Men's 1st beat Cambridge City

Cambridge South arrived at a chilly Catz pitch for their second local derby in two weeks champing at the bit after last week's ended in disappointment for South. The prospect of thumping Cambridge City was keenly anticipated as South had dominated the reverse fixture and recent results suggested City hadn't exactly improved. And sure enough, South dominated again right from the off, with Eliot, Nick and Dave nonchalantly smashing the ball around the back, generating attack after attack as City were forced to chase the ball.

Two early goals from the 'Terrier Attack' (Jack and Russell), courtesy of some slick moves from midfield and some less-slick football skills from the City defence put South in the driving seat, so to speak, and the game settled down with Mark, Jack and Jon combining in midfield and Simon, Russell and débutante Rich running rings around the defence to make sure South had the lion's share of the possession. It would be no exaggeration to say that if that last pass had been accurate or we'd put our short-corners away or if the pitch hadn't been so slippery with mud that some passages of play in the D resembled an ice-hockey match, then we might have gone in at half time eight or nine goals up.

As it was, we just made it 3-0 at half-time, as Jon finally unleashed his trademark 'only-in-training' blistering shot on a Saturday, the ball satisfyingly pinging off the inside of the post and back across the goal to nestle just inside the other post.

The start of the second half saw City playing with a bit more urgency as they made several useful attacks. Each one was unapologetically stopped in its tracks by either the scything reverse stick of George or a graceful shimmy and turn from Nick who had obviously decided that if he included enough step-overs, pirouettes and triple-lutzes, the opposition marker would eventually just fall to the ground from sheer dizziness. A sample video of Nick in his ballerina prime is on its way to the producers of Dancing on Ice as I write...

City meanwhile were rapidly losing the plot, with incessant arguing, complaining and abuse to anyone who would listen (I know - who would have thought...). So it was astonishing that this period of play resulted in their only goal, from a moment of relaxation in the South defence. But South responded well and kept surging forward with more attacks. Even Dave was spotted in the opposition's D on several occasions (and sharply reprimanded...). But as much as it pains me to say it, it was Jon's 'commanding' play from midfield that was the highlight; another scorcher of a shot hit from the edge of the D nearly bursting the top of the side-netting as it went agonizingly wide, and then a tidy dribble past some 'robust' tackles from City to put the ball on the proverbial plate for Russell to prod in his second of the match.

There was still time for South to miss a bucket-load more chances, and to watch as an opposition player that your HR dept. would describe as 'more experienced' threw his stick down and stormed off following a row with another team-mate. I'm pleased to report that all South players stuck to their game and played in a professional manner throughout. Pats on the back all round, eh. Its always difficult to play at your best when the opposition don't provide much of a challenge, but South will need to significantly raise their game in their remaining fixtures.

Still, some important lessons were learnt. In particular 'Always be prepared' - you never know when those old football boots might be useful in a hockey game, and (as a certain Mr Williams found to his cost) always carry a spare tyre in your car.

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Jon Hawkes
Player of the Match

Nick Bristowe
Lemon of the Match