Cambridge South, sponsored by PwC, made a short-lived foray into the HA Vase for the first time in a number of seasons. The draw had seen South paired with Royston, from just down the road, though as Royston compete in the SW sector of the East League, competitive matches between the clubs are rare.

The action opened in expansive fashion, with both sides getting to the opposition's byline and fashioning early chances. After an even opening fifteen minutes, Royston began to get the upper hand, exerting long spells of pressure and winning a number of penalty corners. They only found the net once from these and that strike was ruled illegal for a dangerous swing at a waist high ball, leaving the halftime scoreline blank.

Royston's possession and territorial advantages continued from the whistle in the second period, and within two minutes they were ahead. A free hit from just outside South's circle found a mysteriously unmarked player on the byline, and he squared the ball for it to be tapped in from close range. A very soft goal from a South point of view.

Royston kept the pressure up, leaving South relying on counter-attacks, as in the 58th minute, when Forrest's pace saw him beyond the visitors defence, only halted by the Royston keeper. Directly from this Royston launched their own counter, which had the home defence scrambling and ended with a loose ball in the circle being knocked home, again from very short range.

With five minutes remaining, South gave themselves a lifeline, Forrest sweeping high into the net from Kev's driven cross from the right flank. This set up some frantic final pressure from South as they looked to force extra-time, but no equaliser was to be had. Ah well, next year, maybe…

Talk in the dressing room afterwards was that frankly Royston had deserved the win, and in fact could have had it won by half-time. That they are struggling in eleventh spot in 3SW is a bit of a surprise on their performance in this game, though given they didn’t put the game beyond South at any point, despite the general run of play, gives a clue to their problem.