Men's 3rd XI Vs Nottingham Players 3

Playing to their strengths of packing the midfield, defending in numbers and then playing early forward balls to utilise the front four of Max, Mike, Fletcher and Jonny, South again created chances and could have taken an early lead but Johnny and Tom we’re to be denied by good saves. South did go behind but responded quickly and a well worked short corner brought them level through Max, who had earlier made his first team debut as an injury replacement. However with committing men forward South were always exposed to the quick break and despite Tom, Batts and James doing their best to stop the overload the ball fell kindly and South went in at the break 2-1 down.

The second half continued much in the same was as the first. Possession was dominated by Players but despite some pretty play it didn’t lead to many chances and what did look promising was broken down by Tom C, Batts and Dylan, who curbed his attacking instincts after coming on to replace the injured James. A short corner did lead to Players going 3-1 up. Batts tried every part of his body to keep it out but still it went in!

Unlike yesterday where heads dropped South pushed forward and with Andy breaking up any counter attack with some nifty footwork, the overload led to two quick goals from Mike and Jonny. Players tried to respond, but again their pretty hockey didn’t lead to much and early balls to the forward four led to further chances, and despite some excellent goalkeeping Max was on hand to tap in after excellent build up play from Jonny and Mike.

The last ten seemed like an eternity however Fletcher, Andy, Dylan, Tom C and Batts kept Players at bay and even when the ball did fall kindly somebody was on hand to throw themselves in front of the shot. 

The quick break was always on for South, and with a minute to go some fast, direct, build up play by Jonny, Fletcher and Mike left Jake at the back post to tap in.  

An excellent performance, that on the back of yesterday was even more sweet! I suspect if it had been said that we’d take 6 points from a possible 9 against three of the runaway top 5 people would have thought you mad. The reality is we should maybe have taken all 9