Cambridge leads the men’s football premiership after a 2-1 home victory over Hamilton Wanderers at John Kerkhof Park on Easter Monday.
Josh Clarkin
The top of the table Northern League clash came only three days after The Reds shared the spoils 1-1 in atrocious weather conditions against Melville United at Gower Park in Hamilton.
Goals to Blake Taylor and Joshua Clarkin gave Cambridge the lead against Wanderers with time up and extra time on the clock.
Right on 90, substitute Connor Cloete silenced the home crowd with a bolter of a strike on the angle and when Matthew Dale got his second yellow card, and had to leave the field, Wanderers went on the attack.
Bizarrely there were 13 minutes of extra time and when the ref blew full time, no doubt caused by the time it took him to issue 12 yellow cards, spectators breathed huge sighs of relief.
The Cambridge defence held firm – goalie Stefan Heuberger was outstanding – and the league’s newcomers showed last year’s results were no fluke. They have class aplenty and look at home in the higher league.
Heuberger had a busy night on Good Friday as well against Melville who peppered his goal with shots. Campbell Martin was player of the match for his relentless work in midfield.
Joshua Clarkin opened the scoring with a 52nd minute penalty in a game littered with yellow cards – three to Cambridge and four to Melville.
Victory was in The Reds’ sights – playing in black as the away team – until the memorable 90th minute when Ryen Lawrence scored for Melville and referee Andres Castros issued Clarkin with one of the yellow cards.
Bella Stark was player of the match and scored the only goal as Cambridge women beat Northern Rovers 1-0 away at McFetridge Park in the women’s championship.
Clubs like Cambridge Football, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, have invested heavily into infrastructure. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
