Cambridge City
Jan 28th
City hosted Chesham Utd on Saturday and were looking for their first win in five. Chesham sat eighth in the table so this was a real test for City after their form had dropped off lately. Five new signings had come in the previous week so it was a fairly new look City side for this outing. Chesham had a strong strike force with a former Premier League player in Barry Hayles upfront for them.
City conceded an early goal from a nice volley after City had had the better of the opening exchanges, however City weren’t prepared to lie down and take defeat. After half an hour centre back Jordan Gent reacted first a corner and put the Lilywhites level. Things only got better from there on out as loan signing Matt Foy from Cambridge United hit what some are describing as goal of season candidate for City. Foy smashed the ball on the angle up and over the Chesham keeper and put City into a 2-1 lead. City were now firing on all cylinders and that man Foy had a debut to remember and slid home for a second of the half for him and a third for City. City took a 3-1 lead into the break.
The second half was a bit quieter with both teams having chances and Foy having a third disallowed to deny him a debut hat trick, however City held on and with results going their way were looking ever closer to the impossible and getting out of the relegation zone.
Jan 30th
Back to back home games gave the Lilywhites an excellent chance to get themselves out of the relegation zone, with only a days rest between games mid-table Weymouth were the next opponents at Westwood road. The pitch passed a lunchtime inspection and the game went ahead as planned, City desperate to keep this momentum up.
It didn’t start well for Cambridge as they found themselves behind after just six minutes, against the run of play the ball fell kindly to Fleetwood who hit a cross/shot across the keeper who was helpless to save the effort. City has their chances and built up a head of steam, slowly but surely coming into the ascendancy and the second half is where they would come to life.
Minutes into the second half a deep cross was deflected and ended up at the far post where Darren Foxley was on hand to head home, the Lilywhites were back in this and the goal gave them the motivation and belief they needed. City attacked and attacked using subs well but the goal came from a keeping error. The ball was spilt and Foy was there to tuck the ball home to give him three goals in two games and become the hero of the hour. If his form continues like this it would be great for both sides if he perhaps did the rest of the season at the club to get that vital experience.
City had their chances to extend the lead but didn’t take them, including missing a penalty, there were some nerves for the last few minutes but City held on, and lifted themselves out of the relegation zone. The fans were jubilant and renditions of “we are staying up” belted around the ground. The fight isn’t over yet, but continue like this and they won’t be wrong.
Histon
Histon travelled to Kidlington and were in the rare position of being the form team. New signings at the club had really turned things around and Histon managed to make it four wins on the bounce. Kidlington sit a couple of places above Histon and the manager and players knew this game was almost must win for their season, you have to beat your rivals and Histon did just that.
After an even start Kidlington had the first chance, breaking on the counter at Histon, however, they were thwarted in their efforts and Histon made them regret that almost instantly. Almost straight away up the other end Matty Allen found himself in space, took the ball inside his defender before firing across goal into the far corner. Allen had a chance soon after to double the lead but couldn’t get his effort away and the ball was smothered at his feet by the opposition ‘keeper.
On the 36th minute the Stutes double their lead, Dan Gleeson reacted quickest from a set piece and headed the ball home to put Histon firmly in control of this game. They held on until half time however after the restart they were punished by the home side. Jack Dunmall finishing a nice Kidlington move to put some pressure back on Histon. The game had chances at both ends but Histon held on and kept their cool. A huge victory for the Stutes putting them on 21 points after being on just 9 before Christmas. Still in the relegation zone but on this form you can’t rule anything out.
Other Local Scores
Hayes and Yeading 1 – 2 St Neots
Royston Two 5 – 2 Uxbridge
Ely City 0 – 3 Sporting Khala (FA Vase 5th Round)
Newmarket Town 6 – 0 Clacton
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Published by Matthew Robinson
