Honours were even after a lively game which preserved the Fab 4ths unbeaten run of…two weeks. How did this happen ?

We got a goal in the first half, as Sniffer Frampton pounced on a Rupert Espley bobbler to make sure it hit the net. The away keeper later thanked him by flattening him as he waited in the D for a pass, which arrived sometime after Simon F was already in a heap on the ground. In fairness the GK was unsighted and also probably sick of seeing him lurking near the penalty spot.

Newmarket got their goal in the second half with Captain Benedikz, returning to his spiritual hockey home, smashing the ball in from close range after some defensive confusion with a gleeful roar. The goal count could have been much higher…with Newmarket hitting the post with a P-flick. Must have been guesting keeper (thanks, Chris) Matson putting the opponent off by…being there.

Cambridge South had chances to win, Skipper Greaves hitting the post, narrrowly missing another with a deft flick, and having one disallowed for the minor infringement of using his left leg to assist. Simon Frampton had a couple of shots fly just wide and dragflick-meister Shahbaz Ali saw one go just over the top from a short corner move.

The home defence were on form, taking the most nominations for MoM with that man Alan Radford just pipping Andy Williamson for the gong. It was good to see the defenders pushing up whenever possible to support attacks, or probably showing those further upfield how it should be done. The midfield made their mark too, not least when Simon Jelley executed a spectacular reverse stick pass back from the half way line to…a Newmarket attacker. Baffling. His sense of direction was confirmed by his somewhat misaligned parking in the pub car park afterwards.

Honourable mentions must go to Andy Williamson - wounded in the cause of duty, newcomer Alex Pashley - buzzing around effectively and making some match-saving clearances off the goal line, and Wilco Dijkstra and Shahzad Ali guesting for the opposition, playing rather too well when they did.

This was an enjoyable match, and a fair result on the balance of play. Now it gets serious with the start of the league next week…