On the back of a run of 7 defeats, Cambridge travelled to the East Midlands to try to stop the rot against a University Student Development team that are 2nd in the League. Loughborough won last seasons T2 but were unable to be promoted owing to their First Team already being in T1.
Hopes were high of a result for the travelling Bees having narrowly been beaten by Loughborough 4-6 in the reverse fixture just before Christmas.
A cagey nip & tuck game ignited into action in the final 10mins of the first half with the Bees taking the lead, only to concede it within 60seconds of the restart! However, the Bees were stung and went onto to secure a 1-3 lead only to concede just before half time.
HT Loughborough 2 Cambridge 3
Second half saw Loughborough equalise within 2mins of the start. But again, the Bees were stung into attacking action and in a matter of 5mins had secured what was thought to be a commanding 3-6 lead, the third time they’d been ahead in the match but this time with a 3 goal cushion.
But this was Loughborough. A student development team full of youth, energy and a good coaching with a “never say die” attitude which saw the Bees concede 2 more goals but still have 2mins left on the clock to defend a 5-6 lead.
Alas more lack of concentration in defence saw a killer pass cut through Cambridge up to Loughborough’s wing man who squared the ball to his attacking pivot who slotted the ball home around a despairing Chay JAKES in the Cambridge goal.
Jubilant scenes from the home side & supporters ensued in recognition that despite looking defeat in the face, they’d been let off the hook!
FT Loughborough 6 Cambridge 6
🐝 Goalscorers:
Alfonso LANZA
Ignachio ZARAUZA
Josh EVERITT
Vitalii BURNUS
Yevhen TSYBA
Emilio MARTINEZ
The teams meet again THIS SUNDAY in the NFS Plate “Last 16” knockout match at Cambridge.
It should be a cracker…and there will be a WINNER!