Home   Sport   Article

Subscribe Now

Cambridge City Ladies play first match at new stadium in Sawston but lose 1-0 to St Albans after controversially being denied late penalty




Cambridge City Ladies were denied a last-minute penalty and a potential deserved share of the points as they ushered in a new era at the new stadium in Sawston with a narrow 1-0 defeat to St Albans on Sunday, writes Robert Coe.

Deep into injury time, as the Lilywhites poured forward in search of an equaliser, striker Faith Harrison was brought down in what the referee deemed was outside the penalty area despite loud calls from both players and supporters for a spot-kick.

Cambridge City Ladies’ Anais Winney in action against St Albans. Picture: Pauline Muncey
Cambridge City Ladies’ Anais Winney in action against St Albans. Picture: Pauline Muncey

Replays would later prove inconclusive but it was another goalless City return and the defeat sees Stewart Nicholls’ young team cut off at the bottom of the table, eight points from safety with eight games to play.

On the potential penalty, manager Nicholls said: “We were too far away to see if it was in or outside the box. Sometimes, these decisions go your way, unfortunately Sunday it didn't.

“Even looking at the replays it could have gone either way but there have been a lot of close calls this season and the luck hasn’t fallen to us.”

The day starting so promisingly as the City side were the first women’s team to play at the new FWD-IP Community Stadium. The teams were led out by the City under-12 girls’ team on a sunny afternoon in front of approaching 200 supporters.

City’s top-scorer Faith Harrison was first to threaten as she picked up the ball on the right and sprinted past the full-back but shot straight at the St Albans goalkeeper.

The visitors scored with their first attack with both defence and keeper Erica Meale being too slow to react, allowing Kiera Ward to drift in unmarked at the far post and score.

Harrison went down injured on ten minutes but after a lengthy delay was able to carry on. Captain Jade Barratt, who has decided to end her two-year association with City and move to Sudbury in the National League, shot from 25 yards.

City almost equalised when Barratt hit a free-kick into the box, was touched on by Harrison which the opposition keeper spilled and almost ended up the back of the net before she cleared. Harrison then beat her marker again but the shot from a narrow angle was saved.

The best chance of an equaliser fell to Holly Plummer, making her debut on loan from Cambridge United, when she collected a long Meale goal kick and took the ball into the area only for the keeper to save well with her legs.

The frustration was getting to City as the goalscoring chances went begging and Harrison was booked for a foul.

Faith Harrison battles for Cambridge City Ladies against St Albans.Picture: Pauline Muncey
Faith Harrison battles for Cambridge City Ladies against St Albans.Picture: Pauline Muncey

St Albans began to assert themselves as the half came to a close. Meale saved well and Isobel Beeson was having a good game in the centre of defence clearing a free-kick with her head and tacking well.

Harrison attacked this time on the left and her cross was almost bundled in by Anais Winney.

As the second half started, Plummer shot narrowly wide before Beeson and Sakina Dhirani then had to make some last-ditch tackles and Meale was called into action on more than one occasion.

Harrison was still a danger and almost contributed to breaking the deadlock in the final minutes when her surge into the box was halted by the defender with unsuccessful shouts for a penalty. The striker’s free-kick was cleared in the last action of a controversial final minute.

“I thought it was fantastic for everyone involved to see the women playing in the new stadium,” Nicholls added.

“It's another game I thought we deserved to get something from it. We had some great opportunities to get level, but unfortunately, it just wasn't our day.

“There were some really good performances and we need to keep working hard in training and improving.”

City travel to Enfield Town this Sunday.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More