Cardea played at Bushfield for the sixth time in seven weeks but this time it was an away game with Woodston hosting. The forecast freezing weather held off and the game was played in perfect football conditions.

Anton Fountain came back in goal for Cardea, Adam Simons was deployed at right back with Tom Rimes starting left back. Mike Dandrilli and Tom Broughton led the Cardea attack.

Referee Nicolae Manolescu blew the whistle to start the game and Cardea kicked off. It wasn't long before Cardea created the first chance after a good ball from Daniel Robinson set Broughton running through the middle, the keeper came running out and made a good smothering save just inside his 18 yard box.

The next chance, 10 minutes in, fell to Broughton's strike partner Dandrilli who ran through the middle in similar style but this time the keeper mistimed his tackle and took out the striker, luckily for Woodston it was outside the area. Michael Williams stepped up to take the kick and the keeper held his shot at the second attempt.

Cardea were creating all the chances, however Woodston caught them on the counter attack 15 minutes in. Goalkeeper Fountain beat the attacker to the first ball but his kick was cut out by a Woodston player who had a 3 on 2 attack on the goal but his shot was well saved at Fountain's near post and cleared for a throw by Rimes.

With 20 minutes gone Simons took a free kick on the half way line and he fired it long onto the edge of the Woodston penalty area and Aaron Yeoman got on the end of it and fired it just wide on the half volley.

The same two players combined again for the opening goal. Broughton was fouled on the edge of the Woodston box and Yeoman took the free kick. Instead of swinging the ball into the box he laid it back to Simons who lashed the ball into the top corner of the goal from 20 yards. It was Simons first league goal of the season.

Woodston almost hit straight back as their right winger got in behind the Cardea defence and crossed in from the byline but the shot from six yards hit the post and went wide.

Just after 30 minutes played and the lead was doubled. Dandrilli surged forward on the left side and played an inch perfect ball into the area to Robinson who kept his composure and slotted the ball under the oncoming keeper to score his first league goal of the season.

Woodston started to attack more towards the end of the half and forced a succession of corners, from the final one the ball ricocheted around the box before falling to a Woodston player who drilled the ball through a crowd of players and into the back of the net.

Half time arrived with the game closer than it should have been with Cardea holding just a one goal lead. The half time changes saw Tom Greetham and Brendon Chapman come on for Dandrilli and Daryl Patrick. Adam Simons took over the responsibility of captain and Patrick could have a rest after struggling through the first half with a bad hangover!!

Cardea began the second half quickly with Greetham at the centre of the action. Firstly Kynan Bereznyckyj won the ball in midfield and played in the striker who shot wide. Minutes later and Greetham was involved in an altercation with a Woodston midfielder that earned the pair a yellow card each. On the fifty minute mark a long throw from Robinson fell to Greetham at the back post and his half volley was blocked by the Woodston defence.

Cardea were in full control of the game now and Rimes had a chance from a corner but his header went wide, Robinson also had a chance to score a second but his shot was saved by the keeper.

Cardea finally added a third with 20 minutes to go when Robinson got in behind the defence on the left and his low cross was swept in by Greetham through the legs of the keeper. Following his disappointment at the start of the half a pumped up Greetham gave the Woodston keeper a few choice words and ran off celebrating!!

The points were secured with 10 minutes to go with Simons scoring his second of the game. Aaron Yeoman, who had put himself about all morning, was fouled 35 yards out. Greetham laid the ball 5 yards to the side and Simons ran up and belted a 30 yard effort through the crowd of players awaiting the free kick and into the bottom corner of the goal.

The frustration of the Woodston players was typified towards the end of the game when their striker, who was already in the book for a foul, talked himself into a second yellow and an early bath when he swore at the referee.

The Cardea defence had been solid for the whole game in open play with Simons, Harper, Williams and Rimes all ensuring the ball was cut out before it got to the attacker and rarely letting anyone in behind them. They were also quick to turn defence into attack in the last few minutes and it led to Chapman running through the middle in a 4 on 3 attack with options either side of him, he chose to pass right to Patrick, who had come back on for Robinson, but his shot went just wide of the post.

The ref brought the game to a close and the 3 goal difference was enough to take Cardea back to the top of the league above Fenland Police on goal difference.

After the game manager Kev Webster said: "From the first whistle it was clear we were up for this game and that showed throughout the 90 minutes. Only a handful of chances went their way in a game we controlled very well despite the opposition using dirty tactics and constantly moaning.

"Tom Greetham's volley was not only a good goal but his reaction to scoring was very funny. Well done to man of the match Aaron Yeoman for his tireless work in midfield, it was a close run decision with Simons also a contender. We have some big games ahead so we need to keep this momentum going."

Cardea's next match is on Sunday 24th November away to Guyhirn. A match made even more interesting following Guyhirn's Cambs Cup victory over league rivals Fenland Police today.