Cambridge City crashed out of the Dr Martens Cup at the semi-final stage with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at the hands of an eager Moor Green side at the Moorlands.

Gary Roberts included new signing, from Stevenage Borough, Richard Scott in a central midfield role in place of the injured Stuart Niven, whilst Robbie Simpson was deployed on the left wing as a replacement for Louis Riddle who began a four-match suspension. That meant a recall for top scorer Danny Bloomfield who partnered Carl Wilson-Denis in attack.

City made a bright start to the match and carved out a decent early chance after only seven minutes. A good turn on the edge of the box by Simpson presented a chance to put the home side under early pressure. His pass found Carl Williams who saw his effort saved by Adam Rachel, with Bloomfield unable to force home the loose ball. A minute later, the visitors were stunned as the Moors took the lead. John Frain played a delightful ball behind the City backline and Peter Faulds nipped in score.

Moor Green were good value for their lead and despite playing some neat football at times on the near-perfect surface, City were unable to create anything worthwhile themselves. All too often the ball was given away in a rather tepid first half. Scott’s wayward strike after 30 minutes, after being set up by Wilson-Denis was symptomatic of their first half. On the stroke of halftime, the home side went close to stretching their advantage with a quality move. Jae Martin cut inside Matt Langston and sprayed a pinpoint ball to Phil Trainer out on the left wing. City’s defence, not for the first time, were mesmerized and the winger’s cross was met with a powerful header from Rob Elmes forcing Martin Davies to tip the ball over the bar at the expense of a corner.

City were relieved to hear the halftime whistle and a chance to re-group.

Things got no better after the break as Moor Green went in search of a second goal. They were rewarded in the 57th minute, Jamie Petty swung in a great cross from the left and Elmes looped a header past Davies’ despairing dive and into the net. City suddenly had a mountain to climb and their plight was not helped when, minutes later, Wilson-Denis was forced to limp out of the action after taking a knock.

With a two-goal lead under thir belts, the Moors began to really take a grip on the game. Their inspiration was Faulds in the middle of the park. On 71 minutes, he produced another sublime moment for the hosts. Picking up the ball deep in his own half, the midfielder ran forcefully into enemy territory. His first attempted throughball was thwarted by Lee Chaffey’s interception, but from the rebound he found Martin whose effort was turned onto the upright by Davies and scrambled to safety.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Moor Green put the game well out of City’s reach with a well-taken third goal. Frain was again at the heart of things, reacting quicker than Rob Miller and Lewis Baillie to a loose ball before threading it into the path of Elmes on the left. The striker bagged his second goal of the game, carefully lobbing the advancing Davies to complete a miserable night for the visitors.

There was still time for substitute Luke Hughes to go close for City, his smart turn and shot in the penalty area producing a fine reflex save from Rachel, but soon afterwards, the final whistle sounded and this seasons adventure in the Dr Martens Cup was all over Gary Roberts’ men.

Post match reaction