Cambridge South 3rds's first competitive match (last week's was a walkover) of the season could have ended better after a mauling by a classy Horncastle outfit.

Things did not seem to go overly well when South found themselves 4-0 down inside the first twelve minutes. It was at this point that South showed a little of what they will be capable of. The midfield of David Bridge, Rupert Webb, Tim Gass and ably led by James Bridge pushed Horncastle back, testing their defence. James Bridge won what was to be South's only short corner after a long dribbling run into the D that beat several defenders before rolling the ball against a Horncastle foot. Sweeper John Benedikz powerfully dispatched the ensuing short corner through the keeper's legs. Two more unfortunate goals occurred before half time, leaving South 6-1 down at the break.

South's defence of Andrew Pounce, Sam Lansdell and John Benedikz, led by captain-elect Rod Richardson and aided by keeper Lino Di Lorenzo's good shot stopping abilities, turned the Horncastle tide back on many occasions, allowing the South strikers Phil Le Gouais and Jason Wong to pressure the Horncastle defence. South's best chance came when another dribbling run from James Bridge was fired just wide of the goal.

Despite a heavy margin of defeat South showed some signs of flair and they will get them much better results once the team settles down.