Back-to-back wins for the U’s as Jade Bell’s hat-trick secures all three points against Dulwich Hamlet.
The U’s got off to a bright start again as they penned Dulwich in their own half from the start of the game.
Our bright start resulted in several early chances for the U’s, in the 6th minute a through ball from Zoe Wood found the onrushing Mollie Coupar; unfortunately, the forward couldn’t keep her snapshot on target and dragged it narrowly wide.
Further half chances came and went for the U’s as Mia Richards tried her luck from range, but it was easily gathered by Reeves.
The U’s continued to press for an opener and in the 15th minute Jade Bell dissected her way through the defence before not quite catching her shot which was well saved by Reeves again.
Another close moment for the U’s in the 24th minute as a superb ball into the box from Zoe Wood was crashed against the bar by Mollie Coupar as the U’s continue to dominate.
A half of close moments came to an end as Zoe Wood tried her luck from a freekick on the edge in the 39th minute which was curled just over the bar.
Sean Greygoose was forced into a change at half-time as Kim Farrow was replaced by Becca Stephenson at the break.
It was our opponents who had the better of starts in the second half as they forced a succession of corners which were well defended by the U’s.
Finally, in the 48th minute, the U’s found the breakthrough.
Substitute Becca Stephenson found the feet of forward Jade Bell who drove into the box before unleashing a shot into the bottom corner past the diving Reeves to make it 1-0.
Despite taking the lead the U’s didn’t let off, pushing for a second. With Stojko-Down almost finding Zoe Wood at the back post for a tap in but it was too far for the midfielder on the stretch.
However, the U’s relenting pressure paid off again in the 58th minute as Jade Bell grabbed her second of the afternoon.
Mollie Coupar picked up the ball on the edge of the box and after a couple of shots which were well blocked by the Dulwich defenders, the ball bounced to the feet of Bell who made no mistake slotting the ball past Reeves to make it 2-0.
After the second goal Dulwich grew back into the game, and United were fortunate to be let off the hook in the 60th minute.
A cross into the box evaded the U’s defence and Shults and fell to a Dulwich attacker who looked destined to score into an empty net until Jackson’s intervention to prevent her counterpart.
Following the close call the game went back and forth, with the U’s coming close to adding a third after a Tomlinson long throw resulted in a miscued clearance by the Dulwich defence which just went over the bar.
The U’s defence was breached however in the 74th minute as we failed to deal with a well worked move down the left which resulted in a long range shot for Dulwich from the edge that was rifled into the roof of the net, 2-1.
Another change for the U’s in the 79th minute as Tally Miles replaced the booked Josie Jarvis.
Moments later in the 83rd minute, spurred on by Dulwich’s goal, the U’s added a third.
A long ball forward from Stephenson went over the Dulwich defence and an errant back pass was pounced upon by Jade Bell who drove into the box and composed herself before finishing cooly past reeves to complete her hat-trick.
A final substitution for the U’s in the 86th minute as Mollie Coupar was replaced by the returning Shannon Shaw but no further action of note as the game finished 3-1.
A second win for the U’s in the space of a week as our league season continues to gain momentum. Next up for the U’s is a break from league action as we take on Peterborough United in the league cup on Sunday 7th September.
Cambridge United: Shults, Tomlinson, Cheal-Ferris, Jackson, Richards, Stojko-Down, Coupar (Shaw, 86’), Bell, Jarvis (Miles, 79’), Farrow (Stephenson, 45’), Wood
Subs Not Used: Webb, Rouse, Simmons
Goalscorers: Jade Bell (48’, 58’, 83’)
Bookings: Josie Jarvis
Real Bedford: Reeves Priestley, Lodge, Gall, Heria, Mayes, Taylor, Corrigan, Addison, Leitch, Francis Weir, Grant
Subs Not Used: Harbour Brown, O’Callaghan, Hickman, Monkman, Cheeseman
Goalscorers: Leitch (74’)
Bookings: None
Attendance: 263