1st Half
Facing an unbeaten Cambridge Uni side Upminster were caught cold from the push back , within a minute a high lofted pass into the D found the Uni forward in space with time to stroke the ball home.
Looking for openings to move the ball forward Riva Siggins & Freya Long were unable to make much progress as blind passes enabled Cambridge to continually overturn possession ,their quick movement around and across the pitch pinned Upminster back inside their own half.
A battling determined display by Upminster’s defensive unit though restricted efforts on goal with Keeper Charlotte Triggs (Joint Defender of Match ) equal to the task smothering one attack ,blocking one on the baseline and combining with Rosie Hudson (Joint Defender of Match) saving a goal bound effort on the line whilst Bela Boyle (Joint Defender of Match ) and Falzon’s composed defending continually relieved the pressure as they played the ball out whilst a Cambridge S/Corner went wide of the post.
When Upminster were able to carry the play forward Siggins created an opening from wide but her pass into the D went astray whilst a driving run into the D from Alexa Marston forced a S/Corner from which the strike went wide.
2nd Half
Continued pressure from Cambridge Uni saw Upminster defending deep in numbers working tirelessly to clear the ball with GK Triggs called upon to save by the post and Drew Bailey intercepting a move to clear the danger whilst forwards Issey Uzal & Long were kept at bay as Upminster looked to move the play towards Cambridge area.
With Cambridge pressing hard a long strike just inside the D found its way through a packed area into the corner 2-0 whilst with numbers in the Upminster D a Penalty flick was awarded which Keeper Triggs saved.
Upminster continued to battle looking for the opening with Uzal & Siggins always available to receive the ball whilst a mazy run and dribble around 3 players by Imogen Hodges (Player of Match ) offered some hope as time ran out.
