Cambridge United 1-0 Dartford
FA Women’s National League Divison One South East
Sunday 18th October 2026
After rocky patch in September and October, the U’s got back to winning ways in the league on Sunday afternoon against Dartford at Grange Road…
After taking the lead early in the first half, the U’s showed their resilience in the second half to earn their first three points in the league since we faced Dulwich Hamlet at home on August 30th.
Ethan Scott made two changes to the lineup that made the trip to Saltdean as Abbie Jackson and Sophie Jeffery came into the back four in place of Isabel Beeson and Eleanor Townsend.
It was the latter of the two changes that got the U’s off to a promising start, Jeffery found her way in behind the Dartford back line time and time again, finding Jade Bell early on but the forward couldn’t direct her headed effort on target.
In the 17th minute, the U’s made their early dominance count as a Jeffery corner evaded everyone before finding Coupar on the left wing, the forward went past her defender with a brilliant piece of skill before standing up a cross that Charlton could only parry to a wide-open Hope Strauss who finished into an empty net superbly.
It was the defender’s first goal for the club and set the U’s up perfectly for the rest of the game.
Following the opener, conditions worsened as a barrage of rain came down to make for a tight encounter with not many chances for either side as we went into the break 1-0 up.
After the break the U’s again took control of the game, limiting the Dartford attack to only a few chances.
The U’s continued to press their advantage and came close on a couple of occasions with both Jackson and Bell seeing efforts saved or go harmlessly wide.
Late in the game Dartford came close to finding an equaliser as a shot from the edge took a deflection off Strauss before hitting the post and being cleared to safety.
However, the U’s held on to their 1-0 lead to move up to joint 5th in the table.
The U’s will take a break from league action next as they make the trip to Luton Town in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup (25th October).
Next home game: QPR (8th November) - Purchase tickets here
Cambridge United: Webb, Jeffery, Jackson, Miles, Coupar, Bell, Jarvis, Gambell, Tomlinson (Cook, 72’), Bennett (Bonwick, 65’), Strauss
Subs Not Used: Beeson, Norman, Townsend, Shaw, Jeckell
Goalscorers: Strauss (17’)
Bookings: Bennett
Dartford: Charlton, Delves (Lewis-Powell, 46’), Davis, Davies, Adams, Griffiths (O’Brien, 83’), Alberts, Howell (Smith, 57’), Dolby, Bromfield (Awan, 65’), Galbally (Smith, 73’)
Subs Not Used: Mayne, Sparrow
Goalscorers: N/A
Bookings: Davis, Howell
