City of Peterborough M3 - Cambridge South M2

COP finish 2nd last season by a few points and declined promotion during the off season shuffle. So South knew they needed to bring their A game and after a strong training session Wednesday, were well up for it. Even with loosing 6 players from last week’s squad of 15, this week’s team of 13 didn’t take long to settle in and it was great to welcome back Dave A and Douglas.

The first half saw COP push hard and impart a lot of pressure on the South defence, Ali and Maz putting in some strong tackles and distributing the ball well, with Henry looking dangerous in the middle, even after giving blood before the game! That said, COP were good at upgrading in the circle and won many a short corner. These were all comfortably dealt with by Big Dave in goal who was on fire.

As the half progressed South started to find their feet, moving the ball well and creating some half chances. A massive shift was put in by all and the half ended 0-0.

Second half South stepped up more, the press worked well and COP started to pass the ball off the side lines or tried to dribble through the middle. South moved the ball well and put in the hard yards for each other, this resulted in a short corner. Jacko had visions of burying it bottom corner, but a big deflection saw the shot lob the keeper instead. 1-0 to South.

COP were still dangerous from time to time and were awarded a contentious short corner which they converted. 1-1. This spurred South on even more. The work rate in the middle was top notch. Puds and John covered a lot of ground. Pass completion and movement off the ball improved further and South looked like another goal was imminent - Jim, Olly and Will all applying pressure.

Sadly this wasn’t to be, a couple more shorts were won, but luck was with the home side as a break saw them ship it down the other end and pass it around Dave, 2-1 COP.

South fought hard to the end, had most of the possession and territory in the second half was in their favour but it wasn’t to be. COP did their best to run down the clock after taking the lead, South battling to the final whistle.

End result was 2-1 to COP, South feeling hard done by and disappointed, but a lot of positives to take away and on to the next game. Well played lads.

MoM - GK Dave, some top saves to keep South in it early on.
Lemon - Jacko for pretending to squirt un-showered Dave with shower gel only to find the lid was off!