Having arrived with at least 2 comfortable minutes to spare before pushback, (some how I received lemon for lateness) and the rain now stopping, three things were immediately apparent to me. First, the team was super ready having practised short corners for ages, second, everyone was absolutely soaked by the rain and third Matt’s plans for subs (already complex) were now at PhD level. Did anyone have much of a clue? 

With just enough time left to make some sense of what we were supposed to do we began well threatening the St Neot’s goal. Substitutions followed as did a St Neot’s goal leading to a hasty change to yet another plan to avoid confusion in mid-field. Were the two further St Neot’s goals less than there would have been? Perhaps, certainly MOM Joe in goal helped in that cause, but we weren’t helping ourselves with giving the ball away and not quickly closing down attacks. St Neot’s were showing us the merits of accurate swift passing and clinical shots on target. It was 3-0. 

South though are never a team to give up and with some better passing moves found themselves with some short corners. Time to put all that practise into action. Option 1 was taken first – not bad – the ball went right across the front of goal, but no final touch. Option 2 then – a superb drag flick from Seb going in the top left if a defender hadn’t deflected it. So close. 

But what about a run up the left, pass to Jo, square pass to yours truly, deviate round the defender and then launch a shot to beat the keeper in the left bottom corner. Yes – that worked. 3-1. Could South pull off a come-back? 

With yet further changes to the substitution plan at half time we were motivated to move, compete, and challenge. Tips were shared - the ball out of play is a cue to run hard not take a kip for example. Fair point – being awake had to be helpful. 

And so it was in the second half with better passing hockey and improved possession. MOM Joe was still called upon to make saves, but the St Neot’s threat had lessened, and our threat had not. Further short corners followed. How about Option 2 with an indomitable Rob shot? Really close – perfect strike to the bottom left corner superbly saved. Still no short corner goal though. 

Could open play pay off again? Again almost – running the angles, advancing up the wings (except when tripped) and better passing meant Jordan, Nev and Dan all had half chances, but it was not to be. We finished the better team and were even told by our umpire that we had improved from when she last saw us. Soon that win will surely come.