A good, open game between two teams deservedly in the upper reaches of the division, ending with a home win.

The first half honours were even. Ash Dookun, buzzing around effectively everywhere on the pitch, opened the scoring with the assist coming from the ever-sprightly Alex Pashley, crossing from the right to an unmarked Ash five yards out. This was cancelled out by an unlucky equaliser after ever-solid keeper, Matt Gower, saw his save from close range go out to an opposition forward who sent it back with interest.

After the break St Ives were the better team but the home defence, led by the ever-dependable Andy Williamson, held out. In spite of Cambridge South conceding quite a few short corners, few shots were allowed. The home team got back into the game when they rediscovered the merits of using the width of the pitch, passing early and running forwards with purpose to be available when needed. South retook the lead when about four forwards found themselves near the penalty spot as an Alex Larkinson effort arrived in their midst. Various individuals claimed contact as it bobbled into the net. The evergreen Rupert Espley sounded the most convincing.

Soon it was three-one, as the ever-ready Paul South displayed his electric speed of thought to fire an inch-perfect shot from distance just inside the post. St Ives wouldn't lie down and got one back from a short corner routine as the marking, for once, wasn't quite tight enough to prevent a lurking attacker prodding the ball in by the far post.

Game over? No chance.

Time for the new wing-back sensation, Alex Larkinson, to take the ball from defence, dribble eighty yards up the right wing and cross to ever-youngish skipper Greave,s who controlled and then smashed the ball from the top of the D past the flailing keeper to make it four-two. And then, the big moment…

Another Larkinson run and cross this time was deflected subtly past the waiting forwards all the way to the far post, for defender Ky Ho, (n)ever before found in such an unfamiliar location, to slot the ball confidently into the net for his first goal EVER for Cambridge South, in over twenty seasons of stalwart service.

And that was that. A feisty game; a well earned victory; revenge for the M4s' only defeat of the season; some excellent team play; second in the league going in to the Christmas break.

Time for a lie down.