3rd December 2024
Cambridge City vs Waltham Abbey @ FWD-IP Community Stadium - Sawston, nr. Cambridge
Isthmian League North Division (Step 4)
19:45 KO
£10 entry
Attendance - 442
Half-time score: Cambridge City 0-0 Waltham Abbey
Goal:
Waltham Abbey: Hallett - 81'
Final Score: Cambridge City 0-1 Waltham Abbey
An exciting one tonight to check out a brand new non-league stadium, and one that has been a long time coming. Cambridge City, a team with a deep history, a team who used to regularly attract a larger crowd than their higher level neighbours, have been without a home since 2013. The club has flitted between groundsharing at Histon and St Ives Town for the past 11 years, but now this historic club finally has a ground of their own, and in a good location. Perched on the northern edge of Sawston, one of many villages in the Greater Cambridge area that have expanded into mini-towns, they have a large catchment area from which to draw supporters. Indeed, I work nearby, and many of my colleagues live in this area and there has been a huge buzz around the ground. Add in the fact that their manager is legendary striker Jamie Cureton (23 goals for Col U in the Championship to win the Golden Boot, those were the days!), the future looks good for The Lilywhites!
Today's game was only the 2nd ever Cambridge City game at this stadium, the first happening four days earlier as they hosted Tilbury, sadly losing 2-1 on the day, but with an attendance of 1,459 it was some opening! I was sure today would not hit these high numbers, but was still anticipating a big crowd for this league. Cambridge City needed a result today flirting close to the relegation zone, with visitors Waltham Abbey in the play-off mix and looking to prevent Cambridge City's first win in their new ground.
The stadium looked impressive from the outside, with a nice large Cambridge City logo emblazoned on the side.
On the way in I grabbed a printed match day programme for £3, was pleased to see this great tradition being carried on in this shiny new stadium.
Having worked late I was in much need of some food, and there were a couple of burger vans within the stadium, of which I went to the larger of the two. I ordered a cheeseburger with onions and opted in for the 'sweet chilli slaw', as I've never seen that before, hasn't made it's way up to Norfolk yet :D. It made a nice change and overall the burger was very good and I was tempted to get a second and did nearly cave in, instead opting for a drink.
It was a bitterly cold evening but still, and lining up for the very first time under the lights at the FWD-IP stadium were Cambridge City in their white and black home colours, with Waltham Abbey in their home green and white hoops.
KEY MOMENTS
CC = Cambridge City
WA = Waltham Abbey
9' - CC - A Waltham Abbey backpass goes wrong and is heading into the bottom right corner, but keeper Robinson just manages to get to the ball to turn it out for a corner.
23' - CC - Richardson flicks on a long goal kick to send Gebrai free down the left, he takes the ball into the box and shoots but his effort goes the wrong side of the post and slams into the side-netting.
30' - WA - Eyoma whips a brilliant ball into the box from the left, Domafriyie is on the end of it but his header is narrowly wide of the goal.
37' - WA - From a corner, the ball is recycled out to Koranteng on the right, from the edge of the box he shoots and his effort skims over the top of the crossbar, close!
40' - CC - Cambridge City have a free-kick 25yrds out, Jamie Dicks steps up and goes for goal, his effort is struck well and looks to be dipping into the top right corner, but it doesn't dip quite enough and flies over.
59' - WA - Asamoah powers down the right and squares the ball into the box to find Domafriyie, but his first-time shot is blazed over the bar.
77' - WA - Free-kick 30yrds out, Brown goes for an audacious effort, it is dipping into the bottom left corner, but Ghag gets down well to make the save.
81' - WA - GOAL (0-1) - Cambridge City are on the attack, Greene is fouled but the referee waves play-on, Waltham Abbey counter down the left, a shot comes in and is blocked but it spins out to substitute Hallett at the far-post and he fires in from close range, Waltham Abbey in the lead and well-deserved to be fair.
I was hoping to see Cambridge City's first win at their new ground, but it was not to be unfortunately, and on balance Waltham Abbey were the better side, passing the ball crisply and causing Cambridge issues on the break. However, both defences were on form tonight and snuffed out most attacks, with the solitary goal coming in a controversial manner when what looked to be a clear foul as Cambridge nearly broke through was denied, before Waltham Abbey went up the other end to score, typical. All-in-all, I thought Cambridge played alright against a clearly very talented side, and three players in white and black caught my eye, Alfie Mason at left back had a strong game both in defence and attack, Alex Warman looked a cultured midfielder in the centre of the park and Marcel Lewis added some much needed impetus in attack when he came on. I was also impressed with the set-up at Cambridge City, it looks like it will be a non-league staple for years to come. The ground is clearly still being commissioned, with the large indoor area under the main stand closed, and with various good quality portacabins dotted around the ground housing the dressing rooms, bar and toilets, as well as various food vans around the perimeter which I thought was a nice touch. Once fully commissioned, which I presume is the plan, it will be a spectacular venue to rival many National League clubs. Hopefully this is the start of a new era at a fine club, here's to hoping Cambridge City can get some results to move away from the relegation zone as the hunt for their first win at the FWD-IP continues, and I hope to be back soon, which I'm sure I will!
Line-Ups:
CAMBRIDGE CITY: Gene Ghag, Giani Ashley, Alfie Mason, Jayden Gipson, Jayden Randell (C), Alex Warman, Tom Richardson, Samrai Gebrai, Shane Temple, Aaron Greene, Jamie Dicks. SUBS: Ed Tassell, Marcel Lewis, Ryan King, Junior Mubiayi, Beau Masters-MacDonald.
WALTHAM ABBEY: Bradley Robinson, Kayden Williams, Nathan Koranteng, Declan Rydings (C), Edwin Mensah, Kieron Cathline, Richard Asamoah, Nicholas Brown, Prince Domafriyie, Aaron Eyoma, Kymani Thomas. SUBS: Babadi Kamara, Luke Deslandes, Troy Chiabi, Jason Hallett, Sam Robins.
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