Another Saturday and another case of so near and yet so far for M4s who still find themselves awaiting their first points of the season after another taxing game. The early signs were good as a plethora of players once again allowed us the luxury of substitutes and we started brightly.

Some good work in and around the centre of the park by the dynamic duo of Phil H and Joe W worked the ball around well and made good use of Jacob and Nathan on the wings to provide balls across the D for the forward line and put some pressure on the Saints defence.

It wasn't hugely surprising then that South took the early lead following a well worked short corner routine. The ball was sent out quickly and accurately to Joe, who expertly trapped the ball to allow the Monckasaurus's Mallet (TM) to unleash an unstoppable rocket into the bottom right hand corner. South retained the upper hand and kept pushing forward looking for the second, only to find the Saints keeper on top form and more than a match for all we could throw at him.

St Ives seemed to have a lot of new young players compared to last seasons fixtures and it showed. After a nervy start, they soon got into their own rhythm and started to roll us back by applying concerted pressure in the midfield, then using their pace to work the ball around and behind us. One such spell bought them a succession of short corners as the South defence found it hard to clear their lines before the inevitable happened and the equaliser came.

Determined not to buckle, South roared back and carved out several opportunities of thier own. Shots flew left and right of the Saints posts and a set of sort corners came to nothing; South's clearest opportunity before half time came when a quick turn over in midfield released Simon who dragged a shot wide to the right when it seemed easier to find the target. At the other end despite manful resistance, the South defence was breached twice more as Saints pacy wing players were able to work balls across the South D with more accuracy, enabling shots to be rained down on Shahzad from all angles. Most were repelled, but some stuck and the half closed with South 3-1 down.

The next goal was going to be crucial and the hope was it would come for South, but alas it was not to be. Despite continually working hard to make the openings and breaks that were required (and several good chances came and went including a succession of short corners that we couldnt capitalise on) it never came. Saints added only one more to their tally though and this was down to the tireless efforts of the South defence who were resolute in mopping up the attacks as they came through reducing Saints to some hit and hope tactics where shots fizzed in from outside the D, but without finding the vital contact required to beat Shahzad.

All in all, it was another good performance that bodes well for the club as a whole. Debutant Rasmus Petersen put in a solid and capable display in his first competitive hockey match (ever, not just for South!) and with the new squad additions that have been unearthed in Joe, Charlie and Nathan H its providing ample competition for places which is only a benefit for the squad and club as a whole. A little more calm and composure and a bit of luck as well and we'll be going places. 6NWS is always a competitive league and with a lot of new faces this year, its just taking us time to find our feet.