Cambridge remain without a win in the BUCS Premier South after falling to a 2-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Bath at Fenner’s Cricket Ground on Wednesday, 12 November, in a game that could so easily have seen a different result on a different day.

Goals in either half condemned the Light Blues to five defeats out of five, leaving them bottom of the table having completed the first round of fixtures whilst not yet having registered a point.

But Cambridge showed signs that the end of their miserable run of form may be in sight, after appearing to match a strong Bath outfit for the most part of the game, only to see the points slip away due to a couple of costly errors.

The opening stages of the game saw Bath take control, more assured in possession and generally looking the more likely, especially out wide where they boasted a pair of tricky and skilful wingers who tested both fullbacks Preye Crooks and Jonny Dungay right from the off.

Yet the away side never really looked capable of finding the net. Whilst often finding the space out-wide, their final ball into the box were dealt with effectively time and time again by the imperious pairing of Nick Hilton and Rich Wolstenhulme, who were both excellent at centre half.

It was Cambridge however who came closest to first opening the scoring. A swift break saw a lofted delivery from Jack Congdon met by the right boot of Marcus Nielson, but his volley flew narrowly wide of the near post.

Cambridge gradually grew into the game, posing a decent threat on the counter, yet still not able to wrestle control of the game from the visitors. Bath had the ball in the net on 25 minutes but it was ruled out after a fine stop from Henry Warne in between the sticks for the Light Blues fell into the path of an onrushing forward, who was judged to be offside as he powered home.

But it was not long after that when Bath opened the scoring. Cambridge failed to clear their lines and lost the ball on the edge of the area, and after a slight scramble the Bath winger managed to turn and fire in a shot which forced another good stop from Warne, but his parry fell to the Bath player once more and he made no mistake second time of asking, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

In the Second Half, Cambridge began to eradicate their sloppiness in possession and began to build up some momentum. But again it was Bath who came closest to finding the net. They struck the post from close range on 55 minutes before a superb run from their Number 9 saw him dance his way past three defenders before rounding Keeper Warne, but he managed to force him wide enough to make the angle too acute for him to finish.

But thereafter Bath struggled to trouble the Cambridge goal. At the other end, Stephen Rawson had a well struck volley from 15 yards well blocked whilst Jack Congdon saw an effort comfortably dealt with by the Bath stopper. The combination of Alex Gaskell and Marcus Nielson looked capable of causing Bath problems, but the Light Blues failed to find that cutting edge to create any clear cut openings.

On 75 minutes, Bath had another goal ruled out, this time a 25 yard free kick that arrowed into the top corner of the net was chalked off since the free-kick had been awarded as an indirect offence.

Four minutes later Cambridge had their best chance of the game. A long ball forward was inadvertently flicked on by a Bath midfielder, sending Neilson through on goal. The forward managed to dink the ball over the onrushing keeper, only to see the ball bounce agonisingly wide of the far post.

With that miss went the game for Cambridge, as moments later Bath doubled their lead. A whipped free kick from the left hand side was met by the strong head of an unopposed Bath player, who sent the ball past a stranded Warner.

Bath could have added a third before the ninety was up, but the game finished 2-0 to the away side. Cambridge will take heart in knowing that they were able to match Bath man-for-man and were unlucky not to come away with at least a point, with defensive lapses proving costly in the end.

Cambridge travel to 4th place Chichester next week, where they will hope to avenge their opening day 1-0 home defeat and put their first points on the board for this season.