Cambridge City battle back for Eastern Region Division One North 2-2 draw at Needham Market

Cambridge City staged a dramatic late comeback to salvage a 2-2 at fellow strugglers Needham Market in the Eastern Region Women’s Premier Division on Sunday.

Top goalscorer Faith Harrison netted from the penalty spot with nine minutes remaining to give the Lilywhites hope before substitute Tye Smith hit a stunning equaliser from 20 yards three minutes later.

Both City goalscorers had chances to get the winner but Stewart Nicholls’ team had to settle with a draw that must be viewed as two points dropped to avoid relegation with games quickly running out.

Nicholls said: “It was a frustrating day. There were numerous chances in the first half, but we came in at the break 1-0 down.”

“Spirits were still high and we had the belief we could turn it around. However, I thought we came out in the second half and looked to have lost some tempo so we changed the team around and added some fresh legs and it started to change the game.

“Unfortunately, they took a long-range effort, which Erica Neale lost in the sun, and we found ourselves 2-0 down.

“We changed the formation to a 3-5-2, and then the fightback was brilliant. We nearly got a winner, but for their defender to clear it off the line with minutes left.”

The visitors went a goal down in the fourth minute when the home team’s striker Annie Posnett outpaced the City backline and finished well.

In response, Lexie Pryke hit a long-range free-kick that was collected by the Needham goalkeeper, Daisy King’s header from a corner was saved and Anais Winney then shot wide.

Meanwhile, at the other end, City goalkeeper Neale spread her body well to prevent a second goal as the first half drew to a close.

City had a good chance to equalise when they won a free-kick on the edge of the area just after the restart but Pryke could not keep her shot down and it flew narrowly over the bar.

Smith shot straight at the goalkeeper before Needham extended their lead in the 59th minute as Posnett got her second.

With all hope seemingly gone came City managed to battle back, althought disappointingly the Lilywhites were unable to go on and get the elusive winner.

In time added-on Black played a delightful ball from the right flank that Smith hit first-time and was blocked. She collected the rebound and shot but this time it was cleared off the line by a defender.

Shortly after the ball was worked to Harrison in the centre and she hit a shot from the edge of the area that flew just wide.

Bottom-of-the-table City, who are seven points from safety, will host second-placed Luton Town on Sunday (9 March).