Cambridge City Hockey Club’s two first two have a mixed return to league action
On their return to Vitality England Hockey Division 1 South action after the winter break, Cambridge City suffered a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Canterbury to remain bottom of the table.
Hosting City, who have won just once all term, got off to the worst possible start when the ball was gifted to a visiting forward to fire home unopposed.
A second Canterbury goal soon followed, but City grew into the contest and managed to level up the scoreline.
First the deficit was halved by Kat Petch after she made the most of the space she was afforded and then a subtle deflection from Hannah Bloy to finish off a sweeping team move restored parity.
However, the experienced visitors went on the take control of proceedings again and two further goals ensured they travelled back to Kent with all three points in tow.
City will travel over the Norfolk border on Saturday (February 11) looking to make up ground on eighth-placed Harleston Magpies, who are three points better off ahead of the contest.
Elsewhere, Cambridge City II remain mid-table in the East Women’s League Premier Division standings following their thumping 5-1 home win over Norwich City.
City were in top form in front of goal, particularly during the first half when they got the better of the visiting Norwich goalkeeper on four occasions.
Imogen Callaghan broke the deadlock from a well-worked short corner routine, with the advantage duly being doubled by Ella Houghton, who was alert to the rebound after Emma Owens had been denied.
May Busher’s low strike from inside the circle crashed against the backboard for 3-0, with City’s fourth coming courtesy of Megan Higgs.
With the damage done, the second half proved to be much more of an even affair, although City did manage to claim one more goal when Rachel Millington-Clark nutmegged the Norwich goalkeeper after being picked out by Busher.
In the East Women’s League Division 1 North, Cambridge City ran out slender 1-0 winners from their short trip to Cambridge University II.
City struggled at times to deal with the students’ aggressive press, yet a close-range finish from Katie Gibson settled the outcome.
A goal from Fran Burn earned Cambridge City IV a 1-1 draw from their East Women’s League Division 2 North West derby against Cambridge Nomads.
The experienced Burn fired City in front with a trademark powerful strike, but it was not enough to claim all three points for her team.
A hat-trick from Anna Gomez helped East Women’s League Division 3 North West leaders Cambridge City V to record a 6-0 home victory over St Neots II.
Goals from captain Laurel Tully and one from Hannah Worth put the hosts in command before Gomez took centre stage. Freya Lockwood went on to complete the scoring for City, who are now 10 points clear at the summit.
In the East Women’s League Division 4 North West, Cambridge City VI edged a five-goal contest with Cambridge Nomads II by a 3-2 margin.
Eva King and Celia Jones put City two goals to the good before Nomads responded with a couple of goals of their own. Both sides went on to have chances to score the winning goal and it eventually went the way of City and Kate Newhouse, who fired the ball high into the net with a reverse stick effort.
In what was their first England Hockey Men’s Division 1 North contest since November 27, Cambridge City showed no signs of any rustiness in their 3-1 win at Olton & West Warwickshire.
An early goal for City set the tone for a dominant display from the visitors, who handed full debuts to Ollie Kinsman and Dilip Goyal, the latter having played for every other senior team at the club.
It took City just two minutes to break the deadlock when Declan Rudd deflected in a cross from Adam Price.
City’s second goal came courtesy of debutant Kinsman before Olton pulled one back following a sustained period of pressure.
However, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the 68th minute as captain Nat Farrant swept in Redvers Wilbur’s cross.
Fifth-placed City will host Barford Tigers on Saturday (February 11).
Elsewhere in the men’s section, Cammy Small helped himself to five goals in Cambridge City IV’s 7-2 win over Cambridge City Veterans in the East Men’s League Division 2 North West.
A brace from Henry Denny-Gouldson concluded the scoring for the victorious side in the inter-club fixture, while Doug McLeod and Jim Hill netted consolation efforts for the Veterans.
In the East Men’s League Division 4 North West, Charlie Ruffell continued his fine form in front of goal during Cambridge City V’s 2-0 victory over Cambridge South V.
Ruffell, who made his debut last week, opened the scoring to make it four goals in two appearances before Player of the Match Addison Scott made sure of the win with a tap in.
Like club-mate Small for the Men’s IV, Ben Journeaux bagged five goals as Cambridge City VI beat City of Peterborough VI 13-0 in the East Men’s League 4 North West.
Tim Ireland also scored a hat-trick for the league leaders alongside goals from Will Frearson (2), Will Earl (2) and one by Nigel Anns.