Goal-scoring instinct proved pivotal in a well-contested game against Ely 2s. Goals from Mr Chalk and Mr Coltman guided the M3s to the second win of the season.

The first half was gritty and there were few highlights to mention. Ely had a number of short corners but were unsuccessful in their endeavours. The M3s took the first half to get used to playing with each other, having only half of the players from the first match of the season. This was not helped by the cold suffered by Mr Dias, leaving him bed-bound and unable to play.

For the remaining members of the M3s, though, the half-time inspiration seemed to galvanise the team. Most notable was the plea from Mr Chalk not to play blind and first-touch passes while inside our half of the pitch. This seemed to fall on at least one set of deaf ears: 30 seconds into the second half, Mr Menzies resumed his masterclass in deft flicks. Perhaps the highlight of these was a clever step over to leave the ball to an Ely foot. Such skilful methods of earning free hits inside our own 25 may not catch on, though.

As the game continued, the M3s grew into the game, becoming the dominant side in open play. The barrage of short corners did continue. But Ely were no match for Mr Moore. Of his many saves, probably the best was the head-height deflection over the bar. This was one of the saves that earned a well-deserved Man of the Match award. The only goal that Ely scored seemingly went through the entire M3s defence, ultimately being deflected a yard or two from the goal line.

But this was no match for the M3 forwards. From one of our own short corners, a deflection bounced up into one of the Ely goal line defenders. As it bounced off the face mask, Mr Chalk was first to react and charged in to fire the bouncing ball home. 

The second goal, scored by Mr Coltman, was the finishing touch to an excellent counter attack. With no more than 5 passes, the ball flew from the centre of defence, through the left side of the pitch and up to a hopeful striker. A good near-post save left the ball free in the D. Once again, the M3s were first to the ball and Mr Coltman coolly finished the move into an empty net. 

However, perhaps the most notable events of the day occurred after the game. There were few moments worthy of a lemon vote; the only two green cards were handed out to frustrated Ely players. But it was at the bar that lemon was most clearly earned. Having initially arrived half asleep, Mr Jones made a valiant attempt to purchase an alcohol-free beer. But the bar staff were unforgiving, not allowing any sorrows to be drowned after a terrible slip while completely uncontested on the ball. No ID meant no alcohol-free beer and no escape from being the clear winner of the Lemon of the Match vote.