Cambridge kicked off their home 2025/26 campaign with a 1-0 win over Loughborough III’s in their first match at a newly-refurbished Grange Road. Minutes after half-time, club captain Deniz Ozer scored the only goal of the game, setting the tone for a spirited second-half performance which deservedly earned the Blues all three points and sent them to the top of the table.

This was an early rematch between the two sides, who faced off in the opening game of the season, and was fitting revenge for the 2-1 loss Cambridge suffered away in Leicestershire. It also capped off an incredible run of seven games in a year against one of the Loughborough University outfits, with four coming against the III’s specifically. Whilst last season may have ended with heartbreaking relegation from the Midlands Tier 1 division alongside the Loughborough III’s, the Blues set an impressive home run against Loughborough. Cambridge tallied 3 wins and a draw at home, including an impressive 2-0 win over the II’s in the National Cup – especially impressive given the hegemonic nature of Loughborough’s football structure. All of this set the tone for Wednesday’s match, with both teams knowing that a win would take them top of the league.

“Providing an ice-cold chill to this heated affair”

It was disappointing then, that winter decided to arrive just in time for the game, providing an ice-cold chill to this heated affair. It did not take long for the wind to cause chaos, halting long-balls midair and even knocking over the cameras on the side of the pitch on multiple occasions. Nonetheless, it did not stop the two teams lighting the field up with some fantastic midfield interplay. This was the highlight of a cagey start, where Loughborough brought the battle to the Blues straightaway, who responded with confidence in turn. The Blues defence were at complete ease; happy to play out from the back, invite pressure and channel the ball to the midfield duo of Deniz and Jesse Tapnack, who showed heaps of composure right from the start. It felt like a chess match, both teams sensing of each other out. However, it was Loughborough who had the better chances of the first twenty minutes, winning a free kick inches outside the box which sailed just over the bar. It was emblematic of the cagey start that very few Loughborough players committed themselves forwards on each attack, but they came forward with pace, and caused problems which the Cambridge defence responded to well.

It took until midway in the half for Cambridge to earn their first chance, with the ball in transition falling to Tapnack on the edge of the box, whose shot flashed just wide. In turn the game started to open up, as both teams started to play with ambition. The Blues hassled the Loughborough defence with long-balls galore, but it was the team in purple who created the more dangerous opportunities. As the Blues pressed forwards, misplaced passes became more risky, and the visitors responded with various through balls for their forwards. The Blues could easily have been down by half-time but for some fantastic defensive work, as great blocks were made to deny any dangerous shots on goal, and another free kick flew over the bar. The game started to heat up as tackles flew in from both teams, with a surprising lack of cards to match the physicality of the game. The half-time whistle came at a good time for all involved, and whilst Loughborough might have edged the half as it progressed, Cambridge’s resilient defence were never exposed. The signs for Cambridge were positive, but some second-half conviction was required to take control of the match.

“The captain performed a very ambitious knee-slide on the freezing astro-turf”

It did not take long for this to arrive. Barely 2 minutes into the second half, a threatening Cambridge attack was cleared out to the edge of the box only as far as Tapnack, who fired a powerful half-volley across goal. However, the keeper could only parry it back into the six-yard box, where Ozer was alert to pounce and fire into the roof of the net from close range. Emphatic celebrations proceeded, as the captain performed a very ambitious knee-slide on the freezing astro-turf – a decision he admitted post-match might not have been the best move!

This buoyed the Blues, and Loughborough looked rattled from the rapid start Cambridge had made. Tapnack increasingly grew in confidence, and some great interplay resulted in multiple chances. One stung the gloves of the keeper from mid-range, and another well-deflected behind. Loughborough responded on the break but the Blues defended well, mopping up every attack. Craddock even returned the favour with numerous dangerous balls over the top, as the pressure on the Purple defence mounted. It was a confident display from the Blues, who for a thirty-minute stretch took control of the match. Heavy challenges from Loughborough could not stop the momentum, as Cambridge finally won their first corners in the 70th minute of the game. These epitomised the match. One featured a fantastic routine from the Blues, as intricate passes and flicks worked the ball to the edge of the box – a move which deserved a lethal conclusion – but Martin smashed just over the bar. The second corner was taken out of play by the wind, underlining the ruthless conditions on the day. Despite Loughborough fighting back, Cambridge could have sealed the match on the break, but the final ball evaded the Blues in their search for a second goal.

“Their frustrations were summed up with a booking for their coach”

Thankfully for Cambridge, they were able to close out the game without too much trouble. Loughborough had the odd chance, and caused some set-piece chaos as scrappy defending was needed to clear some dangerously whipped corners. But every break was stopped, every through ball gathered, and every cross dealt with as the Blues got over the line to secure all three points. Blues keeper Aram Sarkissian also had a fine game, notching a second clean sheet of the season. It was a game Loughborough would have been disappointed to lose however, as the game was in the balance throughout the first half. Their frustrations were summed up with a booking for their coach at the death after some choice words were made about a late offside call.

The Blues marched to the top of the table, continuing their impressive run of four wins on the bounce in all competitions. It was a standout performance from the whole team, but particular praise has to go to Jesse Tapnack, whose composure in the midfield and deadly shots caused chaos for Loughborough all game. Captain Ozer said post-match that he was impressed by Tapnack’s step up this season, having added a third assist to his goal this season – second in the league only to Ozer himself. The productiveness of that midfield duo could be the key as the Blues push for a return to the first tier of Midlands BUCS football.

Ironically, it is Loughborough again who are up next for the Blues. It is their sixth team this time in the Midlands Conference Cup as they look to progress to the Quarter-Finals. The Blues then face off against Nottingham Trent II’s, part of a triple-header alongside the Women’s Blues and Eagles on December 3rd, to round off a hugely promising term’s football.