The Mens 2^nd X1 got the Cambridge South bandwagon a’trundlin’ this season, taking to the field at some un-godly hour to welcome the well-heeled gents of Saffron Walden.

It was kind of Chris Walsh to deflect any lemon-voting attention away from the new skipper with his toilet antics early doors, otherwise my insistence on bringing out the Subbuteo would surely have attracted votes. Once he’d marked South’s territory, the game could commence…

Walden were pretty handy, but we were able to keep them at arm’s length in the opening exchanges and, beginning to link some passes around in midfield, find a foothold in the game – Ali Edge and Shin Kim particularly impressing in the wider support channels. A right to left switch and incision down the wing brought our first goal, the ball eventual reaching Matt Kern to commit the keeper and slide home. There were a couple of near misses at the other end, the oppo’s most meaty connection in the circle unfortunately being with the knee of Tom Anns. He’s a tough old nut though and re-appeared after a magic squeeze.

A half-time reminder of the basic points of the new tactical masterplan didn’t bear immediate fruit, as the visitors equalised with a frankly ridiculous goal which bent space, time and the limits of stand-in vice-captain Mark William’s credulity. If we concede another reverse stick shot from the baseline that hits the inside of the far post and rebounds straight back out on the same (impossible) angle, I think I’ll cry. (Important to note, no blame can be attached to Steve in goal – it honestly was ridiculous).

A general defensive malaise contributed to the concession of a second – we’ll chalk that one down to the learning process. Pleasingly, we found another gear and, after Chris Pearson had managed to ride a little bit of rough and tumble, JT stabbed home at the back stick.

In summary, this was a pretty decent first outing – 1, 2, 3, SOUTH!