A hot sunny day at Fortress Long Road, but was the hockey going to be hot too?

We tried…

We had our chances, with Ahmed Maiter and Nick Greaves going close on a few occasions…

Bishops Stortford had their chances too.

From which they scored…

…four times.

It could have been more but for a man of the match performance from GK Matt Gower but the home defence, even "You shall not pass me" Ian Evans were out-gunned by persistent and skillful forwards, and one unlucky deflection.

Stu Creed and Nick Greaves were constantly winning the ball and making good progress up the field, but the final ball was usually intercepted and Stortford were able to boss the game, spreading the play at will.

When Cambridge South did use the flanks we had some success; Andy Thomas, and Shahzad Ali sticking to the task manfully, with dogged tackling and quick passing.

Youngsters Tom Steed and Laurie Ho buzzed around hassling opponents with skill and some success and gaining ground, but we couldn't unlock the all-too-solid away defence.

It is indeed going to be a loooonnnngggggg season in 5NW.