Match reports written by Zach M Yr10 Student Manager
First Round: Cambourne 4:1 Netherhall
The lads started with a scintillating win over Netherhall, with goals from Henry M, 2 from Theo P — including an absolute screamer — and 1 from Luke C. The first half ended 1–1 with goals from both sides. In the second half the boys turned it on and scored 3 great goals in quick succession, and the game was dead and buried by the final whistle.
Second Round: Cambourne 3:3 Bottisham (4–2 on penalties)
The boys started off slow, conceding 2 soft goals. A moment of magic turned it around with an absolute pile driver from Theo P. 2–1 at half time, something to fight for. But yet again the boys started slow, conceding another — 3–1. Ten minutes to go, a quick double substitution from the gaffer, bringing on Will A and Mustafa A. Instant impact: a ball over the top from Mustafa A and Will A pounced on the end of it — a tidy finish, 3–2.
Last‑minute corner ball, everyone is up for it. A brilliant ball from Mustafa A, headed by the opposition player, fell at Jack J’s feet and he volleys it into the top corner. A moment for the ages — 3–3, last kick of the game.
Now penalties. Two fantastic saves from Roman P‑S and a brilliant penalty from Mustafa A and the game was over. A great comeback and the boys are through to the Semi‑Finals.
Semi‑Finals: Chesterton 2:2 Cambourne (2–4 on penalties)
The lads started off fast with a great ball over the top and Will A was in behind the back line and lobbed the keeper with a cheeky finish, 0–1 to Cambourne. Then the game turned into a cagey affair; Chesterton’s star player took it past a few of our players and his shot hit the post and unluckily hit off Rory W and went in our own net. An unlucky setback — 1–1.
Chesterton are back on the attack — a shot from the edge of the box whistles past Roman P‑S, a great finish — 2–1 Chesterton. The boys are losing at halftime.
The second half was a bit of a dog fight: constant pressure from Chesterton, a couple of outstanding saves from Roman P‑S, and the boys have a lifeline. Finally, an opening — Henry M gets through on the right and swings a cross into Will A, and he bundles it across the line. 2–2.
The ref blows for full‑time — 2–2 — penalties again. Yet again Roman P‑S makes a fantastic save and their player smacks it against the bar. Mustafa A, again to win it, smashes it home. The boys are through to the Final!!
The Final: Cambourne 3:0 Cottenham – Newmarket Town FC
The final started off scrappy — a great goal‑line clearance from Ronnie S kept the game at 0–0 going into halftime. Pressure again from Cottenham — a fantastic save from Roman P‑S to tip it onto the post, still 0–0. A scrappy corner from Cottenham falls to their captain inside the 6‑yard box, and he smashes it against the bar. A let‑off for the boys.
Chance for Henry M — he smashes it into the side netting and the boys are 1–0 up. This saw the shift of the game; the lads turned it on. Ronnie S wins a free kick on the right‑hand side, Theo P crosses it into the box and Henry M rises highest to head it home. 2–0, the boys are in fantasy land.
Relentless pressure from Cambourne — Theo P gets the ball on the edge and cracks one on the volley and it whistles past the goalkeeper. 3–0, game over. The rest of the game the boys kept pushing for more, but it just didn’t happen. The lads cruised to the final whistle — Cambourne 3, Cottenham 0.
Absolute scenes — District Final Winners, U15 Champions.
Squad
Dylan J, Jack J, Theo P, Frankie B, James B, Rory W, Moses C, Jasper M, Mustafa A, Henry M, Roman P‑S, Ronnie S, Will A, Harry B, Haydn W, Luke C.
Student Manager – Zach M