Cambridge South's mid season slump in form continued with a 3-1 home defeat to St Neots. All South's problems came in the first five minutes when they let in two sloppy goals which allowed the visitors to relax into their game whilst South were left chasing for goals. Both goals were scored by the same forward; firstly shooting under the keeper following a swift break, the second touching home a close range cross at the back post having gain a pace on his marker. After their initial jitters South settled down and, despite continuing to look vulnerable to swift counterattacks, began to control the game.

South pulled a goal back within another five minutes through an extremely efficient counterattack down the right wing. The build up play involved Ali Blake and James Bridge before centre forward Shantanu Golar selflessly ignored his own scoring opportunity and passed the ball across the front of goal for Wilco Dilkstra to calmly score. Having scored, South pushed on to look for the equaliser led from the front by Dijkstra, Golar and Blake and reinforced by the powerful runs of James Bridge.

At the back the defence of Andrew Pounce and Rod Richardson ably led by Ky Ho resisted all further attacks thrown at them for the rest of the half. Daniel Raffle replaced Pounce for the second quarter of the game and look comfortable covering his marker.

Following minor changes to the team by master tactician Mick Beasley, Cambridge South came out fighting after the break and dominated the second half. The team were extremely unlucky to not secure an equaliser and made a number of good shooting chances.

Regular attacks were launched down both wings through David Bridge and Finn Johnson, who played with much more control having rested to allow Andrew Pounce back onto the pitch. John Benedikz, who started in midfield, dropped back to aid the defence and South adopted a 4-4-2 formation.

Ali Blake and Shantanu Golar, assisted by Andrew Pounce, proved to be constant problem to the St Neots defence. Both forward players were moving the ball round well and creating opportunities through thoughtful play.

Throughout the half South forced a number of short corners. These were taken well, using South's well practised routine, and St Neots keeper was forced to make several saves. It was from a penalty corner that South came closest to an equaliser. A good strike from James Bridge towards the back post was instinctively forced towards goal by Dijkstra, but unluckily it went just no more than two inches wide.

Towards the final five minutes of the game legs on both sides were tired. St Neots took to keeping players forward and launching the ball forward in hope every time a South attack was broken down. As South searched desperately for the deserved equaliser an intercepted ball, followed by cramp to his marker, allowed one final St Neots attack. Although the unchecked run was finally met by Will Benedikz at the top of the D, the ball squirmed underneath the keeper and the same striker bundled the ball home to complete his hat-trick. Credit goes to Andrew Pounce and Daniel Raffle for their valiant attempt to keep the ball out.

Following last weeks heavy defeat South did extremely well to turn themselves round and, with the exception of the first five minutes, showed they were by far the better team. Passing, running in support, tackling and commitment were all improved beyond recognition.

At the start of the season we showed that we are more than capable of matching our opponents in this league. The team has suffered through some inconsistency of availability but we have improved, both individually and as a team, since the start of the season. By continuing to play as we can we will rise back up through the league to a more fitting position.