The M6s started with the confidence of a one-match winning streak, the usual Baz-led warm up, and a subtly adjusted 4-3-3 formation. Skipper Andy Thomas had already made his bid for the Lemon award by dropping out on the morning of the game due to an unspecified lurgi, leaving us with 12.

Unfortunately it was Peterborough M8s who dominated the first half with their central spine of skilful fifty-somethings running the show and cutting out most counter attacks with ease. They were only mildly discombobulated by one of their young teammates seeing green after attempting a javelin throw with his stick. The umpires, who controlled the game excellently and calmly throughout, took a dim view.  At this stage CSouth's best hopes were through rumbustious Ky Ho dribbling upfield from right back, and lively James Raikes putting in some terrific crosses from the by-line.

The away team took a deserved lead after a short corner move which beat the otherwise immaculate keeper Joe L, but after half time encouragement to keep the ball away from the 3*50s and use the width of the pitch...that's what we did. The effective midfield three of James Yu, Baz Roberts, and Wilco Dijkstra orchestrated things centrally, short corners were won, and a number of goal bound shots from Shabhaz Ali and stand-in captain John Greaves were saved by the annoyingly excellent Peterborough keeper.

The home team cause was not helped by central defender Sean Gardiner requesting a rest a couple of times from the umpires. That's not how Sean expressed it(more via some leaning, arm waving and chuntering), but green and yellow resulted. Luckily the other defender, the increasingly authoritative TaylorHoBurscough, was able to keep the opposition at bay, and regularly turn defence into attack...when not accidently replicating that javelin stick throw that is.

And then left winger Henry Green stole the show with a run and unstoppable thunderbolt shot to claim the equaliser and MoM award in front of his GCSE PE assessor. If he doesn't get a 9 or A* or whatever is top marks these days, there is something wrong with the system.

The game ended with Peterborough seeking the winner, helped for the final 2 minutes by CSouth being reduced to nine men, when that man Greaves saw green when he attempted to match some aggressive shoulder-based away defending in their D with some marginally late tackling. This was but a variation on the greenness shown to centre forward Shabhaz earlier in the game for an unintentional shoulder barge on the sweeper.

Nevertheless we held out to take a deserved draw with a sound team performance where everyone played their part, supported each other, and adapted well during the game.

Onwards to Long Sutton