Cambridge 4 - 1 Worcester University

The match was a scrappy affair in the opening exchanges, with neither side able to retain possession. The blustery conditions were also not conducive to the long balls over the top that generally allow the Blues to exploit the pace of Danny Kerrigan and Ben Tsuda. However, despite their initial lack of guile going forward, the Blues kept it tight at the back with the powerful Worcester strikers unable to outwit the strong Blues defence. The game began to improve as the half progressed, with Danny Kerrigan close to scoring after a fine corner from Jamie Rutt before Rick Totten broke the deadlock in the first moment of real quality in the match. A clipped ball over the top allowed Totten to display a trademark turn of speed and coolly slip the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs to give the Blues the lead at the interval.

The second half was much brighter, with both sides upping the tempo. The match also became increasingly niggly as both teams showed dissent at the referee’s decisions and the Worcester captain receiving a yellow card after a foul on Totten. The resulting free kick was whipped into the box and headed just over by captain Ross Broadway. Worcester began to look the more likely scorers but any head of steam was quickly curtailed by an improbable finish from Danny Kerrigan. Another trademark ball over the top from Rutt allowed Kerrigan to unleash his searing pace and bear down on goal, a poor first touch appeared to have seen the chance go begging but an effort from the acutest of angles went in off the post to give the Blues a handy two goal cushion.

Worcester remained positive, however, and their two wingers looked dangerous cutting inside and delivering some dangerous corners. Fergus Kent was called upon to tip a bending shot round the post from Worcester’s talented right winger and James Day was forced to make a perfectly-timed last-ditch tackle to prevent a golden shooting opportunity for Worcester. Despite these Worcester opportunities, it was the Blues who carved the best opening with Totten blasting over when through on goal. This reprieve for Worcester was short-lived though as Kerrigan was once again to the fore, leaving the Worcester defenders for dead before unselfishly squaring for substitute Sol Elliot to smash home from six yards.

The game degenerated further into a bad-tempered tussle in the latter stages, with Blues captain Ross Broadway yellow carded for an alleged elbow and late challenges providing difficulties for the referee. Worcester’s mood may have been helped slightly as they got the goal their second half pressure merited. Another fantastic cross from their right winger was headed home inside the six yard box, leaving question marks about whether goalkeeper Fergus Kent could have been more authoritative in claiming the ball. The Blues were merciless though and immediately broke again through the irrepressible Kerrigan who once more unselfishly squared for Elliot to smash a home a carbon copy of his first goal.

The Blues will no doubt be delighted with their clinical finishing and a strong defence that consistently repelled Worcester attacks until they finally relinquished a clean sheet in the late stages. They will look to continue this form and gain bragging rights in their match against the ‘Old Boys’ on Saturday.

Team (4-4-1-1): Fergus Kent; Ant Childs, James Day, Michael Smith, Jamie Rutt; Rick Totten, Ross Broadway, James May, Danny Forde; Ben Tsuda; Danny Kerrigan.

Substitutes: Sol Elliot, George Hill, Roderick Blevins