So it turns out that if you don't bring cake to a L2s game (as expected), and the goods aren't delivered... well there is only one result... you get nominated LOM. 
 

After watching the L4s' impressive comeback against Kettering, the L2s were spurred on to face off against the current top of the league team, Spalding.  A strong team lined up on the South side.  The whistle blew and we were off! 
 

Tense moments came as Spalding pressurised the South D but Bryony (dependable as always) stepped in the way and Nic and Niamh made some great passes out of the D.  South coming away with the ball returned the favour to Spalding, pressuring the Spalding D with passes cleverly worked between Sophie (from the corner) to Hayley and Jess positioned at the top of the D, waiting to deliver the ball into the D.  

South, when pressed back by Spalding, worked the ball up the line with some beautiful triangles (which make South chests swell with pride) between Feline, Tamsin and Hayley. When the triangles were done, Charlotte drove forward like a bullet, working her way through Spalding midfielders to deliver the ball to the top of the D.  When the ball came out of the D, Rhi and Grace were there to recycle and deliver back into the D or down the wing for Liandi to run onto and drive along the baseline. 

The team worked tirelessly, prodding and probing the Spalding defence and the forwards worked to keep attacking opportunities alive and to work around the Spalding D.  Liandi always on the move, streaking around the D and Tiff making those early passes forward, did mean that South had some good opportunities but sadly none ended with the ball in the Spalding goal... 

Half time  

After a tactical talk from Paul (and he too was disappointed at the lack of cake after the game - you should have seen his face!), play resumed with South determined to push forward and work together as a team.  

In the last quarter of the game, South were richly rewarded with a strong flat clean ball diagonally across the D from Jess (maybe Hayley - I'm sorry the memory is a blur already) and there was Tamsin... dependable Tamsin waiting patiently on the right post of goal who calmly and calculatedly deflected the ball into the Spalding goal behind the Spalding goalie.  And who would guess, but that fabulous goal earnt Tamsin Player of the Match!

In the dying moments of the game, we must recognise the stalient effort of the L2s to keep working the attack.  One such glorious moment came when Jenny dove forward, V dragging, tapping left, tapping right, eliminating Spalding after Spalding of players but alas no outcome in the D.

All in all the L2s couldn't have been disappointed in how they played, just that the score did not reflect how equal the sides felt...

Finally, we must, of course, make note of the 6 balls that did work their way into the South goal... one was a penalty flick... enough said... final score 6-1 to Spalding. 
 

But, we must leave this report on a high!  Thank you to JJ and Adam for umpiring - great decision-making, listened to both sides and created a great game for L2s to face off the top of the league side.