The U’s made a winning start under new Head Coach, Ethan Scott with a comprehensive 4-0 victory away to Billericay on the opening game of the FA WNL season…
Several new faces were included in Ethan Scott’s first Cambridge United lineup, Sophie Jeffery, Ceri Flye, Olivia Cook, Cheyanna Norman, Ella Gambell, Renai Bennett and Hope Strauss.
The U’s started on the front foot, controlling much of the ball, despite this it was the hosts who came closest to opening the scoring in the 6th minute…
A lapse in judgement saw Flye dispossessed by the Billericay forward line, the striker rounded Webb before seeing her effort cleared off the line by the backtracking Strauss.
This proved to be a wakeup call for the U’s as Bennett stung the palms of the Rothon before Tally Miles opened the scoring in the 15th minute.
Jeffery made a trademark run down the line, whipping in a dangerous cross that was cleared by the Billericay backline, the ball fell to the U’s midfielder, who after a few composed touches, unleased a devastating strike from range that hit the inside of the left upright and into the back of the net. 1-0 U’s.
The U’s continued to press after opening the scoring, Cook saw an effort hit the bar following another Jeffery’s cross, before the U’s winger also had a dangerous free-kick turned over the bar by Rothon.
In the 42nd minute, one of the U’s debutants doubled our lead.
A corner from the left missed all players in the box but was put back across goal by Flye at the back post, her cutback found Bennett in the box who pounced on the ball to send the U’s into the break with a 2-0 lead.
After the break the U’s continued to dominate most of the possession and saw several chances to extend the lead squandered.
A couple changes in the second half saw U18 players Hannah Mitchell and Holly Prytherch make their league debuts for the club and in the 88th minute the U’s extended the lead their dominance deserved.
A clearance from Billericay found Josie Jarvis on the halfway line, her clipped ball over the backline of the hosts found Gambell who chipped the keeper from the edge to make it 3-0.
Two minutes later the U’s would extend their lead further and debutant Gambell would grab her second of the game.
Good work down the U’s right between Gambell and Jarvis saw the former pick the ball up on the edge of the box before unleashing an arrowed effort into the far bottom corner.
A dominating 4-0 win for the U’s on the road and the perfect opening league game of the season for new Head Coach Ethan Scott.
Up next, the U’s start a new chapter in their history in the first ever league game at our new stadium, Grange Road (23 August), as they welcome London Bees.
Cambridge United: Webb ©, Jeffery, Flye, Cook (Mitchell, 80’), Miles (Edgar, 75’), Bell, Norman (Prytherch, 89’), Jarvis (Jackson, 89’), Gambell, Bennett (Sutherland, 68’), Strauss
Subs Not Used: Dixon, Hacker, Tomlinson
Goalscorers: Miles (15’), Bennett (42’), Gambell (88’, 90’)
Bookings: Gambell (67’)
Billericay: Rothon (Robins, 75’), Clark (Winslow, 46’), Ford, Daniels (Roskilly, 64’), Evans, Durgan (Bryant, 64’), Mackler, Morgan © (Debenham, 82’), Canny, Galbally, Ralston
Subs Not Used: Keen, Priest
Goalscorers: N/A
Bookings: Daniels (20’), Morgan (29’)
