Actonians 4 - 0 Cambridge City

A number of changes in the Actonians lineup this afternoon to face Cambridge City in their first home league game of 2023-24. Maria, Jess, Isi and captain for the afternoon Meila all returned to the side. Shakes, Jas, Olivia, Jen and goalkeeper Amber all kept their places in the starting XI, and there were competitive debuts for Camila and Isabel. Justine, Amber, Mara and Sophie filled the places on the bench as Actonians went in search for their first points of the season.

There was no time wasted at all in breaking the deadlock. Maria collected a return pass from Shakes in the 2nd minute and placed her shot low inside the goalkeeper’s far post. An almost identical interchange with Maria and Shakes 2 minutes later saw Maria run through the same channel but this time her effort was blocked by the keeper’s leg. The chances continued to be created. Isabel’s 5th minute free kick went wide, Maria being sent through yet again by Shakes required another block and Meila’s header was also saved. Shakes looked like scoring when Maria turned provider but the linesman’s flag was raised. All this in the first 10 minutes. Camila had a shot saved in the 13th minute but 60 seconds later it was 2-0. Shakes closed in on the keeper and won possession tapping the ball home. The confidence began to flow through the whole side. Isi ran almost the entire length of the pitch with 16 minutes gone and found Jas but the keeper was quick to narrow the angle before she got her shot in. Maria went on a run of her own in the 24th minute from inside her own half and was tripped up on the edge of the area. Meila hit the resulting free kick against the bar and Olivia was the quickest to react to put away the rebound. 3-0. A clever flick from Shakes sent Camila towards goal in the 30th minute but the flag was raised. A very close call. Actonians won a penalty 3 minutes later which Shakes took but the impressive Cambridge City keeper guessed the right way and pulled off a great save. Jas nearly scored from the corner straight after but her header was headed off the line. In the closing minutes of the half Camila and Shakes both had shots saved but despite one way traffic the scoreline wasn’t added to. Half-time 3-0.

Actonians continued to be the much stronger side in the second half. Jas and Isabel had shots saved early on and in the 59th minute Shakes attempted an overhead kick from a Maria corner which was also saved. Shakes had another shot blocked 2 minutes later and in the 65th minute the first changes were made. Amber and Mara came on to replace Shakes and Isabel. Maria saw another good effort narrowly clear the bar before turning provider again in the 80th minute squaring the ball to Amber who tapped home to make it 4-0. In the 85th minute Justine came on and almost made an immediate impact crossing to Amber but this time the keeper blocked her shot. A final substitution in the 88th minute saw Sophie replace Camila and Actonians saw the game out. Full time 4-0.

A much needed win today and an excellent display from this Actonians side. The Cambridge City keeper deserves a mention as if it wasn’t for her numerous saves the victory could have been even more emphatic. The Actonians back line were solid when called upon with Jess and Olivia a very strong central pairing, a first clean sheet for the club for Amber, the midfield trio controlled the game and the front three looked like scoring every time they attacked. What stood out the most though was the excellent combination of Jennie and Maria down the right hand side of the pitch with Cambridge City unable to get anywhere near them. It would be too difficult to pick just one of them for player of the match so today they share that award. Well done to everyone though and roll on next Sunday when Ashford Town are our visitors to Rectory Park.

Report by Neil Hayward