Cambridge City Ladies to play first match at club’s new stadium in Sawston against St Albans in the Eastern Region Premier Division this Sunday
It’s been a long time coming but Cambridge City Ladies are finally about to run out onto the crisp new turf of the club’s magnificent brand-new stadium in Sawston, writes Robert Coe.
The 11-year wait for a new home for the Lilywhites was increased by a couple of months for the women’s team through a quirk of the fixture list but St Albans visit Stewart Nichols’ team on Sunday at the 3,000-capacity FWD-IP Community Stadium.
It’s a timely move with City in need of a confidence boost and a run of results in the Eastern Region Premier Division as they look to emulate the men’s team who are currently on a nine-game unbeaten streak dating back to their switch to the new ground.
City Ladies, who were previously ground-sharing in Haverhill, are attempting to move out of the relegation zone in a winnable match against mid-table opposition who they also face again in their next game.
Doing the double over St Albans could move them off the bottom and put pressure on the teams above including Wroxham, who they beat earlier in the season, and Watford.
Captain Jade Barratt is looking forward to leading out her youthful team, with an average age of just 17, on Sunday.
“It’s been a long wait but we are really excited to finally be in the new stadium,” said the defender.
“It is a massive occasion for the club and a great opportunity for this young squad to show what they’re capable of.”
Barratt is confident her team will rise the occasion and added: “After a difficult start to the season, I know we will give everything we’ve got to try and get a really valuable three points.”
It will also an exciting day for Paul Burling, director of Ladies & Girls Football, who has been at the club for over 20 years and 11 years with the women’s set up.
“All at Cambridge City Women are delighted to finally get the opportunity to play at this fantastic new stadium,” he said.
“We would like to thank the developers Satchells for their incredible work on this project and hope the new ground will signal the same amazing upturn in form that the men’s team have seen.
“It’s the start of an exciting new chapter for Cambridge City Women and Cambridge City as a whole.
“We will be opening the bar and hope to have a good turnout from our supporters. I also hope this will showcase the women’s team to potential new sponsors.”
City welcome back top-scorer Faith Harrison to the team after an ankle injury but are without the versatile Freya Turner and Cambridge United loanee Natasha Coe, who has been sidelined for a month with a back injury picked up in the defeat at Haringey.
Cambridge City Ladies v St Albans, Sunday 3pm kick-off. Adults £5, concessions £3, children free.