Cambridge South fielded a largely new team in this final warm-up friendly, which has yet to develop the fitness, cohesion, and esprit de corps, necessary to achieve its full potential. This contrasted with Saffron Walden 6, who have the luxury or using a 7th team as a development team and who are in the process of bringing out an 8th team.

The game started with Saffron Walden having the majority of possession but not being able to close, due to some able goalkeeping by Lino Di Lorenzo and some competent umpiring which disallowed a short corner hit which struck home above the backboard.

South were dangerous on the break and threatened the Saffrron Walden goal a few times. However eventually home pressure paid off and Saffron Walden went one-nil up. South reshuffled at this point, moving Ian Evans to central back, dropping David Bridge to left back and moving George Lilley to midfield.

A change is as good as a rest, and a rejuvenated South now surged forward and into the Saffron Walden D. The resultant goal was a pell-mell affair eventually struck home by John Sharp after a number of previous shots by, I think, inter alias Tristen Knight and James Raikes.

For most of the remainder of the half South held their own, with Phil Le Gouais doing sterling work as sweeper, ably backed up by Ian Evans and Chris Davies, with Lorenzo the Magnificent acting as the ultimate backstop. Saffron Walden did eventually steal a couple more goals, but South were always threatening with some good runs by John, John, James and Tristen.

Mark Jackson, playing his first hockey after a two year break showed elements of his previous panache and George Lilley promised potential with his maiden appearance for the club.

The second half was a different story. Saffron Walden brought on reinforcements and South's lack of fitness was demonstrated by the concession of four more goals. South will have to work on its fitness, tactics, training and temperament if it is to deserve victory against a team like Saffron Walden 6, but such a victory is achievable.