It was a bright and surprisingly mild early-ish start for the M5s, which began with an impromptu kickabout with a stray football whilst the first arrivals waited for the rest of the team to assemble on Newmarket’s sun-drenched pitch.

Newmarket M3 hosted Cambridge South M5 in a crucial league encounter that saw the visitors emerge victorious with a well-earned 3-1 win. Cambridge South dominated the first half, taking a 2-0 lead into the break. Despite a late push from Newmarket, Cambridge South sealed the result with a composed second-half performance. The victory strengthened Cambridge South's adjusted position in the league table, while Newmarket will be left to reflect on missed opportunities to create more chances.

The match started at a blistering pace, with Cambridge South asserting early control through their structured passing and high pressing. The opening goal arrived within 5 minutes when Josh secured the lead with a deflection from a superbly taken penalty corner. Newmarket struggled to cope with the visitors’ intensity, and within 10 minutes, Cambridge South doubled their lead through one of Ash’s trademark strikes.

Newmarket returned with renewed energy after the break, pushing higher up the field. Their efforts paid off early in the half when Cambridge South lost concentration and allowed Newmarket to round the advancing keeper and score.

With the score at 2-1, Newmarket continued to apply significant pressure but only managed to force a couple of saves from Miles in goal.

Cambridge South recovered their composure and responded smartly, maintaining defensive discipline and regaining their majority possession. Their persistence paid off when a quick break led to their third goal and Ash’s second.

South could have scored many more — open goals were missed, a couple of strikes failed to connect altogether, and Newmarket’s keeper (ex-South player Jon B) made numerous crucial saves to save Newmarket’s blushes.

There were several POM-worthy performances across the team, but the final vote went to Chris for bossing the midfield. Somehow, Ash managed to avoid winning the Lemon vote by a landslide, and Chris and Miles battled it out with a “nail-biting” arm wrestle — the loser and subsequent Lemon, somewhat unsurprisingly, being the non-rock-climbing teenager