Cambridge South M5s turned up at St Neots with a positive attitude for the first league game of the season, this team was rather good last season beating the 4s on both occasions, but playing against a tougher side (but not too tough) would be a nice test for the coming season. After a worrying week with availability the squad was filled out and with a substitute to spare, a rare commodity for the coming season it seemed. 

Positions were shuffled slightly, the absence of Nathan mean James M got a chance upfront, and with James S on his honeymoon Tom and Ian E formed a new partnership at CB and finally with Rob in goal (he actually volunteered instead of being guilt tripped like everyone else usually is!). The game started really positively, South were pushing into the opposition's half and passing the ball around the top of the D looking for opportunities or openings. This St Neots side was very experienced though and quickly closed gaps that other teams would leave open. When South's attacks were broken down St Neots would counter with a couple of their younger players doing all the running, but South were quick to drop back and cover, especially in the midfield and so the first probing attacks were soon quelled by South's defence. 

Play remained positive but it was soon apparent that getting a shot at the goal would be a lot harder than previously thought. James M and Simon were making space, but were swiftly closed down by the defence and when they managed to break though, the opposition goalkeeper was very bold. One incident came when Simon was through on goal, but the keeper was already fully committed on the floor, and before Simon could react he was sailing through the air and crashing back down to earth. But now the keeper was out of his goal and so James M picked up the ball and readied a shot! Only to see his captain squirming on the floor blocking his view, and wisely choosing not to smack it at Simon's face he had to cut right which gave St Neots the time to force a quick shot from a tight angle which passed harmlessly wide. A few moments later St Neots got their first goal, an exploratory shot from outside the D by their top player saw the ball ping towards Rob who had no time to make a decision so the ball bounced off a pad and into the goal. However, Rob soon redeemed himself as St Neots broke though again, with a 2 on 1 against Tom, whose indecision meant he didn't completely commit to either player. The player passed him but as he turned he saw a mass appear from no-where and an excellent sliding block by Rob stopped a surefire goal. A good performance in the first half, South were definitely still in it. 

The second half started similarly, South were pressing St Neots goal once more, but not quite managing to connect with that final shot, Ian M and Phil were doing really well in the centre of midfield creating opportunities for the forwards but nothing was getting near the goal, and when there was a break through the keeper was quickly out to clear the ball. St Neots on the other hand were pushing more players forward, in the first half they'd been content run back in midfield and cover, but their confidence in their defence soon saw the wingers and one of the centre midfielders sitting much further forward. South's defence had their work cutout with Ian E and Tom on the back foot a lot of the time, but they managed to fend off these attacks for quite a while into the second half, and even defended a few short corners. But with the pressure that was building and the fatigue of South's midfield starting to show they would eventually get another goal. St Neots had another short corner, which was passed back to the taker who managed to squeeze the ball around Howard and Rob into the corner of the goal, 2-0 St Neots. 

South were pushing up the pitch looking for a goal, Doug was making good use of the space on the right wing and making some good runs, whilst newcomer Steve was doing the same on the left. James B dropped into left back when his brother subbed himself due to a back injury. Howard was passing balls up the line and Tom was intercepting balls and starting counter attacks from the back. Unfortunately, South could not catch a break and only a few despairing shots were actually sent towards the St Neots goal. Eventually another St Neots attack found the goal, a shot in the D was slotted though the gaps in the defence, leaving Rob little time to react to a ball appearing a yard in front of him, 3-0 St Neots. 

The defence held on however and no more goals were conceded before full time. It was an odd game because South's build up play was great, the midfield were passing the ball around really well and creating space, but as soon as the forwards got it they ran into a brick wall of the St Neots defence. Possession was mostly favourable to South, but it seemed that St Neots managed to take their chances when South could not. Not to be disheartened it was a really good performance against a strong team, 3-0 was a great result considering the experience of those players and previous results. Perhaps the home game will see some South goals.