The flickering embers of Cambridge South 2nds' promotion ambitions were all but extinguished by their fourth reverse of the season, away to a St Neots team who were held by South's 3rds only the previous weekend but who have turned their home turf into something of a fortress this season.

A very late start was rendered even later as a fifteen minute overrun from the previous game meant that the light was fading even as the teams pushed back. Certainly, the darkening gloom seemed to be reflected in South's soporific mode of play, the bite and snap of previous displays noticeably lacking early on. A return ball by right back Neil Sneade to sweeper Dave Monck, telegraphed and slow, that almost let the St Neots attack in for an early attempt at keeper Lino Di Lorenzo's goal, was typical of much of South's opening play.

Clearing the collective fuzz from their heads, South eventually began to move the ball around with a greater sense of urgency and purpose. Better ball retention, particularly in midfield, gave the opportunity for forays into the St Neots twenty-five as Daves Aston and Stock battled down the wings whilst Rob Barton and, especially, Mark Pears up front hared after balls played through into the channels. Rob did manage to get the ball into the goal, only to find that play had already been pulled back for an earlier infringement.

Just as South were looking to get a handle on the game though, things were thrown back into the melting pot by the mid-half substitution and rotations. With their twelfth man being, unusually for South this season, a defender, South deviated from what has been a cardinal rule and changed their defence mid-game. John Benedikz came in at left back for Ron Oren, who moved up into the defensive centre midfield position vacated by Matt Kern as he took captain Kev Rowland’s place in the corresponding attacking position. This apparently straightforward adjustment appeared to throw a collective spanner in South's works though, as a fog of uncertainty and positional confusion descended over the team. Suddenly, passes were going astray again and players were prevaricating on the ball, allowing St Neots to regain their shape and close men down.

With South's momentum dissipated, the match was more open and scrappy with gaps appearing at both ends. On the stroke of half time, South were punished for failing to clear a ball played down their left flank. South had sufficient numbers back but not in the right places and St Neots were allowed to centre the ball past Lino to find their centre forward standing completely alone, two feet from goal, for the easiest tap-in he'll have this season.

The resulting verbal bollocking from an enraged Monckosaurus (you wouldn't like him when he’s angry – some thought they could see him beginning to turn the same green as his shirt) was only interrupted by the half time whistle. After a somewhat more peppy, but equally fulsome, half-time team talk from captain Kev, South came out with more focus and determined to turn the game around.

A much improved second period performance followed. Although still struggling to find their 'A' game, greater commitment and hard work from the Southerners gave them the initiative as they searched for a way back into the match. The disciplined and canny St Neots defence were unmoving, though, and South were finding clear scoring chances few and far between. When South did manage to work themselves into a promising position in their opponent's D, too often the final delivery was lacking or else a pass out to an open player was forsaken for an attempt to play a direct ball through a crowded defence. The umpires were alive to any infringements and the somewhat stop-start pattern of play seemed to inhibit South's attempts to build a rhythm, while a St Neots player eventually saw green for repeated offences.

As the game drew towards its closing stages, South were forced to commit more players forward, with the consequence that Dave M and George Wych at the back found themselves having to be alert to St Neots breaks and the Cat was called on more than once to demonstrate his keeping prowess with some fine kicks and diving clearances.

At full time, a frustrated South were left ruing their failure to break down a stubborn and well organised St Neots side, whilst congratulating their opponents on a disciplined and effective display. Unbeaten league leaders Rutland await next week but, with nothing now at stake in league terms, there is no excuse for South not being brave and bold in their approach to their remaining fixtures.

After the match, captain Kev commented: "That was a bit of a shocker all round really, summed up by my falling over on my arse when tackled by a fourteen year old and exclaiming "Whoopsie!" *

*N.B. Quote used is indicative of general sentiments and may not be a strict reproduction of the captain's actual words.