Cambridge City Hockey Club’s men’s first team forced to settle for a point against bottom side Barford Tigers

Cambridge City had to settle for a 2-2 draw from their home clash with the England Hockey Men’s Division 1 North’s basement side Barford Tigers on Saturday.

Hosting City made a bright start to the contest and made it count in the 10th minute with the opening goal.

Conor Annand was the scorer, applying the finishing touch to a driven cross from captain Nat Farrant.

However, Barford restored parity within three minutes when Kavaldeep Jabbal seized on some hesitation in the City defence.

City had the lead again when Adam Price found Farrant in the same space Annand had occupied earlier, with a push finish getting past the goalkeeper.

But the advantage was once more short lived as a bobbling pass evaded the defence and found an unmarked striker on the far post.

The game heated up in the second half when a Barford player shoved a City player to the ground, who responded in kind and both picked up five-minute yellow cards to cool down.

City then hit the post via a Tom Spreckley drag flick before Ollie Harper was through on goal with 15 seconds left, but after rounding the goalkeeper his shot went wide after hitting the post.

Fifth-placed City will have home comforts again on Sunday (February 19) when they entertain Belper.

Elsewhere, in the East Men’s League Division 4 North West, Doug McLeod helped himself to a hat-trick in Cambridge City V’s 4-1 win against St Neots II.

After McLeod’s trio had put hosting City in the ascendancy, the scoring was completed by Simon Williams from a penalty corner.

In the Vitality England Hockey Women’s Division 1 South, bottom-of-the-table Cambridge City lost 1-0 at Harleston Magpies.

City, who have won once all campaign, will travel to fourth-placed Slough on Saturday (February 18).

In the East Women’s League Premier Division, Cambridge City II ran out 3-2 winners at the expense of Letchworth.

May Busher bagged a brace of goals for City, with Megan Higgs also on target.

Cambridge City V remain eight points clear at the of the East Women’s League Division 3 North West table despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Spalding.

Captain Laurel Tully, who also notched a goal last week, was on target for the table toppers.