After last week’s disappointing result, a slightly depleted Blues side turned in a polished performance to dispose of a youthful Bishop’s Stortford team with relative ease.

The score line did not reflect Cambridge’s dominance throughout the game, as the opposition, seemed resigned to defeat from the off, camped in their own defensive third for the majority of the game. In spite of Stortford’s blatant damage-limitation tactics, it was not long before Cambridge took the lead, Jackson capping off a period of sustained early pressure with a close-range finish. 

The opposition struggled to win any meaningful possession as they were squeezed by the Light Blue press and the Cambridge attack was soon causing more problems for the opposing defence. A well executed penalty corner routine doubled the Blues’ lead as Nick Parkes struck below a despairing Stortford keeper.  The Blues were clearly pleased with their first-half performance and the half-time message from the captain was clear: ‘more of the same’.

The second proved more frustrating to Cambridge, as the ever-retreating opposition packed out their own penalty circle in an attempt to preserve their goal difference.  The Blues’ slight over-eagerness to score occasionally allowed the opposition skipper to show off his skills on the counter-attack, but it seemed that Cambridge could not over-commit as Dave Saunders’ ruthless defending systematically thwarted all impending threats. A moment of brilliance from man of the match Parkes made it three for the Blues, the rangy Scot beating a handful of opponents with a powerful run from midfield before unleashing a stinging reverse-stick bludgeon, which proved too hot for the opposition goal-keeper to handle.  Stortford persisted with their negative tactics, and with minutes remaining, won a penalty corner on the break. A high dragflick denied keeper Morrison his clean sheet, and resulted in a final score line that flattered the opponents.

Although the three points keep Cambridge in second place in the league, it was not all good news for the Blues; a yellow card for influential midfielder Parkes results in him missing a tough fixture away against Havering this week. The squad will be glad to have him back when they face National League side Sevenoaks, rumoured to feature former Blues stalwart Nick McLaren, in Round Four of the National Men’s Cup on Sunday.