Cambridge 0 - 1 Oxford

After having thoroughly beaten Bath and Bristol in their BUCS South Premier league, Cambridge Ladies Blues faced a dangerous Oxford team who sat 1 point ahead in the table. Cambridge hoped to use a home advantage to claim their first win against the Dark Blues in seven years, and the fantastic turn out from the rest of CUHC to cheer the girls on certainly set the stage.

The first ten minutes saw both sides making small errors as they settled into the high tempo game, leading to counter attacks at both ends, but with neither team having the composure to take the chances. The Light Blues began to assert themselves in the game with several well built attacks, but the final finish was still lacking. Oxford transferred the ball between their defenders, and a brief lapse in concentration from Cambridge lead to an Oxford penalty corner. Unfortunately, Cambridge conceded a soft goal, with a weak, straight strike being deflected into the goal by a their own post player - not a mistake to be repeated at Varsity! Cambridge maintained their pressure, but remained a little rattled letting some simple passes go astray. At the death of the first half, Sarah Lee did well to dispose the Oxford Centre Back and set up a one-on-one with the keeper. The pressure of a scrambling defense, however, meant the shot was rushed and the keeper was equal to it. 

The second half was slightly delayed by lighting problems, but Cambridge returned determined to get something out of the game.  The back four began to make the Oxford press work hard. Centre Half Therese De Souza was able to transfer the ball through the midfield, launching right-sided attacks with Suzie Stott and Mel Addy. Oxford did well to cut out several crossed balls, so the Light Blues took a new approach. On three occasions in quick succession, Cambridge were able to get in behind the Oxford defense, with forwards Alex Maskell and Dani Moyles driving along the right hand base line.  Several goal-mouth scrambles ensued, but frustratingly Cambridge were unable to get a clean shot on goal to equalize.  Oxford began to break down play deliberately, in order to slow the Cambridge attack. This resulted in a yellow card for a particularly obvious foul from their left wing. Frustratingly, Cambridge couldn't make their superior play and numerical advantage tell, despite dominating both possession and territory in the dying minutes of the game. The match ended on a slightly sour 1-0 victory to the dirty Dark Blues.

With much to work on, Cambridge can still be proud of their performance and have many positives to take away. Man of the Match went jointly to Therese De Souza and Captain Charlie Banfield for strong performances in the centre of the pitch. GDBO and bring on the return fixture in January.