Ladies bow out of cup

Royston Town Ladies 0

Cambridge City Ladies 2

ROYSTON'S quest for a place in the final of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup came to an end on Sunday with a strong Cambridge City coming out on top.

Playing with an experimental 3-5-2, the hosts started brightly and had most of the possession during the early exchanges.

However, City gradually got into their game and started to pressurise Town's back three of Leanne Buchanan, Marie Miller, and Gemma Barlow forcing a succession of corners.

And it was from one of these that only a desperate goal line clearance by Amy Barlow, and a double save from keeper Amy Walker, kept the scores level.

After 30 minutes the deadlock was broken, with a City striker making a clever run through the middle of Town's defence before slotting the ball home.

After the break Town produced a battling performance, which was typified by Clare Ratty, who had an outstanding game on the right hand side of midfield.

A surging run by skipper Victoria Foulger was nearly rewarded, but with only the keeper to beat from six yards, she blazed the ball over the bar.

Great link-up play between Victoria Foulger and Laura Foulger created another good chance, and the introduction of Emma Chaffey and Daniela Lewis with 20 minutes to go made an immediate impact, with the visitors having to defend a series of attacks.

Then with five minutes left, Royston suffered a lapse in concentration and as a result they were punished with a second City goal that ended their hopes.

Royston manager Kevin Foulger said: "I was pleased with the way we adapted to the new formation.

"Let's hope we can take this type of performance into our next league game.