The league campaign started with a narrow defeat, but a good performance with a few elements missing: goals.

Cambridge South had the bulk of possession and the ratio of chances was approx 10-3 to the away team

St Ives's three were in the first half and unfortunately they scored from two of them. Stand-in keeper, Andy Thomas, was unlucky with both as the otherwise rock-solid defence were unable to keep the ball away from attackers lurking in the D on both occasions.

Cambridge South put some neat moves together, with defenders popping up in attack - one Howard Steed run and cross surprising us all, even him. Newcomers Ash Dookun and Alex Pashley were constantly snuffing out St Ives attacks alongside the Main Man (a.k.a. Rock Radford) and getting the ball up to the South midfield, where Peter Creed put in a man of the match display to create frequent chances. He was ably supported by father, Stu, and his midfield colleagues, battling to the end.

It was only excellent goalkeeping that prevented Stu and Shahbaz Ali from putting the game beyond St Ives reach, with acrobatic goal line saves after incisive team moves had created the opportunities. The chances kept coming but a combination of near misses, a crossbar repelling a direct hit from a Shahbaz signature drag flick, and some overcomplexity teeing up shots or seeking the killer pass, meant that the St Ives team, egged on by their usual boistrous but good humoured supporters, kept their lead.

It was too little too late when skipper Greaves got the final touch on the end of some fine interplay, connecting decisively with James Raikes's cross pass and giving the keeper no chance.

This match will give great encouragement with everyone contributing, creating chances, moving the ball fast and playing as a team.