South arrived at Stamford high off the back of the previous 8 - 1 victory and sitting comfortably at the top of division 4NW with a goal difference to worry any opposition.

We knew this could be a tough game however, playing a team that had come down from the league above the previous season. Connor therefore laid out the tactics of the day, with a strong emphasis on avoiding throwing aerials and retaining possession. Unfortunately, I had just received the news of Sean Connery's passing and was therefore to preoccupied to pay attention to the captains team talk, he was after all, the best Bond actor there has been.

Things didn’t start the way South expected, unable to gain possession for more than a few minutes in the first half and playing as though at half speed, it was looking like our undefeated run might come to an end, especially when Bourne scored early on. There were a couple of chances for South to take an early lead however, most notably with Shin firing a shot high over the crossbar. Perhaps it was the woolly hat he was playing in, the likes that hadn’t been seen since the Alford game, had slipped and restricted his view on goal.

It wasn’t until George A decided enough was enough and took and quick free hit eventually ending up burying the ball in the net. And after another period of play with great passing between the South forward line, Tom B found himself in the D with the ball and only the goalie to beat. This normally results in some sort of fumble and the ball going wide however this time the net bulged and perhaps this is the start of the chase to goal king. As long as Boris doesn’t intervene…

The rain then came down in sheets across the pitch and another worrying few minutes of the game were when George T left the ball travelling through the D only to have it ping off the post, hit him in the back of the leg and into the goal.

There were many notable lemon worthy incidents during the game however the one everyone seems to remember, perhaps because it took place right in front of the subs bench, was the terrible attempt at an aerial ball I made during a period of intense pressure from Bourne. The intention was a huge pass over all the Bourne players to a forward for an easy tap in, the reality was a 1 yard pearoller that gave possession straight back to the opposition. In future, listen to the captain…

In the end it was a well earned win for South and despite not being able to find a pub in Stamford willing to allow a bunch of damp, smelly hockey players in to have an after game pint, it was rounded off nicely by that food of champions, McDonalds.

A mention has to go to Tom Anns for his great defensive work in his first game for the 3s this season, his man of the match performance including picking a opposition shot off the line.