Cambs FA U16's win the EACC Competition
Monday, 12 May 2008.
For the second year running Cambridgeshire FA's Under 16's have lifted the Cup in the East Anglian Counties Competition
The Under 16s knew that to win the East Anglian Counties Championship for the second year running they would have to beat their Hertfordshire opponents by a 3 goal margin!
On a Saturday afternoon with temperatures in the mid 70’s the match kicked off but after only 3 minutes the game had to be halted due to the Hertfordshire goalkeeper sustaining a serious ankle injury which required him being taken to hospital. This resulted in a delay of 50 minutes before the game restarted and it meant that Hertfordshire had to replace their keeper with an outfield player.
The game was a fairly even encounter in the opening stages, but midway through the half substitute Ross Paterson scored the opening goal to put Cambridge on their way. However, Hertfordshire responded gamely and battled their way back into the game and they were rewarded with the equalising goal on the stroke of half time.
It was now back to square one for Cambridge knowing that 3 goals would be needed in the second half to retain the title. Changes were made during the half time break and the Cambridgeshire team came out with more urgency and 5 minutes into the second half James Lane scored with a fine volley to put them 2-1 up.
Now it was game on and with 40 minutes left could Cambridge get the 2 goals they required?
They produced some excellent football and with the defence looking solid they were creating numerous chances but these came and went. However, with 20 minutes to go an excellent piece of individual play from Luke Berry saw him fire the ball into the roof of the net to make the score 3-1.
Could they now get the 4th goal required?
The time was gradually ticking away and chances were being squandered but with 5 minutes left Luke Berry broke through to calmly slot the ball under the advancing goalkeeper to make it 4-1.
It was now just about defending solidly and holding out for the final whistle and when this came it meant that the title had been retained.
It was a fantastic effort by the Cambridgeshire team who in previous matches in the League had probably underperformed. But they responded in this game and showed their character to produce a performance which they can all be proud of. Both teams should be commended for the way they not only battled against the heat to produce a good entertaining match, but also for the way they approached the game after the injury to the Hertfordshire goalkeeper.
Finally the Cambridgeshire management and team would like to wish the Hertfordshire goalkeeper a speedy recovery from his injury.
Alan Elbrow