This was the crunch game. A win would practically assure Cambridge South 3rds of the division title, securing promotion and becoming the first South men's team on record (i.e. since before 1999) to win a division title.

St Neots's youth development team revealed an average age several years older than the neophytes who had faced South in the reverse fixture before Christmas. Allied with a few older heads, it was clear they were a side capable of giving South a stern test. Despite being shorn of several regulars - David Doupé, Stu Creed, Tim Clapp and Laurie Haslop all missing - South were still able to field a strong line-up, a tribute to the squad's increasing strength in depth. At the back, South welcomed the return of Jim Thorpe, his recent half-marathon achievement showing there's life in the old dog yet.

It was a warm spring morning at The Leys as St Neots pushed back. True to expectations, St Neots were competing well but South early on began to look the more dangerous side. Balls were being moved forward quickly and Rupert Espley on the right wing was making particular inroads, several times reaching the byline to crack crosses into the D. St Neots's threat was mainly coming on the break, relying on their young legs to cover the ground but rarely able to create a clear chance.

As the half wore on and chances came and went for South, it began to feel like it might be one of those days where the ball just refuses to go in. The best chance before the break fell to Ali Edge, arriving at the left post unmarked as the ball was crossed in but just failing to make a clean connection. More comical was Olly Lamming's raised strike on the half volley, unfortunately wide of the goal and after the whistle had already gone but which nevertheless came close to mowing down several St Neots defenders. Down the other end, one St Neot's break saw the ball knocked beyond the last defender only for Neil Sneade to come across from right back and calmly collect the ball before the St Neots forward could latch on to it.

At half time the game was still goalless but captain Jelley was confident that refusing to be panicked and continuing to play their game would eventually bring South rewards. The skipper's words were proved prophetic quicker than he could have imagined. From the push back, South attacked and quickly won a short corner. The ball was injected to Tom South who dragged the ball and flicked it into the far corner low to the keeper's left to open the scoring. Buoyed by the breakthrough, South kicked on and began to regularly threaten the St Neots goal, forcing the keeper into a number of saves. Tom was excelling in his runs from midfield, one slaloming effort taking him through practically the whole St Neots defence before his shot went just wide.

A one goal lead was far from comfortable though. Although St Neots were finding it hard to create clear goalscoring chances, they succeeding in winning several short corners, one of which drew a good low save from Steve Parker in the South goal and several of which had to be cleared with alacrity. Jim showed flashes of the old class to frustrate several dangerous attacks and launch shrewd counters, including one surging run that took him to the edge of the opposition D. Meanwhile, John Benedikz was sweeping to mop up any danger and using his strong hits to clear the lines.

As the game entered the final quarter, South at last put clear water between themselves and their opponents. This time Ali, atoning for his earlier missed opportunity, saw his close range shot saved but was quickest to react and put the ball home at the second attempt. A few minutes later, Goal-a-Game found his narrow-angled shot from close to the left byline blocked as he was bundled over. Nonetheless, he managed to play the ball across the goal as the umpires played advantage, to leave Ali with a simple reverse stick tap in from a couple of feet out.

The game secured, South safely saw out the remaining minutes. The win leaves South needing two points from their final two fixtures to secure the title, with an opportunity to make it safe tomorrow against March before the season-ending derby with the 4ths next weekend.