Cambridge South II’s rocked up at Ely with 11 fairly fit players, having stolen Tom Watson from the III’s. That didn’t last long as Manu soon informed the acting Captain that he had ‘done his back’ - however many of the team, and certainly the opposition, were not aware of this as his performance fully disguised this injury.

South began showing their intent to stick to a short passing game with some nice play all over the park stringing passes together. Shortly however Ely’s speedy right wing burst through from the half way line, running an inside channel that beat everyone and slipping the ball inside for a neat Ely finish.

Both sides were passing nicely and competing in midfield, but Ely were the more incisive: A loose pass in midfield was made the most of by Ely as they drove into our D, and winning a short corner that they converted. Another skilful run from one of their more forward players took him into the D where he somehow evaded what seemed like an easy tackle to make by Sanjay, before hitting the ball with a sight lift over the diving Shahbaz and into the net to make the score now 0-3..

Cambridge however kept composure - it was only small errors that seemed to have been punished and cost them, rather than across the park domination. Dave Monk and Ian G in defence were making sweet tackles and keeping Ely at Bay. Meanwhile Manu and Tom Anns continued to distribute from the full back position. Tom Ann’s day took a turn for the worse as he strained in pursuit of the speedy Ely right wing, and tore a muscle painfully that saw him leave the park for a while, before returning to stalk (hobble around) the opposition goal.

Nearing the end of the half a pass across midfield to Tom Watson found him in plenty of space, from where he had time to send a perfectly weighted and angled though ball flying into the D for Rob Barton to chase. The ‘Dog (now) in the D‘ latched on and seeing the onrushing keeper masterfully dragged the ball across to round him. However as he was completing his side step with the open-goal beckoning his trailing leg was taken by the keeper. A penalty flick was awarded, to which Bhav stepped up and duly converted with an expert finish to the bottom-left that left the keeper no chance.

Buoyed by the upturn in scoreline South went into the second half believing and knowing that more was possible. Tim Clapp now in left midfield provided strong attacking support, linking up well with Richard Claes at left back. South were indeed beginning to dominate proceedings around the centre of the park, having improved their shape and structure at half time, with Tom Watson in dynamo mode. 4 short corners, as compared with 0 for the first half, were won, but unfortunately none were converted.

Ely were tiring whilst South seemed to be getting stronger. South’s roving attacks made the most of Tom Ann’s superlative ‘movement’ to find him unmarked in the D 5 yards form goal. In true time honoured defenders’ tradition he took a huge wind up and made a sweet hard connection with the ball. - Unfortunately not towards the goal ;)

Tom found himself in the same situation not long after, and with the same result. - However ‘acting’ captain Sanjay was pleased he was getting into these goal-scoring positions, utterly bamboozling the opposition with his total inability to move.

A long corner from the right hand side, with lots of players in close support to break up and move the opposition ring around, led to a fantastic ball slap-hit hard into the D from Rob Barton, travelling along a clear channel until finding Rich Claes roving up from left back who swept home skilfully first time against the backboard. The report writer has been requested to write here that, “Rob Barton actually passed and allowed someone else to score”. It was indeed a fine pass!

2-3.

Unfortunately for South there was not enough time left on the clock, and Ely breathed a sigh of relief as the final whistle blew.

South can be proud of their collective attitude and improving team play which will no doubt get themselves up the table in due course, and a win against these opponents is targeted in the return fixture.