Faced with a frost-bound pitch and a highly optimistic scheduled start time of 10.00am, South were forced to postpone their planned resumption of league action until next week's crucial clash with Market Deeping and play a shortened friendly instead. A 1-0 victory over opponents who were mostly on the back foot provided some exercise but was little consolation for losing the opportunity to open the post-Xmas account with three points. A rearrangement necessitating a further journey up the A1 awaits.

For the record, South's goalscorer was Rob Barton, who left the Town goalie defenceless with a subtle deflection from Rick Erlebach's hit in. Highlight of the day, though, was Chris Massey's attempted impersonation of Torvill and Dean in Tesco's car park. A graceful slide and halt ended ignominiously when he collapsed under the weight of his own hockey bag and ended theatrically horizontal to prolonged applause.