Women's FA Cup 3rd round qualifier Cambridge v Lowestoft

   This week ends action saw me take in a match from the Women's FA Cup 3rd qualifying round. Some 44 ties in total and some interesting match ups too. My game of choice was Cambridge WFC v Lowestoft Town Ladies (South East Combination v Eastern Premier League). An intriguing game on paper the teams a league a part, would the teams be closely matched? Could there be an upset? Or would the higher league team and favourite prove too strong for their opponents? This is the beauty of a cup tie you just never know.
    I've seen Cambridge play a handful of times this season and so far in the South East Combination league they have blown hot and cold in games a young squad with plenty of talent their problem at times has been getting their strikers on the ball. Lowestoft actually have a pedigree in the FA Cup, winners of the competition back in 1982. This Lowestoft team however is far removed from that history having been formed just 3 years ago the team has enjoyed successive promotions to reach the Eastern Premier League one tier behind todays opponents.
   Sunshine and black clouds, taking cover or needing sunglasses were the questions before kick-off as the teams came out onto the pitch Cambridge in their usual sky blue kit and Lowestoft kitted out in vibrant pink shirts and socks with purple shorts. The last thing the 'underdog' wants to do is concede an early goal, but that was exactly what Lowestoft did as the ball was played through to Cambridge striker Laura Baker and she duly slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0 after just a minutes play. A massive boost for the home team.
    Lowestoft didn't let this early setback affect them as they set about trying to restore parity have a young and talented squad of their own who worked hard to win the ball. With Amber Rowland playing in midfield and wide player Natasha Thomas being two stand out players, it was to the latter on the right flank they tried to get the ball to as often as possible her crosses however coming to nothing. Cambridge had a couple of shots off target but it was pretty even Cambridge were however getting there strikers onto the ball an on 32 mins Laura Baker was in again to make it 2-0. The home side had a couple of opportunities to put the game out of sight in the 1st half but both opportunities went wide.
   Credit to Lowestoft there heads didn't drop they keep going and got a piece of luck on the stroke of half time as Cambridge keeper Liz Pamplin rushed out of her box to clear the ball and struck it against the on rushing Lowestoft player the ball could have gone anywhere but it looped up back over the keeper and dropped into the empty net and as the ref blew for half time it was still very much game on.
   The 2nd half started off pretty much where the 1st left off both teams had shot's off the mark before Cambridge had a player tripped in the box, a penalty was given and on 57 mins Laura Baker completed her hat-trick as she slid the penalty home. The home side were in control now Lowestoft had to take risks push forwards tackles were flying in Lowestoft had a chance through Amber Rowland but a goal line scramble saw Cambridge clear their lines. The 4th goal came on the 70 min this time the scorer was Sophie Thompson.
   The game continued to be hotly contested despite the scoreline with Cambridge not letting their foot off the pedal nor Lowestoft letting their heads drop they had to push on however and space was appearing at the back Cambridge won the ball deep on the left and the ball was fed across the six yard box evading everyone on 90 mins except Hannah Bodily who slotted the ball into the net to seal a 5-1 victory and with in progress into the FA Cup 1st round proper. An entertaining game to watch involving two commited sides.