After a comprehensive warm-up and tactical walkthrough, South pressed the opposition from the opening minute forcing countless turnovers. The holding midfield duo of Dias and Dijkstra keeping us secure in the midfield quickly resulted in the ball being played to our forward line and earning our first short corner.

A quick huddle in front of the goalmouth and the decision for the ball to go right to the willing and able Stu Creed resulted in him thumping the ball into the bottom left corner. One-nil, get in!

Suddenly the opposition woke up and, aided by their nimble young go-getters, started to mount pressure through quick interplay in the midfield.

It took a solid defensive effort to keep their efforts out time and time again. Ky and Garth marshalling orders at the back and Piper helping to distribute the ball out under pressure gave us some breathing space, but the sheer quantity of short corners began to make an impact and, despite Ben's numerous quality saves within a short space of time, a well-worked play resulted in the ball travelling across our goalmouth and being tapped in at the back post.

In at half time at one-one, the message was simple. Defensive solidarity in our 4-2-3-1 formation, quick releases and constant communication.

South started well but the wise old heads of the opposition gave them a good standing in terms of possession and South struggled to maintain meaningful bouts of possession. However, on a decisive counter attack involving Ta, Dreuitt, Creed x 2 and Oli, the delivery into the box caused mass confusion amongst the opposition who sliced the ball away to Ta on the right edge of the area, who thundered a shot on the volley into the bottom right corner.

Wheeling away with his trademark celebration, the opposition gathered around the umpire to voice some sort of complaint…but not having any of it, the game was called to restart. Two-one!

What was to follow amounted to trebuchet, cannon and mortar fire against the great Wall of China. Caddy, Hesham and Thomas provided us with more options and outlets and some useful interplay.

Soon after, however, a series of about twelve short corners and balls pinged around our area tested the testicular fortitude of the Men's 5ths, but holding firm to a man, our lead stood…until a final short corner breached our defense in the last five minutes by creeping in despite the heroic efforts of our team.

Great energy, great defensive unity, clinical finishing (two shots, two goals!) and great camaraderie meant the team's unbeaten run of form continues!