From my vantage point in the dugout looking out onto a sun soaked field (it definitely wasn’t a pitch) I saw the game like this:

2.45 KO

3mins James Wright charges down left side of field, pass to Moxy, right footed low drive flashes past right hand upright

10mins evenly matched battle, Maroons gaining upper hand in midfield

12mins Cambridge under pressure, long balls all the time, turning into a very physical game

13mins good passage one touch passing into penalty area Keegan’s shot cleared by keeper

20mins Cambridge long ball catches defence out, striker’s shot hit post rebounds off keeper and defender for own goal, just don’t believe our luck!
3mins superb cross by Dave Allan, fantastic turn just inside penalty area by Robbie Leonard, shot just saved by keeper

25mins ball won in midfield by Jason Paranihi, lovely through pass to Keegan Saville, shot flashes passed left hand upright

35mins another questionable decision by the referee, things getting tense and physical.

40mins Maroons on top the equalizer is coming

42mins another defensive clearance by shaky Cambridge defence.

Half time despite own goal Maroons have had best half, more opportunities and faced some questionable decisions

45mins second half under way, a few rash challenges un-punished by referee

50mins break out from back and great run by Dave Allan sets up Robbie Leonard, shot deflected to keeper’s hands – Back pass? Ref gave it against us in 1st half

52mins cross creates confusion in Cambridge penalty area, shot from Ben Johnstone blocked and deflected for corner

55mins attacking free kick sailed towards far post great header from Duncan Moxon saved by keeper

57mins stunning diving save by Trent, that has kept us in the game!

65mins superb run and cut back by Brad Frost just behind on-coming strikers cleared by Cambridge

70mins one way traffic now long driven shot from Jason Paranihi parried away by keeper

77mins return of team captain Steve Upfold

80mins well taken attacking corner by Dave Allan cleared by keeper off the line

82mins Cambridge long ball run and chase by striker, 2.0 down. Got caught high up the pitch chasing the game

85mins curling attacking corner headed off the line by Cambridge defence

90mins not our day, own goal, plenty of chances, Cambridge took theirs we didn’t


This was a game we were able to win and we found ourselves up against a very determined and physical Cambridge outfit. Big thank you to all our supporters for the trip down and to those on the bench who didn’t play and to Cambridge for their hospitality after the match. Ben I hope you are alright mate and you’ve still got your tooth! This was another learning experience and something we need to get over quickly. I still believe in this team so does the coaching staff. We are still improving but sadly when you are down things seem to go against you. Time to pick ourselves up and salvage something from the rest of the season, like I said this team is getting better all the time and they will see results, have faith!

Team:- Trent Hirst, Ben Jonhstone, Andy Hey, Josh Wright (Jay Presnall 45), Robbie Leonard, Dave Allan, Jason Paranihi, Duncan Moxon (Steve Upfold 77), Joseph Morris 63, Keegan Saville, James Wright (Brad Frost 58)

Subs not used: Eddie Bignell, Jethro Conway.

Man of the match: - Robbie Leonard – tremendous work ethic, attitude and creative football to produce opportunities