A seven-goal thriller saw the U’s fall just short of a heroic comeback, as they were narrowly defeated by London Bees, bowing out of the FAWNL Plate.
Back at their familiar home ground in St Neots, Cambridge were hoping to book their place in the next round of the Plate, but despite a spirited second half effort, a 4-0 deficit proved too much to overturn.
Going into the game, there were five changes to Sean Greygoose’s side, who hoped to improve on last week’s performance against QPR, with Webb, Miles, Rouse, Farrow and Stephenson coming into the team.
It was an impressive start to the contest for the U’s, who looked the more threatening side.
Within the opening five minutes, the home team created several chances to take the lead, the best of which fell to Alysha Stojko-Down, who got under a Zoe Wood corner and sent her header just over the bar.
The U’s midfield duo, Stojko-Down and Wood, were at the heart of the action early on. In the 8th minute, a perfectly weighted pass from Stojko-Down released Wood down the channel, whose cross picked out striker Jade Bell. Bell’s first touch, however, allowed the keeper time to set herself and make a comfortable save.
With the U’s failing to capitalise on their early chances, London Bees started to find their footing. In the 13th minute, it was the away team who nearly edged in front when winger Shamoy Campbell whipped in a dangerous cross to the back post, which was inches away from the boot of Millie Isherwood.
Just five minutes later, in the 18th minute, the Bees had another chance, and this time, they made it count.
Charging down the left wing, Lily Whitelock powered a fierce shot towards U’s keeper Lauren Webb, who reacted sharply to palm it away. But the rebound fell kindly to Isherwood, who, with a first-time finish, guided the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Without a moment for Cambridge to regroup, just two minutes later, London Bees struck again, securing a second in quick succession.
On her full debut, Thea Budden played a brilliant ball over the top from the left, picking out Brionne Fowle, who lifted it past Webb to double the advantage.
Trailing 2-0, Cambridge needed to find a foothold in the game. In the 29th minute, a corner led to a scramble in the box with efforts from Stojko-Down and Jackson being both blocked before Bell’s strike was tipped onto the bar.
Despite the U’s pressure, it would ultimately be the visitors who found the third goal of the contest.
In the 34th minute, skipper Cheye Flynn beat her marker at a corner and guided a looping header over the keeper to put the Bees 3-0 up before the break.
The second half didn’t start any better for the U’s as just six minutes into the restart, they would concede a fourth.
In the 51st minute, several shots were well blocked by the Cambridge defence, but Millie Isherwood’s second effort finally found the net, giving her a second goal of the game.
Almost immediately, the U’s finally found a response. In the 55th minute, forward Kim Farrow timed an interception perfectly before sliding through her strike partner Jade Bell, who calmly finished into the bottom right corner.
The game had become a goal frenzy as just a minute later, Cambridge scored a second, putting them suddenly back in the game.
Becca Stephenson’s enticing cross was hit into the back of the net by an attempted clearance from a London Bees defender, making the match 4-2.
Two quickfire goals swung the momentum in the U’s favour, and they now looked like scoring at every opportunity.
Attacking with purpose, in the 60th minute, Becca Stephenson was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Captain Zoe Wood rose to the occasion and made no mistake from the spot, making it 4-3 and putting her team within reach of tying up the game.
With three goals in the space of ten minutes and 30 still to play, the comeback looked inevitable.
Full of confidence, Cambridge were now in complete control of the match and looked certain to find an equaliser. Both Bell, Stojko-Down and Tomlinson had promising chances, but despite their efforts, the Bees’ keeper Emma Roberts stood firm.
With the final whistle edging closer Sean Greygoose threw on attacking reinforcement in the 84th minute introducing Shannon Shaw, Josie Jarvis and Lauren Cullum in place of Sammy Edgar, Becca Stephenson and Tally Miles.
In the 88th minute, only moments after coming on, Shannon Shaw was nearly the hero Cambridge needed. Her flicked header glanced off the post and was just inches away from sending the U’s into extra time.
Despite a brilliant second-half performance, Cambridge United couldn’t find the crucial fourth goal, and the match ended 4-3, bringing their Plate run to an end.
The girls are in FA cup action next week against the University of Nottingham on Sunday October 26th.
Match report by Molly Sutherland.
Cambridge United: Webb, Miles (Jarvis, 84’), Tomlinson, Rouse, Jackson, Stojko-Down, Bell, Edgar (Cullum, 84’), Farrow, Stephenson (Shaw, 84’), Wood
Subs Not Used: Sutherland, Docking, Shults, Cheal-Ferris
Goal scorers: Bell (55’), OG (56’), Wood (60’)
London Bees: Roberts, Heil, Flynn, Vyse (Vigo, 66’), Isherwood, Burrows, Budden, Fowle, Larkin (Lanza, 54’), Campbell (Durn, 66’), Whitelock
Subs Not Used: Ginn, Davidson, Callison, Wozniak
Goal scorers: Isherwood (18’, 51’), Fowle (20’), Flynn (34’)
