U's Net report |
Tonight was a "CUFC XI" in the true sense of the phrase. Unlike the full strength side sent out at Letchworth on Tuesday, a mixture of youngsters and trialists faced Soham Town Rangers.
Youth team goalkeeper James Mercer played behind a defence of Danny Hodges (ex-Wimbledon), Lee Collins (Aston Villa and Stoke), Martin McNeil and Sean James (St Albans Town). In midfield were Neil Mustoe, Anders Koogi (Peterborough United and Cambridge City), player-coach David Preece and Tom Youngs, making his first appearance of the season. Up front were two trialists, Steve Slade (Spurs and QPR) and Marcus Richardson (Slough Town).
The
match got off to a surreal start when a curling left-footed drive from
David Preece was lifted just over the bar, and after that it was pretty
much one way traffic. In the eighth minute Slade put in Richardson and
his goalbound shot from the edge of the box was smuggled clear by a defender.
Two minutes later a good turn by Slade made room to unleash Richardson
down the right, and although his cross was behind Slade it was perfect
for Tom Youngs to slide home a trademark far post finish from ten
yards.
In the fifteenth minute the young Dane Anders Koogi spotted Youngs free on the halfway line, and his sweeping pass released Slade for a run at the keeper who stood up well to save with his knees. Then two minutes later Soham failed to clear a U's freekick, the ball finally falling to Preece curled a shot fractionally wide from 20 yards with the goalkeeper struggling to make his ground. The second goal came in the 28th minute when Richardson's power and pace took him clear of the defence, and his cross laid a tap in on a plate for Steve Slade to oblige.
In the 38th minute came the first real threat to the U's goal when a full-blooded drive from a Soham midfielder rifled into Mercer's midriff, and the young goalkeeper made the save look comfortable. A minute later at the other end, a delicious pass from Koogi sent Slade away. He looked to have made a hash of the chance until Richardson almost salvaged it with an outrageous backheel which was smothered by the keeper. Provider turned scorer in the 41st minute when Marcus Richardson rose majestically to place a Tom Youngs cross in off the post. (Half-time 3-0)
Richardson was replaced by South African striker Marco Torino at half-time and 30 seconds after the re-start Slade and Mustoe set up Koogi for a neat shot on the turn from 10 yards that was well-saved. In the 48th minute Youngs played a slide-rule pass for Torino to run onto and the trialist slid a shot just wide from the edge of the box. They combined again in the 54th when Youngs' cross was tantalisingly in front of Torino who failed to make contact from eight yards out.
David Preece got away down the left ten minutes later, his cross was met first time at the far post by substitute Franco Nacca who volleyed wide. In the 69th minute came a rare Soham attack but their 20 yard freekick was tipped over by the alert Mercer. The non-League players started to tire and as Slade grew increasingly petulant a series of simmering scuffles marked the final 20 minutes.
With twelve minutes left Torino got away down the right and his cross was met on the volley by Slade but the shot was well-blocked by the goalkeeper. Soham really faded in the last ten minutes and in the 86th minute Torino escaped down the right again, and his cross saw Anders Koogi apply a crisp finish from eight yards. The U's completed their nap hand two minutes later when Koogi returned the compliment, giving Marco Torino a run in on goal for him to slide a shot into the bottom corner.
In his summary Mark Johnson said it was a good workout for the fringe players. The trialists who caught the eye for the right reasons tonight were Anders Koogi who is skilful but possibly not strong enough, Lee Collins who had another impressive game at the back and showed some good touches, and Marcus Richardson who looked strong, powerful and quick. Steve Slade didn't look interested a lot of the time, and Hodges and James didn't really convince on this outing.