This correspondent hasn't been watching the South team for nearly as long as our esteemed chairman, Mick Beasley, but surely this first half here in the back of beyond must come close to one of their poorest performances. Wisbech were better organised, better motivated and, crucially, more determined. Wisbech chased down all loose balls and any 50-50 was quickly turned into a 70-30 in their favour. In this dark, desolate and despondent fenland, South resembled the walking dead that ought to live in this part of the world.

South were on the back foot for the majority of the first half, struggling to find a way out of defence. The usually sure footed South rear-guard found it difficult to cope with the Wisbech attack, particularly when they found that our left side was rather less robust than is normally the case. With Benedikz struggling with illness and Jackson and Gowing, standing in for 1st team absentees, struggling to find their feet, the South left side had "welcome to our goal" written all over it. On the other side of the pitch, the ever assured Bleachy was faring better, snuffing out danger with the help of Snetler at right mid. But the fabled "diamond" midfield was all too transparent.

Mid way through the half Wisbech made good on their attacking promise, slotting home a loose ball to make it 1-0. They added another before half time after a bit of a scramble in the South D. On the few occasions that South found the opposite half of the pitch there was much running and effort but little end product. Baker slipped a delicate ball through for Rowland to run on goal but the Wisbech keeper was out quickly to smother the danger. Forrest lived up to his nickname with some quick bursts all over the place, but without really threatening anything.

But Baker wasn’t made captain for just any old reason. Nope, he was specially selected for his key motivational skills, man management ability and excellent track record at the cutting edge of hockey. Oh, and he was also the only person available to do the job. Surveying his repertoire of team talks, he decided to go with the hair drier treatment this time. It wasn't pretty, but it did the trick.

In the second half South came out, well, perhaps not fighting as such, but certainly ready for a bit of handbags. Matching the Wisbech effort, they managed to nullify their attacks and start to gain a foothold in the game. The midfield were more committed, which gave Thorpe, Bleach and Benedikz some much needed protection. This gave Readman time and space in front of the defence. And behind the defence, and anywhere else on the pitch he deigned to go.

Some good movement and passing from South soon opened up the Wisbech defence and gave Baker a clear sight of goal. Usually so deadly in the D, this time he trod on the ball and the opportunity was gone. South continued to press and forced a succession of short corners but they couldn't capitalise on them, only once forcing a clearance on the line from the defence. Another good attacking move put Gowing through but the ball just ran away from him. With the clock ticking down the South defence decided to try to show the attackers how it was done. First up was Thorpey, exchanging quick passes with Forrest down the centre of the pitch but unfortunately no goal. Next up the direct dribbling of Readman, which was fortunately more productive. Drawing defenders out of position with his run, he slipped a slide rule pass into the path of Forrest who dispatched the ball into the corner of the net past the despairing dive of the onrushing keeper.

2-1 down, ten minutes to go and South could smell blood. Wisbech were being pushed back and were making mistakes. Finally, some determination from South and the final push gave them the barely-deserved draw. Readman again coming forward and causing problems for Wisbech. A neat passing move in the midfield involving most of the team, a classic South build up of patience and probing. The final ball exquisitely into the path of Forrest who didn't disappoint with a neat finish under the Wisbech keeper. So, 2-2 at the end but let’s face it lads, we got lucky.