Cambridge United women played in front of a crowd of 932 in their Womens National League game at the Abbey on Sunday. They were playing at the home of Cambridge United for the second time this season in a rearranged fixture against Norwich City, following an abandonment of the fixture in February.
Norwich started fast, forcing Lauren Webb into a close range save within the first two minutes, and looked to have taken the lead 4 minutes later, but an offside flag sparing Cambridge early on.
The U’s responded well and found themselves ahead on the scoreboard, thanks to a stunner from Cheale-Ferris. A corner the ball was returned to its taker - Brook Cheale-Ferris who took advantage of the strong winds to curl the ball over the Norwich keeper and into the top corner from 30 yards.
There was little action until the 25 minute mark when Sammy Edgar brought down Rachel Lawrence in the box, picking up a booking and giving Norwich a penalty which was dispatched by Hope Strauss. This was the start of a tough period for Cambridge as 3 minutes later Norwich were in front through Natasha Snelling, who got on the end of a low cross to finish into an empty net.
Cambridge looked to respond shortly after the half hour mark, Bella Simmons’ long range effort narrowly over the bar and Rachel Kosky’s low driven cross stopped at the front post. It was a positive response from the home team in front of a large crowd.
Norwich started the second half fast once again, and added to their lead after 50 minutes through Snelling again following a quick counter attack from Lawrence.
Just before the hour Manager Darren Marjoram was forced into a change when Bella Simmons came of worse in a challenge, Gisela Otten coming on to replace her and triggering a shuffle of the formation.
The U’s pulled a goal back on 70 minutes when Kosky sent Ruth Fox running down the wing, and with a pull back to Alysha-Stojko down, our top scorer was composed in her finish to give Cambridge hope going into the final 20 minutes and make the score 3-2.
Lauren Webb kept the U’s in the game with a string of outstanding saves, with an excellent dive into the top corner to tip a thunderous effort on the bar standing out and gearing up the crowd.
Harley-Jean Simpson came on with 15 minutes to go in place of Serena Cobb, who received treatment shortly before, to give more attacking threat to the momentum of the U’s and look for an equaliser.
Norwich scored a 4th with 10 minutes to go. The wind affecting a corner from Holly Kennard caused confusion in the box and the ball found its way into the Cambridge goal.
Late injuries slowed the game down and after 10 minutes of added time the referee blew the final whistle to confirm a 4-2 loss for the U’s.
Cambridge will be back in action on this Sunday - 14th April, at St. Neots Town FC for a huge derby against Cambridge City, Kick-off 2pm.
Cambridge United: Webb, Kosky, Rouse, Cheal-Ferris, Marden, Edgar, Smith, Cobb, Simmons, Otten (56'), Stojko-Down, Fox
Subs Not Used: Simpson, Gillies, Rogers, Horsler
Goalscorers: Cheal-Ferris (10'), Stojko-Down (70')
Bookings: Edgar
Attendance: 932 (CUWFC Record)