Football Report: Blues 4 – 3 UWE Hartpury

SIMON COURT reports as the light blues shock the best team in University football.

4-3 childs court CUAFC fenners football forde hartpury match underdog victory win

Having already faced this undefeated Hartpury side – who have yet to concede a goal this season and have been league champions for the last three years – the Blues knew they were in for a tough match. Despite the visitors’ obvious swagger and confidence, it was Cambridge’s Sherif who opened the scoring after 89 seconds, pouncing on a loose ball after a Childs’ rocket hit the bar. The light blues nearly found themselves two goals up five minutes later as Wolstenhulme struck the bar from a corner.

This seemed to spur Hartpury into action as they flew forward at pace, seeking to get their lively number 9 in behind the Cambridge defence. The Blues’ banks however remained compact and resolute, whilst some clever pressing play from the forward line allowed the hosts to rob Hartpury’s overly confident left-back of possession and cross for James May to find the net with a diving header. With a determination, energy and belief in Cambridge’s play the game turned into a Fenners Classic.

The victorious light blues

Hartpury piled on the pressure and centre halves Mike Smith and RIch Wolstenhulme reacted by putting their bodies on the line to keep the opposition out. Eventually, however, the Cambridge defence gave way and the Hartpury number 10 found himself in enough space to coolly slot home from just inside the box.

The Blues came out for the second half knowing that the next goal was crucial, and a Smith yelp in the box led to a penalty that Childs stroked home to banish the demons of two weeks before. The visitors reacted by throwing everything at the light blues, bombarding the box with crosses and were rewarded with two quick fire goals.

However, despite the onslaught the Blues would not lie down and be beaten, least of all Daniel Forde. Fordey switched to the right to escape the distraction of his coach’s orders and cut inside to loft a majestic chip over the keeper’s head, sending the Cambridge faithful into delirium.

The Blues will now look to build on such a hard fought win and consolidate their position in the top tier of university football.