Cambridge City beat Ipswich to go six points clear at the top of East Women's League Division 1 North

Cambridge City III recorded an important 2-1 victory on their return to East Women’s League Division 1 North action last weekend.

In what was their first outing since the leagues took a break for the Christmas period, table-topping City got the better of visiting second-placed Ipswich to open up a six-point gap between the sides.

City broke the deadlock with a neat finish through Chanre Bond, only for the Suffolk-based visitors to equalise before the break.

The home side went on to dominate large parts of the second half and after numerous chances went begging Bond eventually wrapped up the win with a push-shot from Hannah Roberts’ cross that got the better of a flat-footed Ipswich goalkeeper.

In a quirk of the fixture list, the two sides will meet in Ipswich for the reverse match on Saturday (January 14).

In the East Women’s League Division 2 North West, Cambridge City IV chalked up a 5-1 home win at the expense of Long Sutton.

Maia Polonius put hosting City in front before Fran Burn doubled the advantage going into half-time.

Long Sutton got themselves back into the contest early in the second half via a penalty stroke, but City responded with three further goals to wrap up a resounding triumph.

Xanthe Stebbing contributed a brace before Burn completed the scoring.

In the East Women’s League Division 3 North West, Cambridge City V continued their march towards the title with a 4-1 win at Cambridge South IV.

Sophie Tooley (2), Stephanie Birkwood and Natalie Ronco accounted for City’s goals.

However, it was not such a positive weekend for the men’s section of the Wilberforce Road club as the four teams in action all tasted defeat.

Cambridge City III lost 5-4 in their East Men’s League Division 1 North basement clash with Ipswich & East Suffolk, while Cambridge City IV went down 5-0 in the East Men’s League Division 2 North West derby at Cambridge South II.

In the East Men’s League Division 4 North West, Cambridge City V could only muster a 3-1 defeat from their home encounter with Ely City II and there was a 4-1 loss for Cambridge City Veterans against Kettering in the East Men’s League Division 2 North West.

Cammy Small gave City the lead against the run of play early on before the hosts responded in clinical fashion.