Lack of availability costs Men’s 1’s

While it’s surely too early in the season to label this game a six-pointer, the stakes felt high as Bourne Deeping travelled to face Cambridge University’s 2nd XI with both teams winless after the opening two games.
A good pitch and a respite from the day’s rain welcomed the visitors and the game began at pace, the students rotating well up front and Bourne Deeping moving the ball patiently when in possession. Cambridge’s pace up front paid dividends when, halfway through the first half, a ball into the D was deflected in from the penalty spot by a sliding attacker arriving at speed.
This did nothing to dampen the visitors’ spirits, as, despite travelling with a bare eleven players and being up against a 16-strong squad, they were very much still in the game.
Half-time arrived with the score 1-0 and the match in the balance. The second half saw a strong start from the visitors, working the ball frequently into space in the left hand attacking corner of the pitch and winning short corners from there.
The pressure soon paid off when Andrew Kind, on his return to the side after injury, picked up a loose ball in the centre of the D and smashed the ball through the goalkeeper to level the scores.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Bourne Deeping pushed on and remained in the game for as long as their legs would allow. Those legs did inevitably tire and the students took full advantage, finishing off a counter attack impressively with a reverse strike to retake the lead.
This goal was the straw that broke the camel’s back, with the youngsters pulling away in the final ten minutes, adding three more quick goals - one drag flick from a short corner, one penalty stroke and one final goal from open play.
Another frustrating day for Bourne Deeping leaves them bottom of the table after three games and needing a victory to kickstart their season. There were, again, positives to take from the way they played but chances need to be finished more clinically when they arise.

Written by: Joe Youngs