The massive score line did not reflect the quality of Cambridge South's play for much of this game. The difference was simply taking half-chances in front of goal.

The start of the game was scrappy from both sides. This improved quickly although Ely took charge and most of the play was in the South half. In what became a blueprint for their later goals, Ely scored their opener after just ten minutes. The ball was fired into the circle and although keeper Will Benedikz stopped the initial shot an Ely player was on hand to tuck the ball away, despite the attentions of Rod Richardson standing on the line.

Going a goal down seemed to improve the South play and the basic hockey was looking much stronger. Attacks down the right wing through Phil Smith and Finn Johnson, supported by Rob Barton, looked to be South's best option for redressing the balance. However, Ely beat the South back line of Andrew Leonard, John Benedikz and Ky Ho to take to another half-chance.

Throughout the middle period of the half South were much more positive and they were attacking well on all fronts, forcing the Ely midfield and defence to work very hard. South were passing well to each other and running in support and this hard work nearly paid off as they won a number of penalty corners and also hit the post during a frantic few seconds as the ball was lost in the melee of players. James and David Bridge in midfield, supporting Wilco Dijkstra down the left wing, proved to be somewhat a thorn in Ely's side.

As things were going well for South disaster struck with two quick Ely goals just before halftime. Substitute Daniel Raffle certainly stopped it being three with a timely tackle immediately before the whistle even though he was heavily outnumbered.

The second half can be summarised by saying Cambridge were four goals down and pushing forward whilst Ely had a comfortable cushion and could afford the luxury of having a single striker sitting forward. Most of the goals came from a loose ball in the circle not being cleared fast or far enough by South. One example of this was when two shots were charged down at the edge of the circle only for the ball the ricochet to an Ely forward for another attempt.

The home side had an unrehearsed short corner routine that usually allowed the South defence to clear. John Benedikz and Ky Ho running out were particularly effective at spoiling these shooting chances. Only once, with a low flick, did Ely score cleanly. Luck too, played its part with one speculative (off target) shot being deflected in by a defenders foot.

Ely did not have the game all their own way. Cambridge continued to work very hard and looked like scoring. Shots and crosses came in from both sides but it was the final touch that was missing; on one occasion even when the cross had beaten the keeper. The forward players, Finn and Wilco, never gave up running and Finn's persistence, strongly supported by Phil Smith and Rob Barton from midfield, set up Rob on a run across the D to draw the keeper and shoot into the gaping net. This, despite having fifteen minites to play, was the final goal of the game. South's dedicated defending and persistent attacking could be summed up as they successfully defended a dead time penalty corner even though the entire Ely team were surrounding the circle.

The scale of the defeat is upsetting however the positive play, especially during the middle of the first half and the final quarter of the game is very encouraging. The (very) important games are now Peterborough, St Ives, St Neots and Long Sutton – all of whom we can beat (convincingly) if we pass and run as well as we can.