Second-half goals from substitutes Lily Horsler and Flo Hjaltun-Raynor kept Cambridge United Women Under-18s on track for a double as they defeated Histon Ladies 2-0 to reach the final of the Cambridgeshire Invitational Cup on Sunday, writes Robert Coe.
The young U’s, who will face Whittlesey Athletic in the showpiece event at Soham Town Rangers on 28 April, are also in the hunt for the Junior Premier League title and could still overhaul leaders Derby County, who currently three points ahead and with two games to play.
In the high-tempo derby the Stutes had goalkeeper Kayleigh Blanchard to thank for a string of fine saves, but in the end the fitness and running of the younger visitors paid dividends.
After Histon made a bright start, the tide started to turn and United got back into the game. Natasha Coe on the left dribbled and crossed in the 27th minute but Millie Docking shot wide and the visitors were thwarted by a trio of magnificent blocks by Blanchard. First came a double save to deny Docking and the best was when she pushed a Coe strike onto the crossbar.
Histon introduced forward Lola Mukiibi at the break and it made the home team more of a threat. Amie Fullwood had an effort blocked by captain Sydney Daniels, Hannah Seymour-Shove shot narrowly wide and Mukiibi was caught offside bearing down on goal.
With 74 minutes played Horsler shot from wide on the left and the ball looked to be drifting into the goal at the far post until Blanchard scrambled to save. But just two minutes later Horsler went one better with a strike into the top corner.
United’s fitness started to show with efforts from Hjaltun-Raynor and Plummer both from Coe set pieces before Hjaltun-Raynor volleyed into the roof of the net with two minutes remaining from a Plummer corner.
Histon coach Kevin Jacklin said: “Cambridge United fully deserved their victory. It is hard to accept but United looked like they wanted it more than our players. If it wasn’t for Kayleigh making some good saves the score could have been higher.”
Meanwhile, victorious boss Sean Greygoose added: “We spoke before the game about how we wanted the game to look but also how when we made changes it would affect the game which it did. The subs made positive impacts which shows the depth and quality.
“Histon kept our girls honest and made sure we didn’t switch off our defensive duties.
“I was really happy with the impact of the girls, we had Serena come back into the group and she was calm on the ball but I think the biggest thing is all the players competed well and got on top as the game went on.
“I’m really pleased to see the girls finish the game strongly and the finer details around taking our chances but I can’t fault the girls’ effort and I think that this is deserved for the endeavour and attitude the group have shown this season.”
A win over Nottingham Forest at Cambourne Village College on Saturday (23 March) would secure the U’s at least a second-placed finish in the JPL.
