Heading into the game, the M1s were looking to finish a competitive pre-season run with a win against a team they would be facing in the upcoming season. A couple of new players, a new formation and a new intensity had been working out well over the previous three fixtures, though with a couple of blips that needed to be corrected before the season started. A squad of thirteen on an unseasonably warm Saturday set out to play forward, first, fast hockey and bring back a victory – though not all together, as Mike managed to turn up a full half hour late. Still, it’s pre-season and I’m sure he won’t do that again…

Against a full sixteen-man Bury side in shocking 25°C heat, controlling the game with sensible possession and playing smart were the key talking points from the captain and as the game started, South did just that. Calm at the back, using the wide areas well and playing the ball around in midfield, it was an assured opening. Composure on the ball and linking up to the forwards who were making excellent runs, it was a fluid display that gave little opportunity for Bury to get into the game.

A rare mistake from Captain Stu, losing the ball high up the pitch, set Bury away on a three man break but Doug, tracking back at speed, managed to get a touch on the cross, taking the pace off the ball and allowing an alert Darren to boot it to safety. Moments of danger for South though, were few and the majority of the game was played deep in the Bury half. Despite the possession, there was a rising tension with the 0-0 scoreline and while the chances were coming, the goals were not.

It took until late on in the first half for Harry Lewis to put the M1s into the lead. Bouncing the ball around Bury’s 25 yard line, the midfield were looking for an opening and Harry’s dart forward ahead of his marker allowed the pass to be made. A solid first touch and a characteristic roll away from the defender, taking the ball onto his strong side, Harry drove towards the goal. And kept going. And kept going. Just when it seemed he had made the angle too tight, a sharp push slipped the ball under the keeper and against the backboard.

Nerves settled as the second half started, South maintained the tempo of the game in the face of a few ‘overenthusiastic’ challenges that left each M1 midfield player on the ground at various points on the game – though Mike was taken out by a twelve year old so it didn’t really count. Things got a bit scrappy at points and the umpires had to have words with both teams but no cards were shown. Bury pressed and had a few opportunities to make the equaliser in the second half but stout defending, tracking back in numbers and good communication dealt with the danger.

Harry Chalk personally dealt with a dangerous hazard mid-way through the half; a rogue tennis ball bounced onto the pitch and a swing that Cook himself would be proud of sent the ball into the carpark and the fans into cheers. And just in case anyone has missed it, Chalky proceeded to tell everyone about it for the rest of the day in a feat of shameless self-promotion that got him Man of the Match. I’m not bitter, honest…

As pressure continued, South won a (large) number of short corners but couldn’t quite find the clinical edge needed to convert. It wasn’t until late in second half that a goalmouth scramble ended with Mike finishing from a couple of yards and putting the game to bed.

Overall, it was an impressive performance, perhaps not in the scoreline but in the quality of the play, control of the game and getting the job done. Signs are good for the season and it might be early but I’m saying it: promotion is in the offing.