Men's 4th XI Vs Mansfield 5

The 4s travelled to Mansfield on a dull grey day but were fortunate that the only rain during the match was quite light and in the final quarter of an hour.  In the absence of captain Tony, whose steadiness in central defence was missed, Ken led the side.

The game started with action at both ends, Adams (B and H) and Grahams (M and J) holding the defence, Paul and Stan trying to create opportunities in attack.  However, Mansfield built up pressure, attacking in numbers.  One of these attacks, with players unmarked and leaving Simon, in goal, exposed, led to a goal.  South found it difficult to pass the ball out from the back to their own players and one of these, intercepted by Mansfield, led to a second goal, again with attackers not properly marked.

Greg came on at both left and right back for only his second game, making some strong tackles and good clearances.  James M and Dan in the middle, ably assisted by Cole and Norman on the wings, started creating more opportunities, one of which led to a short corner.  Ken’s shot from the corner did not find a way through but Paul picked up the loose ball and slotted in for South.  2-1 down at half time.

Mansfield had some very skilful youngsters attacking successfully in the centre and on their right, assisted by strong experienced players.  Left back Adam B increasingly got the measure of his young opponent, leading to greater success in stopping some of the attacks.  Cole was strong on the left, holding off numerous challenges and sending crosses into the middle.  Adam H, Norman and Dan had good forays down the right.  A number of opportunities were created but Stan, Paul and Ken  who took up good positions in the D but they were unlucky in not getting the accurate final touch on a few occasions.

Mansfield’s pressure increased and resulted, unfortunately, in three further goals, two of which were scrambled in despite sterling efforts to stop them by Simon and Graham M at the back. The third was a well taken goal, with a youngster skilfully getting to the goal line inside the D before sending it back to his team-mate to finish.

South persisted and pressure was rewarded when Cole was able to shoot from the centre of the D, with a deflection off a Mansfield player ensuring that the keeper had no chance – the first of many goals from Cole will score for South.

Final score:  Mansfield 5 – 2 South