Cambridge 4 - 4 Wapping

The Blues have scored eight goals in the last two matches, and despite missing out on a win, they have proved that they are a force to be reckoned with. This was the first game after the East League resumed following the Christmas break and it produced a thrilling spectacle as the Blues squared up to mid-table Wapping in a high-scoring draw.  After a disappointing first half to the season, which yielded just a single point in the league, the team was eager to start gathering some momentum as the countdown to Varsity begins. The team will take many positives from a showing of fluid, attacking hockey, although in future games, they must look to eliminate the lapses in concentration that saw them surrender a 3-0 lead in the first half.

Cambridge got off to a lively start, playing the ball around confidently and finding plenty of joy going forward in the wide areas. Following a sustained period of pressure, Cambridge took the lead with a goal from a well worked short corner, with fit-again Mel Addy applying the finish. The Blues continued to impress, with solid defending from Eleanor Wiseman and Rachel Barraclough snuffing out any opposition attacks, and the forwards’ link-up play constantly finding gaps at the other end of the field. The inevitable second goal was soon registered, Ruth Graham adding her name to the score sheet. The Cambridge forwards kept the Wapping defence under pressure with some slick passing moves, and a short corner led to the award of a penalty stroke, which was coolly slotted home by Sarah Baggs to further increase the Blues’ lead.

Seemingly out of the game, Wapping were spurred into action by the third goal.  Committing players forward, and transferring the ball quickly from side to side, they found a way to break down the Blues’ defensive structure that had been so secure in the early stages of the game. Incredibly, the visiting team was able to add three goals to bring the score level in little more than ten minutes. But for some good saves from Lucy Stapleton in the Cambridge goal, the closing minutes of the first half could have proved more costly.

In reaction to a first half of mixed fortunes for both sides, the approach in the second was rather more circumspect. During an opening period that proved more balanced than its first half counterpart, both midfields sought to assert their influence upon the game. Cambridge created the occasional scoring chance; Charlotte Brearley found space to demonstrate her stick skills on the right-hand side as she bamboozled the opposing defenders to win the Blues another penalty corner, though they were unable to convert on this occasion. Both teams continued to enjoy periods of pressure, and eventually, it was Wapping who took the lead from an incisive breakaway goal. The combative Cambridge side refused to relent, and soon managed to find an equaliser through Jess Hume.

In the latter stages of the game, a winning goal almost materialised on the counter-attack when Rachel Quick threaded a pinpoint ball to find Brearley on the opposite touchline in the move of the game. Ultimately, the winner was not forthcoming and both teams had to settle for an entertaining draw.

Captain Brearley was encouraged by the competitive performance.  “Things looked much more positive than last term. We worked well together and played the simple passing game we’ve been aiming for, and we finally showed we can score goals.”  The Light Blues will be hoping to build upon this result as they travel to Kent to face fourth-placed Maidstone on Saturday.