Despite building a deserved 2–1 lead over an accomplished Bristol University side, Cambridge’s late collapse last Wednesday saw them crash out of the National Trophy. After Deniz Ozer’s strike put the Blues in front midway through the second half, Cambridge failed to hold on to their lead, squandering two goals to Bristol in lightning fashion and succumbing to a heartbreaking 3–2 loss.

Cambridge will certainly feel hard done by looking at the final score, as throughout the second period they frequently threatened to add to their one goal lead. The combination game between Ozer, striker Cai La Trobe-Roberts and substitute Asa Campbell was constantly probing, yet a brief lapse in concentration – where the Blues allowed two big Bristol chances in the space of just as many minutes – would ultimately seal their fate.

The first 45 were a fairly tentative affair. La Trobe-Roberts’ opening goal, a jabbed finish into the top right, was quickly cancelled out by a Bristol retort lashed past Aram Sarkissian’s outstretched gloves. With the score level at 1–1 for the majority of the first half, Bristol was too often afforded space in the final third, with the visitors entering the break, the side was more likely to push for victory.

“La Trobe-Roberts’ opening goal, a jabbed finish into the top right, was quickly cancelled out by a Bristol retort”

In the first period, Cambridge lacked complete self-assurance on the ball, characterised by instances of defensive miscommunication at the back. Goalkeeper Sarkissian handled Bristol’s attacks with aplomb, however, while a backline featuring Oliver Johnson, Patrick Brownlow, Josh Hickingbotham, and Tristan Martin grew into the game, ensuring that Bristol were only ever privy to half chances when they surged forwards. Brownlow, commanding in the challenge and imperious in the air, stood out for his tenacity until the final whistle.

The first half culminated with an improved final five minutes from the home team, highlighted by the Blues producing a flurry of gilt-edged chances. Josiah Riley, subbed off at half-time, was instrumental in feeding Cambridge’s nippy right winger Aaron Kay, who was unfortunate to see two of his chances saved in a matter of minutes by the away side’s goalkeeper just before the interval.

Whether it was bustling midfielder Jesse Tapnack’s introduction at the break, or a rousing team talk from coach Tom Blatch, Cambridge began to demonstrate more confidence on the ball in the second 45. La Trobe-Roberts proved to be a constant thorn in Bristol’s side, combining acceleration and hold-up play that tested the Bristol backline. Campbell’s introduction, replacing the tricky Aaron Mehmood, also added a fresh dynamic to Cambridge’s versatile attack. The Midlands Tier 1 joint top scorer was a workhorse both up and down the line and provided an accomplished assist to Ozer as Cambridge regained the lead. Ozer’s magnificent touch past a Bristol defender and placed effort into the bottom left corner gave Cambridge a well deserved advantage.

After a nerve-wracking start to the second half, where both sides had begun to grapple with the prospect of extra time, Ozer’s finessed finish released the shackles from Blatch’s side. The swagger the squad gained was evident, with players such as Johnson and Tapnack demonstrating their technical acumen on the ball. Another swerving yet saved effort from Ozer was topped minutes later by a thunderous strike from captain Reece Linney, who unleashed the ball from distance, heeding shouts of ‘shoot’ from the sidelines only to see his missile shatter off the crossbar and awkwardly bounce down onto the goalmouth.

“Bristol were up 3-2, and the Blues were stunned”

Cambridge’s sideline contingent protested that the ball had crossed the line, but their grievances would be amplified when just minutes later they found their side inexplicably down 3-2, with a mountain to climb to regain their squandered lead. With the sound of Linney’s bullet still echoing around Queens’ pitches, Bristol’s number eight was afforded ample time on the ball on the edge of the Cambridge box, and obliged by stroking home a surprise leveller past Sarkissian. As if lulled to sleep, Cambridge then failed to clear the ball effectively soon after the restart, gifting Bristol a glancing header from a looping cross. With the ball in Sarkissian’s net once again, Bristol were up 3-2, and the Blues were stunned.

Momentum is often pivotal in sport, and this sudden pendulum swing demonstrated a most unexpected turnaround in Bristol’s fortunes. Blatch immediately called his players in for an emergency huddle before the restart, urgently emphasising the energy and drive that the Blues would require if they wanted to turn around this tie and advance in the tournament. As Cambridge had demonstrated earlier, Bristol soon reaped the mental rewards that arrive with taking a lead in football, as they unearthed the composure to ping the ball around with confidence, playing keep-ball from an increasingly anxious Cambridge side.

With not long left Blatch sent on Harry Antill to partner La Trobe-Roberts up top, the number 9 immediately making his presence known by winning headers, something the Blues had consistently struggled with against a bulkier Bristol side. The above headline was very nearly rewritten after goalkeeper Sarkissian, of all people, saw his headed effort denied from a last-ditch Cambridge corner, but the final whistle that followed cemented what would be a brutal loss for a Cambridge side that had played admirably in all areas of the pitch.

The loss means that Cambridge can now focus their attention on the league, with games against Loughborough’s second and then third team up next for the Light Blues. The Bristol squad, undoubtedly accompanied on their drive home by a wry smile, will move on to play Cardiff University in the Trophy’s quarter final stage as they aim to reach the semi finals for the second time in three years.