Cambridge South saved their best for the end, when the support of the Ladies First XI helped them in this their second game of the season. After sweeping aside the Men’s Second XI 4-0 last week, confidence was high but Harlow proved to be a sterner test and after 45 minutes the home side were 3-0 down. But with the stands starting to fill, the burgeoning home support spurred South to an unlikely comeback that ended with the score 4 goals apiece.

As is customary at this stage of the season, there were a number of changes from the team that played in the previous match. With regular captain Cheggers still absent (no one seems to know where or, perhaps more importantly, who with) the returning vice-captain Forrest took up the reigns for the day. With Lukas also back in the team we were back to our traditional front-line. Lino returned in goal (despite conceding 4 the previous week...), and Chris ‘Curly’ Massey was also back – this time on a more permanent basis after his studying in Durham came to an end.

South started the match intending to make it ‘fortress Leys’ and their purposeful play brought them the majority of the possession. Eliot was covering almost every inch of the pitch and was an important force at both ends of the field. Flash was distributing balls well from left mid, and Curly was the often much-needed calming influence in the middle of the park. A changed back-line of Morgan The Organ, Graveling, Chopper and Psycho gelled together well and were easily halting the Harlow advances. Unfortunately, at the other end of the pitch our final ball was often slightly off, and we were unable to capitalise on our possession. Half-chances fell to Lukas, Eliot and Forrest but none could be converted. And almost inevitably, as we pushed forward, Harlow scored a break away goal that left Lino with a 2 on 1 situation. Soon after, the away side doubled their lead and although we pressed forward we were unable to find a way back into the game.

We started the second half with renewed vigour but soon found ourselves 3 down. This served only to spark the home side in to life as they (finally) worked out where the goal was. The first goal came from the instrumental Eliot (man of the match in the post-match vote), sweeping home a cross from Forrest. Tim Waller scored the second, pushing the ball through the keepers legs from a few yards out. Forrest then grabbed the equaliser when a Lukas cross flicked off his stick, clipped a defender’s stick, bounced off the ‘keeper and bobbled over the line. Hey, they all count. With the hard work done, South fatally stepped off the gas and allowed Harlow back in the game and suddenly it was 4-3 down with less than 10 minutes to play. Fortunately man of the moment Tim Waller was on hand again to clinically steer home his second of the game to ensure the spoils were shared.

The final moments of the game were open and frenetic as both sides attempted to take advantage of some early-season tiredness in the defender’s legs but despite being put through by the courteous Flash, Harlow were unable to grab a winner.

Flash redeemed himself post-match by steering the opposition to the wrong pub and thus ensuring that we had all the food to ourselves – thanks Flash! [Note: if anyone from Harlow is reading this, we’re sorry for the misunderstanding that must have taken place. We gave instructions for the Hat & Feathers pub, but the Red Bull is the first pub you come to on Barton Road and I guess someone wanted his beer a little bit sooner than that].

Finally, a mention to John Benedikz, aka Psycho, aka first team bitch. He won the inaugural ‘Gimp of the Day’ award for the pre-match shirt mix-up.