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Cambridge City beat Bedford 5-1 to keep pressure on Women's Conference Midlands Loughborough Students




Cambridge City women’s I kept the pressure on leaders Loughborough Students in the hunt for promotion back to Division One.

A hat-trick from Emily McStea punctuated a brilliant team performance against one of the mainstays of the Conference division, Bedford, as they ran out 5-1 winners in Women's Conference Midlands.

Action from Cambridge City women's II against Upminster. Picture: Simon Webb
Action from Cambridge City women's II against Upminster. Picture: Simon Webb

Holly Dean gave Cambridge the lead from the penalty spot after nine minutes. McStea got her first two goals either side of a Bedford goal before half-time with Laila Hollis getting a fourth four minutes into the second half. McStea then closed out her hat-trick toward the end of the third quarter to make the points safe.

In-form Upminster initially had the better of the game as they travelled to Cambridge II, who ended up 2-0 winners. The first 20 minutes were uncomfortable for the hosts, but against the run of play Sadie Werrett was able to put a penalty corner away to give Cambridge the lead.

Ella Houghton in action for Cambridge City women's II against Upminster. Picture: Simon Webb
Ella Houghton in action for Cambridge City women's II against Upminster. Picture: Simon Webb

From that point the Reds never looked back and they dominated the game, though struggled to take their chances. Captain Ella Houghton marked her return to the side after an enforced absence with a spectacular finish to double the lead. Rachel Clarke's corner effort was kicked at chest height toward Houghton on the edge of the circle who delivered a baseball swing to slam the ball into the net and spark wild celebrations.

An incredible performance by the Norwich City keeper denied Cambridge III a deserved win with the goal peppered throughout their 1-1 draw.

Ella Houghton, second right, celebrates scoring for Cambridge City women's II against Upminster. Picture: Simon Webb
Ella Houghton, second right, celebrates scoring for Cambridge City women's II against Upminster. Picture: Simon Webb

Amber Smith gave Cambridge the lead moments before the half-time whistle, but Georgie Evans of Norwich equalised with 13 minutes remaining. Once again Cambridge delivered flowing, attacking hockey but could not convert.

The women’s IVs enjoyed a 4-1 win at City of Peterborough II, who took an early lead.

Abby Richardson, facing camera, high-fiving Anna Cartera after scoring for Cambridge City women's VI. Picture: Simon Webb
Abby Richardson, facing camera, high-fiving Anna Cartera after scoring for Cambridge City women's VI. Picture: Simon Webb

Robyn Starkie responded for Cambridge to draw level in the 25th minute and just before half-time Fran Hawkins gave Cambridge the lead before Alice Beardmore continued her record of scoring in every game, bagging a brace.

Cambridge V went down 2-1 at home to Pelicans. Steph Atkinson brought Cambridge level against promotion chasing Pelicans but the visitors nicked a winner late on to steal the points.

Abby Richardson battles for Cambridge City women's VI against Huntingdon & Northstowe. Picture: Simon Webb
Abby Richardson battles for Cambridge City women's VI against Huntingdon & Northstowe. Picture: Simon Webb

The VI team won 2-1 at Huntingdon & Northstowe. A sweeping team move in the opening seconds of the game gave Cambridge the lead as Viv Ronco put Flip Toley through on goal down the left wing. Drawing the keeper out she crossed to Abby Richardson, who finished into an open goal.

Cambridge old girl Amy Wilkinson struck a blistering penalty corner shot past the keeper to bring Huntingdon level on 13 minutes. Drama came minutes later as a deflection lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper and with the ball seemingly destined for the goal Atida Kusotera heroically leapt in the air to parry it away.

With the game evenly balanced, Ronco stepped up on a penalty corner and slammed the ball home early in the second half to get the win.

The promotion charge continued for Cambridge women’s VII as Hattie Emerson and Celia Jones helped themselves to braces, while Catrina Smith got the fifth in a 5-0 success at Wisbech Town V.

Cal Middleton, red, battles for Cambridge City I at home to Harleston Magpies. Picture: Simon Webb
Cal Middleton, red, battles for Cambridge City I at home to Harleston Magpies. Picture: Simon Webb

The men’s I won 5-3 at home to Harleston Magpies, an important victory which moved Cambridge draws them level on points with University of Birmingham and three behind Banbury.

Henry Ormrod scored in the opening five minutes and player/coach Conor Annand followed up with a second moments later. Just before half-time captain Adam Price made it 3-0 to Cambridge.

A flurry of cards for Magpies saw Cambridge capitalise and score a fourth when Annand converted a penalty stroke. Magpies got two goals back as nerves began to mount but Annan bagged his third to make it safe with the final quarter approaching. More cards and a final goal for Magpies hopefully set Cambridge on their way to survival.

Sam Rutter, Cammy Small and Isaac Astin made the difference as Cambridge men’s II continued to keep the pressure on for promotion back to East Premier Division, defeating Wisbech Town 3-1.

Cambridge III won 5-0 over Pelicans II while the IV team went down 4-3 at City of Peterborough V.

Cambridge V won 3-2 at home to Wisbech Town III. A dreadful start saw Cambridge concede the lead from a narrow, seemingly impossible angle. However, the hosts fought back and goals from captain Streetja Jonnada and two by Doug Williamson turned the game around and kept Cambridge fighting to go up.

The men’s VI went down 4-0 at Kettering II.



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