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Cambridge Women FC 0-0 Brentwood Town 29/01/12

Cambridge Women returned to form with an excellent goaless draw against Enfield Town Ladies at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium.

Cambridge travelled to their "cousin's" on the South end of the A10 road with determination in their hearts after suffering a heavy defeat to leading lights Lewes Ladies last week. They were given a boost by good traveling support outnumbering the Townees which was helpful.

With injuries biting, Kevin Hoover's squad was stretched to the limit but just about strong enough to travel with hope of getting some kind of a result.

Before the game Kevin Hoover commented " We are traveling to Enfield in good spirits despite last weeks defeat to high flyers Lewes but with a growing injury list the strength in depth of the 1st team squad are being tested with Laura Bright, Jordan Holland and Carrie Bennett still missing." Enfield are a tough team having only lost once in the league this season.

The game started with Enfield kicking towards the ironically named Cambridge Road and straight away set about putting the visitors to the sword. The early pressure although strong was not enough to really trouble Cambridge and their defence did enough to keep home side away from Verity Crook. The visitors soon got into their stride with neat triangle passing but could not produce in the last third.

Enfield had the first clear chance when the nippy Sara Sinclair chased down a back pass to Crook. The keeper tried to clear but the ball hit Sinclair before dropping back to her. That was the lucky escape that sprung Cambridge into life. A neat move earned them a corner but Natalie Richardson's delivery came to nothing. Enfield then had another couple of chances with Sinclair firing wide. The nippy forward then hit the target with another shot but the in form Verity Crook easily saved. Cambridge then went on the attack. Laura Baker who was looking bright hit a shot on target but was saved by the home keeper. Enfield with their direct and precise play went close again when Demery passed down the line to Brandon who in turn played a pass back to Demery who sent in a dangerous cross but Pavett could not add the vital touch.

Laura Baker(right) caused problems in the first half

Cambridge then took command when a nice move between Brown, Thompson, Jenkins and Baker earned them a corner. A lovely corner Nat Richardson corner came in and was met by the impressive Brown but her effort was cleared off the line. Moments later good work by Jenkins and Brown set the lively Baker clear of the home defence. A lovely run and cross was cut out by Gooch as striker Thompson was about to tuck home. Cambridge had come to life with Sophie Thompson and Laura Baker not giving the Enfield defence any peace and created their best chance. Half time arrived with Enfield having slightly the better of the half with direct and precise passing down the channels. Cambridge played their part using short passing and hitting the home side on the break. The visitors looked fairly comfortable with none of the chances really troubling Verity Crook.

The second half started as the first with Enfield enjoying the majority of possession but rarely threatening the Cambridge goal. The Cambridge defence was wonderfully marshalled by Nicola Geoghan and Kayleigh Burt with great support from Gemma Clare whose tackling was as effective as ever. Enfield's first chance of the half came when a throw that was quickly taken set Sinclair free but she screwed a shot across the goal. Natalie Richardson who had a quiet first half suddenly burst into life with a couple of mazy runs that took her to the edge of the box but could not take the final step. Richardson's improved performance saw her set the dangerous Thompson free on goal but the attention of an Enfield defender forced her to shoot early which failed to trouble Cooper in the Enfield goal. After fifteen minutes of Cambridge dominance Enfield found a second wind and began to pile the pressure on. A free kick sent long by Demery was blazed high above the Cambridge goal and a one two move which included Sinclair ended with Pavett shooting straight at Crook.

Unbeatable Verity Crook(right) saved everything

A nervous moment came midway through the half when Jade Beckett challenged the Enfield forward who went down but the referee ignored the home sides shouts for a penalty and awarded a goal kick to Cambridge. Cambridge defender Gemma Clare then had to come off with a turned ankle which adds to the Cambridge treatment room queue. Enfield continued to apply pressure attacking down the left where the impressive Emma Jenkins began to slightly fade due to her non stop running. Within the next few minutes Enfield had four shots from the left side all of which were saved comfortably by Verity Crook who showed calm and assured handling. Despite the pressure from that side of the field Jade Beckett and Jenkins stood strong. With Cambridge holding firm and Enfield unable to get through them

Laura Brown was in imperious form.

Cambridge upped their game and began to dominate again. Larua Brown took a pass from the energetic Goodchild and flicked the ball between her legs away from her marker setting Thompson free but the forward shot weakly at Cooper. Brown and Goodchild suddenly began to run the game and Cambridge looked to sneak a late winner. Brown again produced another bit of skill and a one two with Jenkins set her running direct at the home defence. When looking like she was through on goal after seemingly getting pass the defender she ran out of steam and the defender recovered to save the day. Cambridge kept coming and had a chance as the game drew to a close when Sophie Thompson raced clear only to be thwarted by the Enfield keeper.

Sophie Thompson(left) could not convert any of her chances.

There was one last twist to events when a good passing move between Jenkins and Shannon Garner outwit the home defence and a nice bit of skill by Garner led to Enfield skipper Gooch swiping her legs away for what looked like a stonewall penalty. The appeals of the visitors were not heeded and the ball was cleared. Possibly it was a case of squaring matters from the earlier incident where the home side were denied a penalty. The game ended in a goaless draw which seemed a fair result but The Townees will be frustrated that they fall further behind the leaders. Meanwhile Cambridge showed what can be achieved if they play to their potential.

Speaking after the game Cambridge manager Kevin Hoover told Amberarmy.net

"I was really pleased with today's game, we continued where we left off last week with some great individual performances which culminated in a great team display. A point against a good Enfield Town side was totally deserved as we frustrated them for long periods but caused them enough problems to keep them honest

CAMBRIDGE -Verity Crook, Jade Beckett, Gemma Clare (Faith Hewitt), Hannah Goodchild (capt), Nicola Geoghan, Kayleigh Burt, Emma Jenkins, Laura Brown, Sophie Thompson, Laura Baker (Shannon Garner), Natalie Richardson.

ENFIELD TOWN- Cooper, Demery (Halil), Pavett, Herrett, Gooch ©, Hughes, Oliver, Lovell, Mabey, Brandon (Browne), Sinclair.

Unused Sub; McNeil

** A message from the Enfield Town officials via the press office to the travelling support of Cambridge.

The message read: "Sorry to your supporters who were put out when the bar was shut early but it was something out of our control and a teething problem that we are promised is being sorted out."