Cambridge looking confident in their third game of the season

This week saw Cambridge face the other newly-promoted team in Midlands 1A, University of Worcester, at Fitz. The Blues got off to a great start with a pass through to the striker, Sophia D’Angelo, who played it out to the right wing to Liz Ashcroft who beat a player then crossed it straight into the top corner of the goal. Worcester responded with a counter-attack but an excellent touch by Linnea Gradin prevented them from getting any success. The Blues then won a free-kick in their half for Gerda Bachrati to take and send in behind their defence but the Worcester keeper got there first. The Blues do well to keep the ball in their half and excellent tracking by Katy Edwards ensured Worcester did not have any opportunities to break. In possession, the Blues grew in confidence with combination play between midfielders Temi Adeyemi and Isabel as well as using the fullbacks Gerda and Natalie Faktor. Worcester do eventually break through the defence but centre-back Fiona Conlon is consistent in blocking any shots. A goal-kick for the Blues makes it through to Sophia who plays back to Natalie who plays it to Katy to take a shot which leaves the crossbar shaking. At the other end of the pitch, Laura Bleehen is having a good game in goal by picking up any through balls before their striker reaches it to prevent any chances before the end of the half.

The second half sees the Blues maintain possession involving the whole team and they begin to incorporate play between the winger and fullback that they have been focusing on this week in training, with Natalie’s cross being saved by the keeper. An opportunity was created when Katy switched the play to the left, where Daisy Luff cleverly cut inside and had a great shot on goal which was heading for the top right corner but was well-saved at the last minute and Sophia was unfortunate not to convert the rebound. Worcester continued to send long balls but the Cambridge defence did well to win balls both in the air and on the ground. Another chance was created by Isabel who took a touch into space on the edge of the box and hit a powerful shot just over the crossbar. Sophia then earns a free-kick which is sent into the box by Liz for Linnea to shoot but her effort is saved by the keeper. The final few minutes are tense for the Blues, with Worcester having a free-kick on the edge of the 18-yard box. However, the Cambridge wall blocks the powerful shot, allowing a quick counter-attack and a well-placed cross by Temi is met by Henny Horsler, who takes a touch and sends it into the bottom left corner of the goal with her left foot, making it 2-0 and an important three points for the Blues.

Written by Zoe Cohen & Jamie Cyr

Photo by Zoe Cohen