Cambridge University Association Football Club (CUAFC) Women’s second team, nicknamed the Eagles, took on Oxford in the second of Saturday’s (26/02) three Reserves Varsity matches, securing the crucial bragging rights for this year after an impressive 2-0 win.

The result marks three consecutive Varsity victories for the Eagles.

Oxford looked weak from the off, as they immediately looked to boot it over the top from every possession. By contrast, Cambridge got the ball on the ground and were playing the better football.

Pressure high up the pitch quickly told, as Cambridge opened the scoring within the first ten minutes. A corner was swung into the edge of the box, where left-back Tessa Doubleday was waiting to put it back across goal and into the bottom corner.

After this, Cambridge continued to push for a second, while Oxford struggled to move the ball, relying on the few counter attacks they could mount.

A nasty injury to Cambridge’s Sarah Hickman halted play for around five minutes after she sustained an elbow to the jaw, but she played through the injury.

Soon after the restart, imposing goalkeeper Hannah Weber was called into action for the first time, as she rushed out to claim a through ball with the Oxford’s striker bearing down on goal. 

With around ten minutes left in the first half, Cambridge finally doubled their advantage. A well-worked attack saw Taylor Lynn-Jones free in the box, who slotted it calmly past the Dark Blue keeper. 

From this point on, Cambridge defended resiliently and frustrated Oxford, who could not find a way through going into the half-time break.

Oxford’s defending was noticeably better in the second half, as Cambridge created fewer clear-cut chances. The Eagles midfielders peppered the goal with long-range strikes but, although the keeper looked uncomfortable a few times, nothing paid off.

As Oxford pushed for a goal late in the half, the Eagles made a number of attacking substitutions who then found space in behind the defence. Oxford managed to survive these dangerous attacks yet continued to be toothless going forward.

A dominant and comfortable performance ended 2-0 in favour of the Eagles.

Varsity Player of the Match: Sarah Hickman (Cambridge)

Teams

Eagles: Hannah Weber, Polly Hipkiss, Sarah Hickman, Rachel Blow, Tessa Doubleday, Anna Orteu, Emma Baghurst, Kate Donnachie (C), Ollie Gaughran, Taylor Lynn-Jones, Marina Martin

Substitutes: Holly Barber, Zoe Richardson, Izzy Camara, Marina Awadalla

Furies: Unconfirmed 

In the two other games taking place as part of the Reserves Varsity weekend, CUAFC Men’s second team, the Falcons, enjoyed a 3-1 win. However, the Kestrels, CUAFC Men’s third team, bitterly lost on penalties to Oxford’s Colts after the game ended 1-1.

With two wins out of three, Saturday nonetheless proved a good outing for Cambridge football.

CUAFC’s Blues squads will both be in Varsity action on Sunday 13th March at Cambridge United’s Abbey Stadium. Tickets can be purchased here.