Blues Boys Set For Lent After Spanish Inquisition

CUAFC took their traditional mid-season break to the south of Spain, enjoying a week of good football and returning in high spirits.

As is customary, CUAFC burnt off the Christmas turkey by heading off on tour. 19 squad members, coach Michael Jolley and physio Rich made up the touring party who left the UK on the back of a successful Michaelmas. The first stop this year was the newly built Pinatar Arena, where the boys were accommodated in a fully-catered 4* hotel. This made a nice change from previous trips when they’ve been forced to fend for themselves. With wholesome breakfasts under their belts, the team jogged down to morning training in the warm sunshine at the brand new football centre, and it was immediately clear on arrival that the gamble to spend the first half of the week in San Pedro Del Pinatar had paid off. The laser-levelled pitches, pristine equipment and shiny 5,000 seater Arena had CUAFC skipper, Ross Broadway, in desperate need of a cold shower to calm himself down.

Day 1 was spent running through a series of drills to refresh the bodies and remind the boys of Michaelmas’ brand of total football. The oppressive heat was making it tough going and the first to crack was central midfielder James May, who made the bold move of tearing all three of his ankle ligaments in a desperate attempt to avoid the afternoon session. The physio’s holiday was quickly over, and Rich set to work on James’ ankle to begin the recovery process.

The team were in confident mood for their first match on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the Light Blues’ confidence took a knock as they went down 2-1 against Pinatar CF (made up of some of the Murcia region’s top semi-professionals), despite a top corner volley from Totten that had given them a way back into the game.

The boys celebrate a goal in La Manga

Three training sessions later, and with Kerrigan 180 Euros down from a 200-mile emergency passport round-trip, CUAFC were ready for Deportiva Minera. The opposition were a step up in quality from Tuesday’s game and dominated the early possession, taking a 1-0 lead into half-time. The Light Blues gathered themselves at the break and came out fighting hard to retain possession and rediscover the ruthless attacking form that delivered 14 goals in 5 competitive fixtures in Michaelmas. CUAFC drew level after Chris Hutton converted, and took the honours in a frantic last 5 minutes. Throwing everything forward, Cambridge capitalised on an excellent deep free-kick with centre-back and beanpole Ben Ryan heading the Light Blues to victory against an excellent Spanish side. It was a fitting, self-supplied birthday present for the Queens defender, whose 21st had not even been remotely celebrated at the start of the tour.

Kerrigan runs at the Deportivo Minera defence

Cue wild celebrations from CUAFC, with the high spirits continuing to the team meal. Among the fine food and San Miguel of Si! Bar, ‘keeper and apparent magician Kent pulled off the trick of the tour, producing Kerrigan’s passport from his back pocket halfway through the meal. Kerrigan went on a bender that Robbie Savage et al. would have been proud of, and the Light Blues somehow managed to make it to Cartagena for the traditionally-chaotic final night of tour.

The travelling squad returned to Cambridge after an exceptional training camp on the back of the most professional tour the Club has seen. After 18 hours of training, 2 gym sessions, 2 matches and countless ice baths, the team returned with invaluable fitness, confidence, and tactical nous that will hopefully see them through an immensely busy Lent football schedule. Did someone say San Miguel?

The full tour squad

If you would like to follow CUAFC’s progree this Term, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/CambridgeUniversityAFC or follow them on Twitter @CUAFC.