We had seen the league table and it was always going to be a tough encounter! We've had some really disappointing results and unfortunately we've had some disappointing performances to match, but with the fewest changes to the side for weeks we were aiming to play as a team today and get stuck in!

Chris G put us through our paces in the warm up so we were ready and raring to go from the off. We started brightly winning a few corners and hassling the Ely defence but eventually Ely proved too strong and too well drilled. Their first goal came from a well executed penalty corner. Sweeping moves outwitted our midfield and they were soon 3-0 up.

At half time we had jelly babies and maybe this was the secret, or maybe it was a sense of pride that hadn't been evident in the previous match, but South once more came out battiling, orchestrated by our lady of the match, Ellie. For a good twenty minutes we kept Ely out. We stuck together, worked as a team (listened to Ellie) and even had a few one on ones with their keeper! Ely's zonal defence had gaps that could be exploited and with a bit more confidence (and if Liles hadn't been taken out so much!) we could have had a few goals.

As legs tired, noses bunged up and recurring injuries recurred(?), Ely made a breakthrough with two more well taken goals. Credit should also go to Sarah M, who made outstanding saves throughout the match.

I would normally be fuming at such a result, but at the end of the day Ely were brilliant and it is to our credit that they only scored five. The whole defence were run ragged but never gave up. With a performance like that there is no way we should be at the bottom of the league. With consistency and more spirited performances we can still lift ourselves from the abyss.