Junior Premier League: Leyton Orient Women Under-18s 2 Cambridge United Women Under-18s 2 - Emilia Reinhardt and Holly Plummer rescue point with late comeback

Cambridge United Women Under-18s came from behind to salvage a point at Leyton Orient with a spirited late fightback in a bad-tempered Junior Premier League encounter on Saturday.

After conceding two goals, including a controversial penalty, goals from top-scorer Emilia Reinhardt and Holly Plummer made it 2-2.

A poor first-half showing frustrated manager Sean Greygoose but he was naturally pleased with the late revival from his players who remain third in the table.

“Saturday was one of those where we are really disappointed as a group to come away with a point on the balance of the game but also we should some great resilience to come back from being 2-0 down to go to get a point and even had chances to win it,” Greygoose said.

“Orient scored with their first shot on goal which can happen and after that we seemed to lack some confidence on the ball and had too many unforced errors which is really unlike us.

“We have always spoken about how we want the under-18s to experience different situations and challenges which Saturday was one and again the girls reacted brilliantly to go on and score two goals.

“The big challenge for us as a group is to take more of our chances but we are creating and that’s important.”

United were quick out of the blocks with Reinhardt having a shot within 60 seconds. United should have taken the lead on 12 minutes when Millie Docking’s shot was only parried but Billie Cook found the side netting.

It was against the run of play that Orient took the lead in the 14th minute. United failed to clear a corner, the ball coming back in to the penalty area and being converted.

The goal changed the complexion of the game as Orient took control and U’s keeper Lily-Grace Cooke saved from a powerful 25-yard drive.

United’s best chance came on the hour when Reinhardt found Mae Bissett 12 yards from goal but she shot directly at the keeper.

Orient extended their lead on 68 minutes when they converted a penalty after the ball had deflected off defender Katie Watler’s arm.

However fortune went United’s way four minutes later as they won a penalty for handball, Holly Plummer making no mistake from the spot.

Orient players and coaching staff were trying to delay the game at every opportunity which caused some heated words on the touchline.

United equalised on 79 minutes when Bissett fed Reinhardt who beat the keeper for her 11th of the season.

United could have won it when Reinhardt was presented with two good chances in the closing stages but both teams had to settle for a point.

United host She Can Play Panthers at Cambourne Village College on Saturday (10.30am).