The 2^nd XI let more points slip through their fingers at the Theatre of Broken Dreams this week, once again surrendering a lead and leaving the pitch ruing a combination of missed chances and defensive clangers.

A promising opening was spoiled when the visitors polished off a short corner that followed Cooper’s dithering with a rather tame aerial, but South countered from the restart and Dom Nelson stabbed home an instant equaliser. A splendid dart and reverse stick finish from debutant Jim Hockley saw us enter the break a goal to the good and all appeared to be rosy.

Some ghastly horror afflicted us in the second period, as Halloween announced itself good and proper with three St Ives goals made all the more spooky by the distinct absence of any nearby defenders. The grateful visitors had clearly sprinkled their goal with holy water or some such, as it remained impervious to Johnson’s best efforts, even when left completely unguarded (Editor’s Note – 2 open goals missed and still no lemon?)

Hockley doubled his individual tally close to the end but the fourth never followed and we trudged off despondently. So, we slip a little further down the table, but hopefully are learning the lesson that we need to finish teams off when we are on top!