Despite coming into today’s game top of the league, the boys were cautiously apprehensive ahead of the proceedings. March were a physical side who brought a great test for the Kingfishers. The boys were however, 2-0 up at the end of the first half following goals from Mark (short corner hit) and Will T (field goal). March came out of the blocks stronger for the second half, and brought the game to a cagey 2-1 in the 45^th minute – much to the excitement of the large and rowdy away support. South were able to keep their heads and bring the scoreline to a more comfortable 3-1 following a second Mark rocket from a short corner. Tim asserted South’s dominance in the 68^th minute with a short corner drag flick – full time 4-1 to Cambridge South.

Playing such an interestingly named opposition has got me in the calendar mood. So please see below what month of the year our M1s team today would be (me (Lindars) gentlemanly omitted for dozenly ease).

January - Tom

January, the first month of a new year. Although he may present as stuck in the past, due to his schoolboy attire, Tom’s arrival has brought a new age to the team. A versatile addition to our defensive half, Tom has been a great new presence and brought with him a very strong debut performance today. Let’s hope his resolution is to continue playing like he did today.

February - Barbie

February, the month of love. Barbie is the team’s loverboy. After only being in the side for a couple of weeks, Barbs has definitely charmed us. Whether its his questionable reverse carrying technique or interesting bus beers vessel, he’s found a place in the hearts of all the boys.

March – Tim

At times today, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Skipper was playing for the oppo team. Despite actually scoring for us, a somewhat uninteresting pregame talk, flip flaps onto his own big feet and a wayward aerial, all made it seem that Tim was trying to give March the edge wherever he could.

April – Sam

1^st of April.

May – Stan

Arguably the first month where the weather in this country turns for the best, Stan is a ray of sunshine to the team. Always checking in with his teammates, being the self-elected DJ and a rock between the sticks, Stan’s an all-round great bloke.

June – Nik

Given Nik’s recent training attendance, you would assume he still thinks that we are in the summer months with only Pay and Play to frequent. Despite this, Nik has found new life this season in a new position. CB come RB come RWB come “punching through” RW – Nikesh has been blitzing down our right-hand side, helping to unlock a new facet to the boys’ attacking arsenal.

July – Will T

July – a nice summery month full of sun and smiles… that might be the direction you think I’m going for with this selection. However, the summer heat also conveniently provides perfect conditions for a certain reptilian species. To give him credit, Townley had a good game today; Will slithered through the oppos press with ease and was able to bask in the glory of the first of many Will² goals. These efforts were, however, overshadowed by a venomous jab stick-tackle to break down a March counterattack, resulting in the King Kobra being awarded a green card.

August – Pearson

According to my limited research, August is prime time for harvest in the UK. And that’s exactly what Pearson has been doing so far this season. Scything down defenders in the press, ploughing through opposition lines and planting through balls to our forwards – 2 years into his hockey retirement, our resident farmer still can do it all.  

September – Ed

Ed has only recently come back into the side due to a delayed start to the season (following a near death experience on a slip and slide). Therefore, to Ed, it still feels likes he’s in September, and boy is he playing like it! Today, The Doust was galloping across our defence, not passing to opposition forwards, and sending in sneaky sliders - Ed looks like he’s still playing with fresh legs and a fresh mind.

October – The Wong

Eric has been like a man possessed this season, fitting this spooky month. Goal machine in the front, defensive rock at the back, The Wong strikes fear into all that oppose him. This man doesn’t care for a trick or treat; he will trick round your defenders and treat us to a sweet goal.

November – Bota

Bota is the young, bright spark of this team, perfect for the 5^th of November. Explosive from wingback, Bota rockets through the opposition’s press. Although sometimes overly elaborate like some firework shows, he always has everyone smiling in awe.

December – Mark

Christmas has come early for our Man of the Match. After 114 games without a goal, Inman had 2 presents for the opposition today. 2 top D rockets from 2 short corners had all the boys feeling very merry.