It was a tale of two teams after the well-fought match. For one, joyous, victorious back-slapping with all round mutual praise; for the other, despondent, desolate trudging with angry faces and heavy hearts. Local derbies, wherever the locality, have always been emotional and physical battles and this was no exception. The match had everything: goals, near misses, cards, injuries, hard tackles, silky skills and wonder-goals.

South were definitely up for this game, Captain Mark Williams insisted that his team arrive early to work on their short corner routines and from the start, South showed Nomads that this was not just going to be a run-of-the-mill victory for the previously undefeated league leaders. After ten minutes, and a beautiful move involving the entire midfield and forward lines of Cosford, Ta, Virdi, Halse and Pearson, Williams finished in style. One-nil.

Nomads pressed hard but to no avail as Steve Parker in goal pulled off a couple of crucial saves. South pressed back and won two short corners towards the end of the half, the second of which was converted by Chris Pearson after a well-planned and well-worked move. Two nil.

Nomads came back again and, in a moment that could have changed the game, the Nomads’ striker went close with a rocket from the top of the D. Luckily for South, it shot just over the bar.

At half time it was still two-nil to South, thanks mainly to excellent defensive duties from Ashton, Chalk and Rimmer, marshalled well by Graveling, but it was Colin who shone and quite frankly didn’t put a foot wrong all match, tackling with aplomb, intercepting with ease, and making the best attack of the league look toothless.

The second half followed the same lines, with Nomads pushing extremely hard but South having the better of the game, just. The killer blow was dealt by Spencer. After chasing a lost cause and just managing to keep the ball in play, he let off a wonderful reverse stick shot into the top corner. Three-nil, game over.

Overall, the result was fitting and the reaction of the two teams fitting, too. One victorious; one despondent.

The return fixture in February could be a cracker.