Cambridge United stay second in Junior Premier League after 3-2 win over Goffs Oak

A lacklustre Cambridge United Women Under-18s kept the pressure on the Junior Premier League summit with a 3-2 victory at bottom-placed Goffs Oak on Saturday.

Despite going two-up and seemingly in control, the young U's, who were missing several players, allowed the home team back into the game with some calamitous defending before getting the winner with 14 minutes remaining.

Isabella Gjergji, Emilia Reinhardt and Jasmine Fox – with an excellent finish to secure the points – were on target for Sean Greygoose and Charlotte Crisp's team, who remain two points behind leaders Haringey Girls having played two games more.

The first goal came in the 20th minute when Gjergji picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and hit a shot that was too strong for the home goalkeeper.

Top goalscorer Reinhardt then pounced on the stroke of half-time when she got to the ball just in front of the defender to poke in from close range.

However, Goffs Oak pulled one back immediately after the restart with a long ball forward that caused panic in the United defence and allowed the striker to finish.

And midway through the second half the home team were level after more indecisiveness between United goalkeeper Lily-Grace Cooke and her backline. The United defence had numerous chances to clear with the loose ball eventually falling to the striker, who hit a lifted shot into the back of the net.

Boss Greygoose then made a flurry of substitutions as he attempted the regain the ascendency and the game was won with a rare moment of class and the best move of the game. Gwen Davis-Jones picked up the ball in her own half and hit a pinpoint ball to Fox on the right flank. The midfielder took the ball into the area and avoided two challenges before firing ball through the goalkeeper's legs to score the decisive goal.

Greygoose said: “We approached the game with the Cambs Invitational fixture on Sunday in mind so we wanted to be careful with players' minutes.

“We were also missing Olivia Welham, Natasha Coe, Lilly Horsler and Holly Plummer due to unavailability. We knew that it would be a different type of game and although we wanted it to be done early on, you can't just turn up and get a result. You have to make sure you do the basics well.

“A big thing for our players is the mindset and making sure how they approach every game no matter who we play.

“We created loads of opportunities, however the end product in the final third was lacking slightly.”

“Although the scoreline suggests the game was close, we never felt out of control and I knew if we needed to, we could go again and score.

“It was good to see the goals shared between Emilia, Jasmine and Isabella. Charlotte made the point at the end that we will learn more from a game like this when we watch the video back than other games where we have been really comfortable. Credit to Goffs Oak who made it a game.”

The young U's are now seven points ahead of third-placed West Ham as they look to at least match last season's runner-up position.

Meanwhile, Cambridge United Women – containing a raft of under-18s – progressed to the semi-finals of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup the following day with a 2-0 victory over last season's winners Whittlesey Athletic.

New signing Becca Stephenson was one of the scorers as the U's progressed to face Newmarket Town at the Tristel Global Stadium on Sunday, 16 March.

Cambridge return to action on 1 March when they travel to She Can Play Panthers.