Cambridge City 0 - 1 Concord Rangers

Cambridge City were in action in 2026 for the first time, welcoming Concord Rangers to the FWD-IP Community Stadium. The Lilywhites last played against Takeley at home on the 27^th December, winning 3-1.

For Concord Rangers, their last completed fixture was also on the Boxing Day weekend, losing out to Bowers & Pitsea, 4-2. The Beach Boys had played last Saturday and were leading 1-0 against Brantham Athletic, but the referee abandoned the match at half-time due to the hosts' pitch freezing and becoming unplayable.

City went into the game on the back of a 13-game unbeaten run, stretching all the way back to October 2025. Concord Rangers had hit a poor run of form, having gone 3 games win-less in all and without a win in 5 away matches.

The Essex team were the first to register a shot on target, a Frederick Buers free-kick was well struck but James Philp claimed comfortably.

There wasn't too much to shout about in the first 12 minutes. Another Buers free-kick was aimed forward, but it trickled through harmlessly for a goal-kick.

The first save, however, came in the 18^th minute. Oli Spooner found the space to send through Joe Gregory. Reggie Gregory was on hand to get a shot away which was beaten away by Philp.

Samuel Brogan linked up with Spooner again to fashion an opportunity, a sliding Alex Warman denying the Beach Boys a shot at goal. Then a City throw at the other end lead to a shot from Alfie Mason which was struck wide.

After 32 minutes, City had their first chance to score the opener. Codey Cosgrave was fouled just outside the 18-yard box and Quevin Castro stepped up to take the kick. The midfielder's effort cleared the crossbar fairly comfortably.

A corner kick came soon after, won by George Smith, which Jack Thompson whipped into the box. The resulting goal-mouth scramble was eventually cleared away.

With a minute left to play in the first 45, a free-kick from Sam Coombes was cleared down the pitch and Reggie Gregory began the Concord break. He also finished it when he latched onto the pass and leathered the ball home to give the visitors the lead. Concord remained in the lead at half-time.

Concord started the second half in a similar vein. Brogan received the ball on the wing and his first cross was cleared. The second cross was blocked behind for a corner. The corner lead to a goal-mouth scramble, the ball then came out to Tambeson Eyong, who lashed his shot wide from distance.

City soon started to move forward for the equaliser, City controlled the midfield, moving from right to left and Thompson, with the help of Warman, found Aaron Williams-Bushell, the cross, however, was straight into the arms of Charlie Brown.

With 57 minutes, Quevin Castro gave Williams-Bushell another chance to fire in another cross, the cross was blocked. It then came back out to Williams-Bushell who sent in a shot towards the goal. Smith and Solomon Ofori ran in the direction of the pass, as did Brown, and the Concord goalkeeper collided with both the City forwards but the assistant's flag spared the goalkeeper with offside the decision.

Just 3 minutes later, Castro and Ofori were in the thick of it again, with the cross being cleared behind. The corner was then defended by Charlie Panton and then fell to Alfie Mason, who skied his effort over the bar.

65 minutes gone and Concord could've doubled their lead. A pass up to Spooner allowed the no.4 to get in a cross which eventually led to Joe Gregory hitting the crossbar.

A few moments came for City to grab an equaliser but nothing came of either chance. Castro did well to win the ball in the middle of the park, but sent his shot woefully wide. Then Thompson engaged in a one two which allowed a run towards the box, Jamal Allen came in with a successful challenge to stop the danger. Thompson required treatment after the tackle and returned just a few seconds later.

In the 79^th minute, a Brown's clearance was given back to Kojo Apenteng to pass up to the far post, which missed both Ofori and the goal, the score remaining 1-0 to Concord Rangers.

With 10 minutes to go, Charley Barker, with help from Ofori, had a shot blocked, with Brown keeping out Apenteng's cross too.

With 5 minutes left to play, Thompson tried playing the ball forward, but Concord won the ball and ran down the other end to kill the game off. Sherquan Toussaint's pass to Harrison Day was well placed, but the shot was skied.

Khristopher Oti then received a pass from Day but shot straight at Philp. Ali Njie then took a shot from 30 yards which was wasted.

Up the other end, Day gave Oti another chance to kill off the match, and the striker twisted and turned to gain space for himself but Philp came in to deny the Concord man.

Right at the end, Apenteng sent in a cross for Ofori to connect with, Thompson eventually ended up with the ball at his feet and Brown tipped the ball around the post to preserve his team's lead. The following corner was hit over the bar when Warman snatched at his effort.

Concord then rode out the rest of the match to gain a 1-0 win that the visiting supporters were hoping for. City's long 13-game unbeaten run had finally come to end, with Concord's dogged defending keeping out the Lilywhites' attack.

City will look to bounce back from the loss when Grays Athletic come to town on the 17^th January.

Connor Taylor-Creek