In a tense encounter Cambridge South held off a committed Bishop's Stortford 3XI to draw 1:1.

James Cobb valiantly stepped up and organised the team pre-match as Captain Fantastic Rob Garret was umpiring in the preceding match. To make amends for forgetting the Bishops Stortford voodoo doll James delivered a stirring pre-match speech where he exhorted the team to make Bishop Stortford weep.

Despite James’ organised build-up, in the early exchanges Cambridge South were unable to get their normal fluid passing going. With Bishop Stortford controlling both territory and possession, Nick Bristowe and George Wych both made a series of timely tackles as South’s defence held the attackers at arm’s length. In an effort to open the scoring South adopted a counterattacking game. John Hawkes combined great close control and an appetite for attack, repeatedly cutting in from the left flank while Russell Johnson offered a threat on the right.

As the first half wore on Cambridge South started to impose their authority on the game. Eliot Read starting his first game for 10 months repeatedly showed great distribution from the back under pressure while Dave Aston filling in at left back showed composure on the ball and a positional awareness that could see him take on the role more permanently; however, despite the pressure by South and a goal mouth scramble, the half ended without a score.

South finally broke the deadlock in the second half. A swift break up the left released Tristen Knight. Cutting inside Tristen made the pass of the match to pick out Russell Johnson unmarked at the top of the D where Russell slotted it to the left of the on-rushing keeper. South nearly doubled their lead a minute or so later with carbon copy of the goal alas this time there was no end product. Sensing the game was there to be taken South kept pushing. Jack Chalk attempted a reverse stick shot which he claimed was the closest he’d come to scoring on the reverse for a year. In the centre of the pitch Rob Garret again showed it is possible to both shield the defence and drive the team forward, while Tristen Knight showed his versatility in playing 4 different positions - all after playing in the 2XI match.

With the Cambridge South stretched Bishop Stortford finally equalised.

An attack down Cambridge’s left quickly left South’s defence outnumbered and exposed. Fresh legs and quick interplay concluded with a tap in at the far post for the extra man. The clinical finish gave Shahbaz Ali no chance at all (especially as this was also his second match of the day).

In the final stages South started to flag with John Hawkes suffering from cramp. However, South’s defence remained resolute and soaked up the pressure, as did umpire Rob Barton who refused to favour the away side despite repeated suggestions and opportunities. A tense finale ensued with a series of short corners to Bishop Stortford. South’s defence held firm each time albeit at the cost of another short corner. With full time blown South’s forward line were force to race back each time in an effort to help out- or at least those still able and willing to run. Finally South’s defence managed to scramble the ball away and the match ended with honours even.

Captain Rob Garret commented that it was a shame that Cambridge South couldn’t provide the away victory that several committed South supporters had stayed to see. These loyal followers stayed to watch a tense match that could not compare to their earlier pulsating end-to-end thriller.

Man of the Match was awarded to Russell Johnson after the Bishop Stortford defence complained about chasing him around the pitch. Rob Barton and Simon Ta shared Lemon of the Match. Rob Barton was nominated for wearing a pink umpires shirt and upholding the spirit of neutrality (seems rather harsh as he was umpiring at the time - Ed.) and Simon Ta for forgetting where he needed to a lift to and for attempting to steal South’s goal (entirely justified - Ed.)

The draw in Bishops Stortford was the final friendly before the league season starts next week away to St Ives 2. Cambridge South will take satisfaction from their successful pre-league matches as they return to face more familiar rivals.