At last. As a result of excellent teamwork, another league win for Cambridge South Vets.

The last few months have been a bit depressing at times but today’s match was a great one to play in and was thoroughly enjoyable.

After some initial difficulties in gaining access to the pitch, the match started and was evenly balanced until South opened the scoring with a slightly bizarre goal after ten minutes. From a short corner, Stephen Fleck's hard shot was saved by the keeper only for the ball to come off a defender’s stick, hit the back of the keeper’s helmet and roll into the goal before a defender could stop it. The ball also evaded Phil Smith’s efforts to help it over the line and claim the goal!

Both teams played good flowing hockey and Bedford pulled level midway through the half with a goal, also from a short corner.

South’s forward trio of Ricky Williams, Roger Craigen and Richard Bettison, back after an absence of three months, were posing problems for Bedford’s defence and their constant moving and running gave the midfield of Karl Konradt, Stephen Fleck and Phil Smith plenty of openings for through passes and spaces for them to join in, in attack.

Shortly before half-time a fast move down the left, which was then moved quickly across to Stephen in the middle of the pitch, five yards outside of the circle, saw a perfect through ball for Richard to hammer home and claim his first goal of the season. So a jubilant South led two-one at half time.

Bedford started the second half determined to find the equaliser but the South defence in front of Jim Sutcliffe held firm, with excellent performances from Kevin Pride, Mick Beasley, Steve Riches and Peter Kemp. Bedford kept pressing but were unable to break down the South defence. CS kept working together as a unit and came close to the vital third goal on several occasions. Finally, the goal came that made the game feel safe with ten minutes remaining. A good attack down the right saw the Bedford defence stretched and the keeper was called on to make an excellent save, only for the ball to be pushed back to the top of the circle where an unmarked Karl had just arrived. His stunning shot left the keeper stranded.

An excellent game won against a team that beat us five-one in October. No man of the match award – it was a team effort. All we need to do now is repeat it next week against Bishop’s Stortford.

Also many thanks to Matt Bailey, who came along to watch the first half; he ended up umpiring as Bedford’s umpire pulled out early Saturday and no replacement had been found.