In the absence of a report from the team [though I will gladly replace this one with the correct version, if such a thing is forwarded to me – Ed], here is an Umpire’s eye view of the game last Saturday.

Cambridge South 1sts, sponsored by PwC, overcame a tenacious City of Peterborough side in a League Cup game played at a chilly Leys on Saturday.

South had already recorded two comprehensive league victories over Peterborough (aggregate score 18-1), so could have been forgiven for expecting a fairly easy ride in this match. However, it was quickly apparent that Peterborough were stronger than they had been in the earlier fixtures, and with South also struggling to get going with the coherent teamwork and fluid passing game that has seen them to the top of the Cambs Premier at Christmas, an even first half ensued.

Peterborough emphasised that they were a serious force in the match by taking the lead towards the end of the opening period, when they converted a short corner with a neat routine; the ball was played back from the top of the circle to the injector, who had advanced towards the left post. She swept first time to give Cassie in the South net no chance. South went looking for an equaliser before the break, and had their best chance when forcing a free-hit on the edge of the circle. The take was accidentally lifted, striking a Peterborough defender on the hip, prompting a five-minute stoppage. Possibly due to the coldness of the day making the pitch hard underneath and less compliant, lifted driven balls hitting players would become something of an unfortunate theme.

Having ended the first half in arrears, South would be ahead before the five minutes of the second period were completed. The equaliser came from a short corner, with the ball being switched left to Juliet, who lined up a flick and beat the visiting ‘keeper at her near post. And within thirty seconds of drawing level, South had turned the game on its head. Straight from push-back, Hayley intercepted a pass, broke into the circle and won a short. From the resulting set piece, Hayley’s shot was saved, only to roll behind the ‘keeper where Emma and a Peterborough defender battled for the loose ball on the goalline. When the backboard was hit with a resounding *thump* it was obvious that Emma had won the duel.

The rest of the game was played at a frenetic pace, with both teams pushing for further goals. South were hindered by the loss of co-captain Gemma, who was forced from the field when a clearance was accidentally lifted and hit her at full pace plumb on the knee, rendering it unable to bend. Some minutes later, it looked like South might be down to ten, as the other co-captain, Hayley, was left in a heap in the Peterborough circle. The Umpire took a lenient view on the defenders challenge, ruling it a nasty collision but accidental obstruction and therefore only worth of a short corner, which was not a view shared by all spectators (most notably the Peterborough coach, who was vocally unimpressed with her player). Fortunately once Hayley had got some air back into her lungs, she was able to play on. South had one final injury scare, as another driven ball came up from the deck and struck Louisa on her knee. Again, South were able to continue with 11 as the magic spray proved effective in keeping the joint mobile, and with a full complement were able to see out the rest of the match for a 2-1 victory.

The Cambs League Cups are played in two pools per division, with the pool winners meeting in the final. This was the last round of fixtures in South’s pool. They had began the day in second place, three points adrift, so knowing only a win would offer them any chance of a place in the final. South had done their part, but on checking the other results found that the pool leaders had also secured a narrow victory and therefore the final spot. Ah well, not to be, concentrate on the league...

Thanks to Daisy, Juliet and Jodee, who all played well, and ran throughout, even though they already had a game in their legs having earlier played for the 2nds.