Cambridge United Women’s Under-18s get the better of Watford counterparts in Junior Premier League

Natasha Coe’s eighth-minute goal was enough to give Cambridge United Women Under-18s their first points in their second Junior Premier League game of the season against Watford at Cambourne Village College on Saturday, writes Robert Coe.

A well-rehearsed short-corner routine saw Coe fire home and make it two goals in as many games for the left-sided attacker, and together with a solid defensive performance, it left manager Sean Greygoose doubly delighted.

“We asked the girls to keep a clean sheet today which we did so a big positive here. We also asked them to spend longer spells on the ball and keep it which I thought we were very good at in large spells,” he said.

“We seemed to struggle a bit in the final third which is something to work on. There were lots of positives on how we approached the game and played but we also know we will have to be more ruthless in attack.

“I was really pleased with lots of different aspects including scoring from a set play, but more so the girls’ ability to listen and try what we had asked.

“We understand there are no easy games in this league and will be a different challenge each week which is great for the girls.”

The home team started the stronger with chances for Millie Docking and Lily Horsler before Coe got the goal.

They then dominated possession for the remainder of the first half but could not get the vital touch to extend their lead.

Serena Cobb and Madeleine Greenhalgh had shots on goal and Coe corner flashed across the six-yard box but nobody was there to finish.

The U’s were making progress down both flanks and at the other end of the pitch the defence was holding firm with Beatrice Rogers playing especially well in the back-line.

It took until the 26th minute for the Lily-Grace Cooke in the United goal to make her first save but it was a rare attack. Any Watford possession was quickly overturned by the United midfield who were passing the ball around effectively and finding players in space. In the latter stages of the first half the ball was played out wide to Coe who went on a mazy run down the left and crossed but Docking’s attempt was saved.

After the restart Gwendolyn Davis-Jones sent over a pinpoint cross which was well controlled by Docking but she could not beat the goalkeeper, while Docking and Coe linked up well on the left wing but again United could not find the finish.

The visitors started to come back into the game and looked to punish United for the their failure to get a second goal and almost got the equaliser in the 90th minute. A breakaway saw Watford’s striker put through on goal but Rogers at the heart of the U’s defence was alert and bundled the visiting centre-forward off the ball when she shaped to shoot at goal.

The Under-18s’ third game in the JPL season takes them London on Saturday (November 4) to face Hayes & Yeading United and then they enter the Cambridgeshire County Cup on Sunday (November 5) with a trip to Burwell.