We were not disappointed, as the teams served up a feast of good football played at a hectic pace throughout. The early exchanges were interrupted at both ends as first Suffolk, and then Cambs, opened their goal tallies. After just 5 minutes, when fully 25 yards from goal, Turner floated a high cross from the far left which deceived keeper, Page, and found the top corner of the net – was it a cross or a lob over the keeper?? No doubt what Turner would tell you!! However, just 4 minutes later Cambs equalised through Mason-Smith, when he met a low cross from the right and lashed the ball into the roof of the net from 15 yards – giving Noon no chance in the Suffolk goal.
The match continued to entertain as both teams were committed to open attacking football, and in the 21st minute, a good run down the right by Clark raised home supporters homes, until his progress towards the penalty area was halted by a cynical trip by Cambs skipper Daver, for which he received a caution. Just 4 minutes later his team took the lead. Again it was Mason-Smith on target when his powerful angled drive from the corner of the penalty area eluded Noon. Not long after this, Suffolk could have been back on terms when a low driven cross from the left by Turner would have reached Clark in space at the far post if not for a fine interception save by Page. With 5 minutes left of the first half, Turner created another chance – this time with a high cross from the right. Again, it needed a fine save by Page as he leapt backwards to take the ball off the head of Minns at the far post. The final action of the half was at the other end as a low corner from Molloy was met at the near post by Mason-Smith who, under pressure from a defender, could not guide the ball inside the post.
Not much between the teams in the first half, but it was the visitors who had more control over the second period. After 10 minutes the lively Jones tried his luck from long range and watched as his shot just cleared the bar. Suffolk did not sit back, however, and a break by O’Neil through the middle of the Cambs defence brought him one on one with the keeper. Again, Page did well, diving to block the shot from O’Neil. Half way through the second period, Cambs pressed the Suffolk goal, as Jones had a shot beaten out, then a dangerous cross from Davies was kicked away by Garnham, before another cross from the same player was blocked by a desperate defence. It was exciting play from the visitors and then Mason-Smith hit another powerful shot from all of 30 yards – it dipped as it neared the goal, but not enough to take it under the bar and Suffolk survived.
With 13 minutes left, Cambs scored the best goal of the match. As a high ball came to him from behind, Lane took it to ground with his right foot showing delightful skill. This not only brought it under control, but gave him time and space to look up, see where the keeper was positioned and place a delicate lob over him from just inside the box. This was the highlight of an exciting match, which had a deserved outcome.
Cambs were worthy winners, as they had proved just too strong in the second half and maintained good possession of the ball for long periods. However, the Suffolk players gave a good account of themselves and can go into their next fixture – with Essex in early December – with their heads up. Cambs, however, are looking good to keep hold of this trophy which they won last season.