Cambridge United Women hung tough to secure a share of the points with Dulwich Hamlet, as the sides net two-a-piece at Champion Hill Stadium...
Sitting in 9th in the league table, and only five regular-season games remaining in the U's 2024/25 campaign, Marjoram's side faced an uphill battle as they travelled to Champion Hill in London, the home of Dulwich Hamlet, for a midtable clash. The last time the sides faced was at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, which saw the visitors claim a 0-2 victory over United.
The U's got off to a flying start, with Simmons netting the first in the fourth minute. Playing from the middle, Eva made a run on the left wing, a few attempts to beat her marker before she was able to create space and deliver her cross. A dual threat of Simmons and Wiltshire rushing into the area, caused issues for the scrambling defenders.
Bella produced a lunging effort to connect with the cross and nod the ball past the keeper and fire the U's to an advantage.
Dulwich were hasteful in snuffling out the Cambridge celebrations however, as the Hamlet fired back, pocketing an equaliser only two minutes after play resumed. The intensity from Dulwich straight from kick-off forced a corner which was greeted in the air by Gall, tying the game up and diminishing United's momentum.
The half panned out with back-and-forth play, and both sides having their chances, but unable to claim a further stake in the scoresheet heading into the break.
The U's came out with urgency in the second half, as they sought out another lead in a bid for the three-points. Following the precedent set from the first goal, United found the lead once again almost immediately in the half, this time coming in the 48th minute from an own-goal as the Dulwich defender fumbled the ball into their own net in an attempt to clear Hubbard's delivery.
Once again, the tide changed and Dulwich established momentum deeper into the half. Their efforts came to fruition in the 73rd minute when the hosts took full advantage of their corner. As the ball found the goalmouth, it fell to the wrong feet, and it was bundled past Webb to once again level the match.
With the 556 in attendance getting behind their side, The Hamlets piled pressure on for the remainder of the matchup, with Marjoram’s side digging in well to hold them to a draw.
Cambridge United: Webb, Rouse, Jackson, Finneran, Welham, Cobb (Edgar, 83’), Stojko-Down, Wodhams, Simmons (Marden, 69’), Wiltshire, Hubbard
Subs Not Used: Otten, Lempek, Smith
A gallery of the best images from the match can be seen below.
