After a long and bleak journey across the flooded fens, we arrived at Wisbech where there was some confusion and general lemonry, for a few players instinctively drove to where they had played many moons before, i.e. last season. Just as we waited for the pitch to clear of the previous game, the clouds dispersed, and the sun shone (albeit on the shoddy sandy pitch). We quickly realised this could well be our last game in a while, and so wanted to play both our best and enjoy the game.

We were eager to go. The referees? Less so, they severely warned the captains before the game started that spitting would not be tolerated...Who was it aimed at? Who would be so disgusting and in the Covid era nonetheless? Well, we’d heard of Wisbech 3’s strong defence but not of those tactics.

Play started, South soon took possession, and the oppositions strengths were quickly revealed: yes strong defence, along with athletic and nimble teenagers aplenty and the ability to hit accurate balls on this sodden sand based pitch.

To start, play was chaotic on both sides before establishing a clearer structure and maintaining width of the pitch. Turn overs were frequent for both teams as their nimble players triggered stick tackles and feet (likewise as did our players). Our presses continued to be as successful as ever and put pressure on their passing. Some wonderful one twos from midfield to attack lead to the ball being beautifully lead up to the attacking D. On the left wing Naomi consistently dribbled and weaved the ball around many players to reach the D. There were some wonderful strikes on goal, notably from Libby and Polly. Soon, we had gained a short corner. As the score reflects, it wasn’t to be, but it doesn’t show just how close our attackers were. The few short corners were strongly executed but sadly just a few centimetres off succeeding. As Jan’s email had forewarned, the oppositions defence was notably strong (having only conceded 2 goals this whole season).

On the other side of the pitch, our defence was just as strong. Rosie’s hit outs were not to be messed with and flew past the oppositions press. Shree, Rebecca and Eloise blocked, tackled and diverted the ball back into our possession. Multiple short corners were held, but none successful either. Wisbech’s attackers had a few worrying breakaway runs which left it down to Cassie in goal to be our ever reliant last line of defence. She blocked. She kicked. She dived. She even caught when there was a particularly surprising and nifty aerial.

The second half began with South taking a stronger hold of possession; to beat this slow pitch we’d agreed at half time we had to receive and pass the ball in a more fluid (and quicker!) manner. This worked. In midfield, Nicole continued to work tirelessly across the board from tackling their driving attackers to intercepting long shots, whilst keeping an eye on her very young, very nimble player. Ann, positioned as a high mid, controlled the ball with some marvellous driving and dodging of players to push the ball further in attack. Their strong defence prevailed and kept our attacking constrained to the wings and top D, in which their players were holding. This in turn limited our shots on goal.

The game was coming to close and word on the pitch had spread, there was only 2 minutes remaining. In those two minutes, Wisbech took control of the ball from their defence and made an eager race to attack. With our midfields charging back and our defence re-positioning, they were held off until the whistle went for a short corner. Tension rose as the seconds ticked by knowing this could be it. Then, the whistle blew to signal the end of the game, but not before the short was played! The additional players helplessly walked back to the halfway line and encouraged our defence to do the same again. At this point, Wisbech took on a new tactic given the circumstances. All their field players descended on our defensive D.

The side line of supporters jeered and shouted. We held our breath. The ball spun out off the back line. Our defence raced out of the goal at which point Rebecca stopped the shot, painfully, both literally and figuratively, as she had done so with her foot. It was to be another short corner. This time the ball sped towards the goal, not much could be seen, until it was clearly not a goal and the whistle for full time thankfully was blown.

Though we did not win, we did not lose and we did not concede any goals. It was a wonderful game with both sides being tested and pushed. A valuable game for the South 5s to play. It may be lockdown 2.0, but we can pause our matches with the pride of being top of the league!