U’s WFC secure important win at Ely
Cambridge United Women FC moved further clear of the bottom after a fine 1-0 home win over Enfield Town Ladies, as the U’s followed up last week’s excellent point against league leaders Crystal Palace with a further three.
It was a game that was played out with spilt possession between the two teams but with the greater chances in front of goal falling United’s way.
The first opportunity of the game fell to Isabella Simmons after a smart bit of combination play with Paige Logie found the 17-year old in the box, but she was denied what would have been a certain goal by a fantastic last ditch tackle in the area that had to be timed to perfection.
Then an electric breakaway from the U’s saw Logie play in Laura Mills on the right and her ball across was inch perfect to Faith Hewitt who took her shot first time with only the Enfield keeper Kerrie Marlborough to beat but the shot stopper blocked with her feet well.
Mills was causing the Enfield defence all kinds of problems and after seeing one shot saved and one fly over the bar, she turned provider whipping in a low driven cross that Logie almost diverted home only for a goal line block to prevent the opening goal.
However, it was from the resulting corner that United took the lead. Emma Jenkins delivered deep into the box and Laura Bright’s header was directed goalwards before finding its way over the line despite the efforts of Enfield’s Beth Demery on the line.
Barring a 25 yard free kick which Verity Crook watched safely over the bar, the U’s goal had been rarely threatened in the first 45 minutes.
United came out of the blocks quickly in the second half too looking to get that two goal cushion and could consider themselves unfortunate not to do so. Mills continued to cause problems in wide areas and her cross to the far post was met late by Hewitt and her vicious shot was blocked by Marlborough from a narrow angle.
Enfield’s best chance of the game followed soon after as a through ball split the United defence but Crook was alive to the chance and she blocked from the one-on-one well.
Both teams were working hard to break the other side down but defences often came out on top as chances dried up a little.
United managed the game well during the eight minutes injury time to seal the three points and clean sheet.
Manager Steve Edwards was pleased with the result: “It was a professional performance and the only thing we didn’t do was take a few more of our chances to make it more of a comfortable situation.
“Having said that, despite only being one goal in front, I never felt that we were in danger of conceding as we defended well and looked solid right across the team. There was always a chance not scoring the second goal may have hurt us but clean sheets win matches and it transpired we only needed the one goal to seal the points today.
“We need to continue that resilience and pride ourselves on being a difficult team to beat. We have a tough run of games coming up, but the players are in a good place right now so long may that continue.”
LINE UP:- Verity Crook, Emma Jenkins, Kayleigh Anne Burt, Laura Bright, Carrie Bennett, Tahnee Perfect (sub 61 mins Nicola Geoghan), Laura Baker, Laura Mills, Isabella Simmons (sub 69 mins Lucy Du Plooy), Faith Hewitt, Paige Logie Sub not used: Hannah Goodchild