the high post; Kev’s first time sweep was also going just inside the post until the ‘keeper made a marvellous stretching save. Inside the final two minutes, a ball ran free to Samin, coming in from the right wing. His first time drive from close range was well-blocked by the ‘keeper, and when Samin’s attempt to flick home the rebound was again saved, South’s last chance had gone.

A disappointing result from the final game, as it meant South’s recent winning run had been curtailed at five. The game was also a final competitive match for the 2nds for a couple of players; Gareth Hebbron, who is moving to the USA, where hockey is a strange violent game played on ice, and Dave Stock who isn’t going quite as far as he is off to Uni. Another departing regular from this season is Colin Singleton, who has moved to Reading. We wish them all the best in their new locations.

Skipper Kev’s summation of the day and the season was “We were unlucky not to get the win against Bourne, we looked like the better team, created chances but just couldn’t hit the back board. This result does not detract in any way whatsoever from what we have achieved this year, it has been a fantastic season. One which I have enjoyed hugely. Being skipper for the squad is an honour, I am proud of the squad; the hard work, commitment and camaraderie.”