Deeping looked young, fit, keen, confident, and that was before the start.

We looked...keen (quite keen, anyway).

The game turned out to be an educational experience; appropriate since the location was a Sixth Form college. After an even ten minutes, Deeping decided to wake up and scored four goals without reply.

Then it was half time.

And then Deeping scored five more.

Cambridge South defended manfully, with man of the match James Siddorns and his sidekicks JelleyHoGeorgiadis being kept busy and Shahzad Ali in goal getting lots of practice, preventing a cricket score with some fine saves.

We did have attacks and even got the ball in the net as a Greaves scorcher from a well worked short corner was ruled out by something called a stick tackle (not familiar with this restriction - Ed.). Rob Barton and Wilco Dijkstra had chances but shots proved elusive.

We consistently tried to get the ball forwards, using all angles, with Wilco and Ian Marshman battling and Rupert Espley and Shabhaz Ali on the wings sticking to the task throughout. Somehow the new pitch seemed much bouncier for the home team than the skillful Deeping squad and too often moves broke down before getting into the D.

Ah well. Next week...Cambridge City, at high noon.