Cambridge City Hockey Club celebrate silverware for under-18 girls and women’s third team
The curtain came down on another season at Cambridge City Hockey Club and while there was one lowlight, there was also plenty to celebrate.
The success was spearheaded by the under-18 girls as they chalked up a 5-0 win over Bath Buccaneers to win the Tier 1 National Plate final.
City’s team at the Nottingham Hockey Centre was made up of youth players that have played for the women’s first and second teams this term – and that exposure to senior hockey made the difference in a convincing victory.
Imogen Callaghan and May Busher scored braces while Jess Tuff was also on target as the side secured the silverware.
Team manager Kim Small said: “What a way to go out for those at the end of their youth hockey and moving on to pastures new next year and for the rest of the squad, a brilliant foundation and high bar to get to next year. I’m confident they’ll do that and some.”
Meanwhile, the champagnes corks were also popping for Cambridge City III as they secured the East Women’s League Division 1 North title.
They wrapped it up with a 3-0 victory at St Neots courtesy of goals from Chanre Bond, Ciara Comley and Millie Ely.
Next season the team will be one of only five third XI squads across the country to play at Regional Premier level.
Other highlights on the final day of the campaign included a 9-1 win for Cambridge City II in the East Women’s League Premier Division over Sudbury.
Having also scored twice for the Under-18s, Busher went one better with a hat-trick alongside further goals from Becca Granger (2), Jess White, Kara Kilbourn, Rachel Millington-Clarke and Lexi Small.
Charlotte Denny-Gouldson followed Busher’s lead with three goals of her own in Cambridge City V’s 8-0 home derby demolition of Cambridge South IV.
Freya Lockwood (2), Laurel Tully (2) and Becky Hayward also scored for the unbeaten East Women’s League Division 3 North West champions, who finished 15 points clear of second-placed St Neots II.
However, there was disappointment for Cambridge City as they were relegated from the Vitality Women’s Division 1 South.
City went into the encounter sitting above the drop zone on goal difference, but a 3-2 defeat at Barnes – coupled with fellow strugglers Harleston Magpies beating Canterbury 3-0 – saw them demoted.
Meanwhile, in the England Hockey Men’s Division 1 North, Cambridge City signed off with a 7-3 defeat at home to the University of Durham.
City, who finished sixth in the 10-team league, fell two goals behind inside six minutes and while they responded through Alex Winn, Ollie Harper and Adam Price, the visitors won comfortably.
