Cambridge City 2-1 Haringey Borough match report: George Smith and Jack Thompson score in Lilywhites’ latest Isthmian League North Division victory

Cambridge City continued their impressive run of Isthmian League North Division form with a 2-1 home victory over Haringey Borough this afternoon.

The Lilywhites, who have now collected 22 points from the last 24 on offer, fell behind early on at the FWD/IP Community Stadium but they responded with two quickfire first-half goals to stretch their unbeaten run that dates back to 10 December.

And while boss Jamie Cureton did not want to entertain talk of the play-offs following the midweek victory over Ipswich Wanderers, the gap to the top five has been cut down to four points.

The visitors arrived in Sawston on a run of five league games without a victory, yet they showed no signs of lacking any confidence in the opening exchanges when the deadlock was broken after just four minutes. Matthew Young pulled the ball back from the left byline for Zayshaun Asamoah, who saw his low shot deflect beyond the reach of City goalkeeper James Philp.

Rocked by the setback, it took City a little while to settle into the contest. Smith snatched at a couple of openings from the edge of the box while Ramiah Mills looped a header over from Alfie Mason’s left-wing cross.

However, it did not take Smith too long to find the shooting boots that have served him so well this season. With Haringey appealing for handball, Jack Thompson split the centre-back pairing of Tom Boxer and Scott Mitchell with a laser-like pass from the halfway line that sent Smith clear and he made no mistake with a calm finish past an advancing Jack West Astuti in the 32nd minute.

That was the striker’s 15th goal of the campaign in all competitions and it provided City with the platform to take the lead seven minutes later. Smith switched play from right to left for Samrai Gebrai, who jinked his way into the box before seeing his shot blocked. Thankfully for the home side, Thompson was alert to the rebound and he forced the ball over the line from close range.

Smith had the chance to double his tally for the afternoon shortly after the restart having been put in the clear by Gebrai’s lofted pass, but the striker’s touch was slightly too heavy and that allowed Astuti the chance to make the block.

At the other end Haringey had struggled to create anything clear cut, although that changed with 15 minutes remaining when substitute Alexander Nicolaides spotted Philp off his line but he could not get enough lift on his effort.

Meanwhile, in their next attack City left-back Mason went agonisingly close to scoring a goal of the season contender. A determined Alex Warman drove forward into the Haringey half and then squared a pass for Mason, who from 25 yards out bent a shot with the outside of his left boot that cannoned against the post.

Ultimately the cushion of a third goal would not come despite some promising moments in the closing stages, but eighth-placed City saw out the remainder of the contest largely untroubled.

Cambridge City: Philp, Ashley, Gipson, Randell, Mason, Carter (Warman 65’), Dicks (Mubiayi 84’), Thompson, Mills (Davidson 65’), Gebrai, Smith

Haringey Borough: Astuti, Olufemi (Kufuor 46’), Poyraz, Durojaiye, Boxer, Mitchell (Richards 65’), Asamoah (King 80’), Hervel (Nicolaides), Djossi-Sambu, Young, Leacock-McLeod

Attendance: 631