Men's 3rd XI Vs Burton 4

This rearranged fixture was thrown into turmoil as the visitors experienced a breakdown en route to the match meaning pushback was delayed by half an hour and South had to provide a player to make a bare 7 so the match could begin. (Thanks Mr Wallace).! 

As ever in games with mismatched numbers, the underdogs packed the D and kept out the marauding South for at least 15 mins - even earning their own short corner as the hosts pushed higher and higher up the pitch trying to unlock the Burton defence. 

The experienced Burton back line cut out every pass into the D and the diminutive keeper was on fire, closing down any attack and saving any shot that came toward goal. 

South eventually broke the deadlock when Gary & Ellz combined to eliminate the keeper with smart passing and set up James Bellamy to open his account from close range.  1-0

This seemed to give South a lift and the passing improved across the whole team, a lovely move involving most of the team found its way to Ellz who tried to square the ball to Grozzy for a tap in, but the keeper anticipated and intercepted with his toe.. The resulting clearance found Craig Lawson who drove in to the D and fired in a rocket half way up the back board to make it 2-0.

Just as the raft of Burton’s cavalry arrived to make the numbers even, another quality move saw James B grab his second, 3-0! 

James almost made it a first half hat-trick with a fierce reverse that clipped the bar on its way to goal.. 

The visitors barely troubled the south defence (Batty, Brainz, Adam B, Craig L with sub help from Arthur & Andy W) so keeper Mark Doney was barely used apart from a lightning response to cut out a rare through ball to a young Burton striker - solid work! 

Half time came and went very quickly to allow the following match to get underway, the message from the skipper and the experienced South sages was to keep the quality and accuracy of passing high as we looked to maximise on our firm start. 

South’s midfield unit of Sharpie, James B, Gary, Hamza and young Fletcher Burton making his debut continued to run the game and create chances for the front pair Ellz & Grozzy, but the Burton defence and quality keeper kept South at bay. 

South grabbed another goal halfway into the 2nd half when a great move down the left found Andy W who fired a ball into the D, Ellz did his trademark step over dummy drawing the hapless defender, leaving Grozzy free to deflect past the keeper unopposed.  4-0.

A number of chances came and went with the Burton keeper making some fine saves and South making some poor choices, but overall a  good result with a clean sheet to boot. 

Thanks to Simon & Graham for keeping us in check! 

Onwards to Beeston next week!