Izzy MacDonald-Parry fires Cambridge South to victory over Cambridge University II
Izzy MacDonald-Parry arrowed home the only goal of the game as Cambridge South defeated Cambridge University II for the first time, in Mr Cricket Hockey East Women’s League, Division 1N.
After a sloppy opening, South started to put their passing together and moved forward down the left to give MacDonald-Parry the chance to fire in from the top of the circle.
After the break, there were chances for both sides to score as South’s defence and keeper Louise Tonkin were tested but kept the students at bay.
Kate Dixon’s prompting in central midfield was creating chances for South, with her tackling and distribution also standing out.
South had Anna Lamstaes and Jess Woodhouse green carded for heavy tackles, and that should have meant a two-minute sin-bin, but confusion meant a sub was sent on for Woodhouse.
In turn, that saw skipper Robyn Rutter shown a yellow card, leaving South with eight players for the last minute, but they saw out the match for the win.
Goals from Millie Ely and Alice Whitmore kept Cambridge City III in the hunt for the 1N title with a 2-1 win at North Norfolk.
The five-hour round trip proved worthwhile despite only 12 players being available for City.
Hannah Roberts shone in midfield and Ely’s movement up front created multiple chances, and it was from one such one-on-one opportunity that she converted.
Anita Nichols’ cross was then met by a diving celebration by Whitmore to send the ball high into the net. North Norfolk pulled a goal back to lead to an intense final few minutes for City.
City II suffered a 2-0 defeat to table-toppers Bishop’s Stortford in the Premier Division.
Up against the favourites for promotion to the national league, City’s cause was not helped by two key players being ruled out shortly before the game.
But they did have Emma Owens back in their ranks, and she nearly scored on her return, only for a deflection to go narrowly wide.
Iona Tripp had a near-post diving shot cleared off the line by a defender, but despite City dominating the first 30 minutes, Stortford went ahead before half time.
As City chased an equaliser, which was a tough task given Stortford had only conceded from three penalty corners all season, they were hit on the counter-attack as the leaders got their second.
