Men's 3rd XI Vs Beeston 9

After a tough start to the season South 3's faced a young Beeston side hopeful of getting something despite losing players in the morning up the club.
 Beeston may have had a young side (despite old friend Richard Butler leading their line doing some serious damage to their average age) they were incredibly well drilled and had the nippiness to match and they took the lead midway through the fast half from a rebound after an excellent one on one save from Simon Recaldin in goal. South had already had big let offs after remarkable goalline clearances from Adam Board and Graham Johnson but this time their luck ran out as the ball fell kindly for the Beeston forward to sweep in. At the other end South had a few half chances, including a flick at goal off a short from skipper Craig Lawton which I think took even him by surprise, but couldn't convert them. Beeston duly doubled their lead from a short of their own on the stroke of half time.

Feeling that the 2-0 scoreline didn't do the play justice, South decided to come flying out the blocks in the second half and having moved  Adam higher up the pitch to aid this he won the ball on the halfway line and laid it off to Max Brinklow who drove forward and found strike partner Mike Shapland's run in behind. Mike squared it across goal and Fletcher Burton swept in. Unfortunately South weren't the only team to start the half well and Beeston restored their 2 goal lead through Butler. South weren't done though as they bounced back again immediately, with Max feeding Mike who drove forward holding off a couple of Beeston challenges all the way to the backline where he smashed the ball in and Max, having followed all the way, tapped home.

The game eased off after the manic start to the half and despite South having a few chances including Mike having a shot cleared off the line and Mark Roe sweeping just wide off a short, Beeston eventually put the game to bed with a late short corner routine. Ultimately it was a disappointing loss but on another day it could easily have gone our way and the youngsters continue to improve hugely every week.