"Once more unto (Wis)bech dear friends, once more, or close the goal up with our South defence"

At least that was the plan. Sadly Wisbech 3rds had other ideas, and decided that our goal was very much open, with 2 goals scored in 2 minutes at the start, 4 more at random intervals, and a flurry of 3 as CSouth M6s tired at the end. It could have been many more but for the heroic efforts of GK Jo Lynch, who "fought from morn to even" with at least 8 great saves including one worldie with an outstretched stick.

"When the blast of the whistle blows in our ears" before the start saw the umpires organising a moving minute's silence for Rememberance Day, impeccably observed by all players, aged 13 to 63.

The call "On on you noblest Southerners" was obeyed throughout as the away team "Stiffened the sinews", and "summoned up the blood", defending courageously, never giving up, constantly trying to play wisely and calmly "like heros on the astro", notably Will Burscough, including one spectacular aerial forehand block and a hit to the body from a Wisbech strike. Fellow back Waldo limped off with a hamstring problem after half time preventing him from continuing his noble efforts to stem the tide. Three other players received body blows (all accidental) as they were "Assailed by the (sadly not in the least bit) wasteful) opposition"

We tried to keep goalside of swift and tricky young Wisbech forwards, not diving in; We adopted sound tactics, defending in numbers, using long thumping hits when required, and trying to use the width of the pitch. Team Talmage (Dan & James) epitomised the "action of the tiger" throughout in their controlled battling and turning defence into attack. Lonesome Shabhaz Ali up front, cheered on by the away fans (all two of them vs the massed ranks of at least 50 lively home supporters), got few opportunities, but kept guiding and prompting teammates to find space and be available for passes that sadly were largely snuffed out by a home team just relegated from a higher division, to which they will most likely return.

We stood, we strained, we stretched, we held hard, we bent down to every tackle, and were never overwhelmed

But

It wasn't enough

Nevertheless...a sunny early evening, a brave collective team effort, fine post-match teas, a magnanimous opposition team, and Newcastle United won

Onwards to welcome St Ives 5ths next week

[Editors note - somehow this has got entered on to the League website as a 9-0 win rather than a 9-0 defeat. It will be corrected relatively soon I expect, but it makes for nice (albeit fantastical) reading for now!]