Mens 2s vs Cambridge City M2

Magpies Mens 2s unbeaten in 2024

Magpies 2s kicked off 2024 with a home tie against Cambridge City 2s. The inclement weather had meant that no training had been possible since Christmas and so the worry was that those mince pies were still weighing a few of the senior members down. The team included a rare cameo from Galactico Leigh Sitch as well as welcoming back Ewe Cumming after his sterling season debut for the 2s just before the winter break. Cambridge 2nds arrived with a packed 4 man bench compared to the home team’s lonely substitute. Captain Spi Hipwell, in what turned out to be just the first error he made of the day, did however promise that fellow Galactico Tom Sumner would be arriving to bolster the squad and provide much needed defensive cover.

The game started with both teams showing a few signs of having to brush off the winter rust with a couple of stray passes and dodgy first touches on show. Cambridge started more strongly in possession however it was Harleston who had the first real breakthrough. A stunning ball down the line from Bedwell was collected by Josh Means and after a trademark push and run past the defender he squared the ball across the D. Unfortunately, striker Lascelles couldn’t quite get his stick on it to deflect in at the far post.

Cambridge soon made their possession count however winning a penalty corner after captain Hipwell, tripping over his own feet, clumsily booted the ball in his own D. The corner was fired in at GK Moss who parried the ball high into the air. Confusion reigned as the ball looped through the sky to fall almost vertically down into the goal. One nil Cambridge.

Magpies however were not going to lay down. Almost immediately they responded. Again, Bedwell was the attacking impetus. A daring soiree down the line saw him cut inside from the left. A classic 1-2 was played with the elder, competent Hipwell and Bedwell drove towards the opposition 25. Bedwell then unleashed a trademark thunderbolt into the opposition area. With pinpoint precision the ball knifed through the opposition defiance and found young Means who, with one faint touch, deftly deflected he ball over the onrushing goalie. One all and game on.

Both teams looked to break the deadlock. Cambridge shaded possession but with the defensive solidity of Bedwell, Taylor, Sitch and Cumming there were no clear. Ewe Cumming picked one shot off the line from a short corner and Bedwell cleared up a dangerous attacked after Spi Hipwell’s air shot clearance had allowed the away side acres of space on the right. Magpies only real concern defensively was when Ewe Cumming was briefly forced off after a thuggish encounter with his own teeth saw him bite his own lip. The team looked to the bench but T. Sumner was not there and so Ben Brand ably deputised at right back while Cumming saw to his wounds. Magpies looked to hit on the counter with their best chance coming from a penalty corner of their own. Bedwell (is there anything he can’t do?) again the provider only for Sitches deflection to be smartly saved by the opposition gk.

Magpies did however get the breakthrough they were looking for. Some smart interplay resulted in a saved shot but it was Lascelles who was quickest to react pouncing on the ball and calmly tucking the ball past the prone goalie. Magpies held the lead going into half time sighting their first win of the season.

The second half continued to follow a similar pattern to the first. Cambridge dominated possession but Magpies always looked threatening on the break. Sitch was sweeping up any potential threats that broke through the press and Taylor was displaying his usual array of excellent tackling in and around the D. Cambridge looked to press as they searched for the equaliser but were limited to mostly harmless penalty corners which were dealt with by GK Moss and his defence.

The 2s were unable to find the vital third goal that would have put the game to bed however in the end it was not needed as they held out for the win.

Magpies 2s 2 – 1 Cambridge City 2s