If this weekend had been live on Sky Sports it would have been billed as "Super Saturday": the Men's 1s vs 2s club derby; the Ladies 2s taking on local rivals Cambridge City 4s; and, of course, the titanic top-of-the-table face-off between Newmarket 2s and the title-chasing Men's 3s getting the full Gary Neville.

Cambridge South 3s were looking to avenge one of their only two league defeats of the season. That had come in an incredibly frustrating game at Newmarket leisure centre when a goal conceded from a short corner just a few minutes into the game proved decisive as, despite a plethora of subsequent pressure and short corners of their own, South were unable to find a reply.

With South not having played in the league for four weeks due to a combination or arctic weather and a fixture gap, Newmarket had taken the opportunity to surge to the top of the division, five points clear albeit having played two extra games. That meant a draw was the very minimum that could be contemplated from this game.

Fortunately, the import of the match had clearly communicated itself to the South squad as a spectacular level of availability with virtually every player available plus a couple of flow-downs from the 2s, themselves taking fourteen players to their derby game, gave South twenty players to pick from! The eventual squad of fifteen was a strong, well-balanced side so there could be no excuses for any slip-ups.

From the off, South were on the front foot. Some cool play by Newmarket saw them keep possession for the opening exchanges but from the first turn over, South were surging forward. Quick breaks, neat interplay and good awareness set a positive tone. The early breakthrough came via a magnificent ball from Matt Kern. Winning possession on the right of midfield, he spotted David Doupé breaking down the left channel. One diagonal pass took out the whole of the Newmarket midfield to send David through on the keeper. David's strike was well-saved but following up was Ali Edge, who with ice in his veins gathered the deflected ball on the top of the D, picked his spot and calmly lifted his shot past the keeper to strike the backboard. A fantastic start.

Pressing home their advantage, South were winning the 50/50 balls and quickly shipping the ball forward. A second goal followed within minutes, this time from an early-taken strike by David. Before Newmarket could recover their equilibrium it was 3-0, with "Goal-a-game" Greaves pouncing in the D to finish. Mid-way through the first half, South were looking comprehensively on top with Steve Parker, guesting in goal in Chris C's absence, yet to touch the ball.

Newmarket were still showing good skills and discipline and were far from rolling over but could find no answer to the quality of South's play across the park. After some initial disruption when an unwell-feeling Tom Anns had to make way for Paul South, the subsequent reshuffling resulting in Neil going from centre back to left back to right back within the space of a few minutes, the defence had settled down. Paul, his deeper position at centre back giving him more time and space than his regular midfield berth and supported by Jan at sweeper, was quarter-backing the game authoritatively, using his anticipation to intercept passes and body strength to win tackles and hold off challenges before unleashing South's midfield runners with his trademark accurate passing game. Matt Kern was a dynamo in midfield, winning everything that came near him and launching attack after attack, with capable assistance provided by Stu and Ali.

Newmarket gradually began to pull themselves back into the contest albeit without truly threatening South's goal. Momentum was restored to South just before half time though when another South attacking surge led to Matt finding himself at the top of the D with the ball on his stick and, deciding to try his luck, was rewarded for his first half display with the sound of the ball hitting the backboard.

At half time, skipper Jelley praised the all-round display but the team were reminded of their previous league match (five weeks ago!) against Peterborough when a similar first half performance and score had been followed by a torrid second half with no further change in the score. This time, however, there was to be no repeat. Newmarket, to their credit, had decided on a bold and positive strategy rather than just sitting back and trying to minimise the damage. The game remained more closely contested than the scoreline would have suggested and Newmarket were rewarded with their best chances so far, a run into the D from the right touchline leading to a short corner from which a lifted shot sailed over Steve's goal.

The next goal, when it came though, was for the home team. Relishing his return to action, John notched up his second goal as he again showed his predatory instinct at close range. Playing his first game on the right wing, Laurie Haslop was proving his claim that right back really wasn't his position and he was much better up front. Too true! His pace and skills were leaving Newmarket with twisted blood and making a good case for dislodging Matt's earlier claim to the MoM title. His reward was South's final goal and his first for the club. How are we going to get him back in defence now?

With a few minutes left on the clock, an earlier warning from the umpires about wild tackling following a green card resulted in a yellow for Newmarket as one of their players bundled over Laurie in the D. After having the meaning of the card explained to him - this isn't football, you don't stay on the pitch - the player headed for the sin bin. As the clock wound down, there was still time for Newmarket to mount their most effective attack of the game, finally drawing a save from Steve for his first touch in two games that day! South saw off the threat to seal what must be South 3s's best performance and victory of the season.

With the other promotion-chasing side, St Neots 4s, drawing a staggering 7-7 with Bourne Deeping (were there no defenders on the pitch?), South remain two points off the top but with two games in hand. A tense run-in beckons.