The Cambridge South MIXED team were back in action today for the first time in 2016. Colin used another one of his many contacts and arranged for us to play an U16 team from Saffron Walden who were described as awesome and pushing national level.

The Southerners MIXED team arrived at the pitch to the bewilderment of parents who were heard to ask Colin, "You're an old man…are you a grown-up mixed team??" This should have been our first clue that the Saffron Walden team knew very little of our MIXED team. During our 'warm up' we started to notice that there were very few male teenagers turning up. Colin, being the one who organised this match (I'm taking no responsibility for this one) dandered over to his contact to question the whereabouts of the boys. Turns out Colin had arranged for our MIXED team to play a team of U16 GIRLS.

With a kicking-back in Diane instead of a keeper, we lined up against the opposition team of fit (in every sense of the word) young things and very quickly discovered that we were going to run around a lot during this match. The girls were very skilled and used any free space well. However, we had some strong and skillful players of our own. The PYT's were the first the get on the scoreboard but we quickly answered back thanks to great linking play from Nick, Hannah, Ollie and Sophie before Graham - a late addition to the team who was feeling that his Goal King title was under threat - slotted the ball in the opposition net. Half time saw the MIXED team drawing with the GIRLS, 1-1.

After a rousing team talk and lots of jelly babies we went out for the second half, this time with Janette as kicking back. Cambridge South fought well with great defending from Tom and Colin, who cleared the D well giving Vicky and Hannah great opportunies to push forward. So much so that Hannah made a great run to the goal and calmly made it 2-1. The Saffron Walden girls were far from defeated and quickly answered back with a goal of their own.

What happened next is such a rare occurrence (like sighting Nessy or Bigfoot) I feel honoured and privileged to have witnessed it. Tom ascended to the dizzying heights of the opposition D and despite the inevitable altitude sickness and fatigue he must have been feeling, managed to keep it together and power the ball into the back of the net to everyone's (including his own) surprise. Tom's first goal of the season ladies and gentlemen. Diane, maybe feeling slightly jealous in her seeing her defender buddy getting on the score sheet, and channelling her inner Lou C, helped the Saffron Walden girls to even the score with an amazing deflection past kicking-back, Nick. Diane's first goal of the season ladies and gentlemen.

The match remained tight at 3-3 with both teams having chances denied thanks to brilliant keeping from Saffron Walden's goalie and solid defending from Colin, Tom, Diane, Nick and Janette. Finally Graham manged to do what Andy and Sophie couldn't, and scored his second goal (I'm not even mad). Full time: a hard-fought win for Cambridge South's MIXED team, 4 goals to 3.

I'd like to take this opportunity to quickly mention a few interesting happenings and observations:

1. Colin says sorry a lot when playing against girls.
   
2. As kicking backs, Janette and Diane didn't actually use their feet...the same cannot be said for their normal outfield play.
   
3. Ollie's mother can be very proud she raised such a gentleman.
   
4. I didn't score (the less said about that the better)
   
5. Did I mention that Colin organised for the MIXED team to play against GIRLS?
   
6. It was great to have a couple of new faces for the mixed team: thanks Nick and Vicky and to their mini supporters.
   
7. The only thing missing from the match teas were party bags.
   
8. By the end of the match, the girls seemed to know Colin and Graham by name.
   

MOM saw votes for Ollie, Sophie and Vicky but in the end was tied between Hannah, Nick and Tom.

LOM votes went to Diane, Nick and Sophie but deservedly went to Colin for his organisational skills.

There you have it: we managed to beat a team of girls! In all seriousness, every credit to the Saffron Walden girls, they put up a fight, showed some amazing talent and gave us a great match.