W3 vs Norwich Dragons 1

The match was at home versus Norwich Dragons 1s, but it was Cambridge City 3s who brought the fire!!! 

The 3s have started the season strongly with a winning streak, so the 1-2 loss away last week was still a little bitter tasting. However, this week, Naomi brought a great big bucket of sugar left over from Halloween, but no tricks in sight, and oh what a treat Cambridge 3s gave the spectators. The head game started off pitch with an excellent warm up (shout out to Verity!), each player declaring their personal intention and commitment in contribution to the team game. 

The goals started coming from about 15 minutes into the game with Alex sending a streamer into the goal. Although excellent individual skill was on display, it was a team goal in the way that the forwards were leading and re-leading to part the defenders, like the parting of the seas, leaving the perfect channel for Alex to storm down to the top of the D where she struck the ball with power. Perhaps Alex has picked up some of that Dutch style on her recent tour! (Alex Alex Super Alex!)

A few more moments of play, with some solid work in the middle by Barks and Chanre, preventing Dragons from any retaliation. Some excellent play along both wings, with slick skills from Ciara and strong tackles from Ella, eventually building play up to a short corner. Injected by barks, then an initial fumble - perhaps a puff of smoke blurring vision in the middle on the rebound - until Millie secured the ball and bashed it against the backboard with gusto! 

A third was sneaked in before half time. Found by penetrating the dragons lair in style, landing another short corner. This time the routine was clinical, with an absolute cracker from Ms World Wide International Jetsetting Chanre. The whistle blew shortly after while setting up for Dragons push back. 

Second half and city took their time to find the next few goals. A few squeeky moments lead to 2 Dragon short corners, but city had some magical play from the back. Becki had a great pick securing a lifted ball, protecting the goal like Smaug protecting his gold. The defence kept city in the game with some more excellent picks from Laura finding the wide midfielders with her classic composure. Verity kept the communication strong and clear from the center (Bebbs was listening). 

It was a Chanre show for the next 2 goals. But she wouldn't have found them without her trusty forwards leading the way. Some wizardry play from Anita, swooping in some speedy baseline runs from the wing. Some say she could have been mistaken for the likes of Harry Potter in battle with the Hungarian Horntail, not the mere Norwich Dragons. Emily and Hannah continued to show the fire in their hearts and demonstrated some lovely team play with some beautiful 1-2s. 

Dragons seemed to find flight in the last 5 minutes, finding a few gaps on the break and scoring 2 before the end of the game. Ultimately however it was Norwich left drag[on]ing their arses off the pitch at the end of the game (credit to Barks for that one!). 

The range of votes for player of the match demonstrated the team effort this week, though deservedly so Chanre took the title! Well played everyone!

Match report - Bebbs 😁