City extend unbeaten run to 13

Cambridge City played hosts to Takeley for the final game of 2025, with the Lilywhites on  a 12 match unbeaten run, which also included clean sheets in their last 5 games at home. Takeley were at the other end of the table, the relegation candidates  were win-less in their last 5 matches away from home and, on Saturday 13^th December, they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Walthamstow.

It was Takeley who kicked-off, but it was City who had the first chance. Shaun Mavididi did well on the left to send in a cross, William Fletcher reacted smartly to save at the near post.

Another save from Fletcher came when Alfie Mason sent Jack Thompson through on goal from a throw. The save was insignificant eventually when Thompson was adjudged to have been offside.

With 16 minutes gone, a late challenge from Mavididi on Olly Miles gave referee Jack Tooth an option to book Mavididi. Lewis Wicker's forthcoming free-kick  did find Herbie Shaw, but the header fell kindly for Philp.

After 18 minutes, a innocuous ball from George Smith to Mavididi looked set to be shepherded out by Fletcher, but Mavididi's determination allowed him to win the ball back and set up Ryan King for the opening goal, an effort which was cleared off the line.

City were playing patiently, and Mavididi was proving to be a pain for the Takeley back-line. Mason's cross came straight back out, which allowed Codey Cosgrave to try his luck, but again the Takeley defence stood firm.

Jordan Wescott found a pass out to John Clarke, with a long pass being aimed at Miles, but Philp reacted quicker than the Takeley forward and gathered the ball.

As the clock ticked over to 35 minutes, a City corner was whipped in, and Jayden Randell leaped up in front of a diving Fletcher to head in City's opener, the Lilywhites' twelfth goal in a row at home without reply.

Two minutes later, and City almost doubled their lead when a long pass up to Mavididi allowed the winger to travel to the byline and fire in a cross, which Cosgrave connected with and sent over the bar.

Ali Njie then catapulted a pass up to new signing Aaron Williams-Bushell, and the cross got to Smith in the 18-yard area but Fletcher fell on the ball to disarm the attack.

City continued to dominate the match. A shot from 20 yards by Williams-Bushell was blocked en-route to goal. Then Mavididi combined with Mason to dispatch a cross for Smith to latch on to. Fletcher's comfortable saved kept the score at 1-0.

The first half was drawing to a close when Thompson gave Smith another chance to run through on goal, George Powell came in to make a goal-saving challenge.

Just before half-time, a play between Alex Warman and Thompson was switched up to Smith, who then gave back to the now free Warman who had his eye for goal but a goal-line clearance denied the hosts a second goal.

In injury time in the first half, Cosgrave sought out Thompson and the midfield maestro drilled a shot that crept just wide from 30 yards.

With the sun setting, the second half was played in the dying light. Ali Njie seemed comfortable at the back with the ball, but an untimely slip allowed Glenn O'Hanlon to take advantage and feed in Miles, who sent his strike just wide.

Takeley then had a spell of chances to find the equaliser. Charlie Allum gave to his teammate Wescott. O'Hanlon was on hand for Takeley to receive the ball, Njie then came in for the Lilywhites to disperse the situation. Then Allum and O'Hanlon found a path for Miles to shoot, Philp making an easy save.

With 72 minutes played, City had a golden opportunity to add to their lead. Thompson had given the ball out to Williams-Bushell, who then threaded a pass through to Quevin Castro and, after controlling the ball, was upended in the 18-yard box giving Jack Tooth no choice but to award a penalty. Castro had the ball in his hands but Smith was instructed to take the spotkick. The penalty was poor and Fletcher comfortably kept it out.

Just 2 minutes later and Takeley were level. A ball up to Jack Mitchell was sent wide for Zak Drake to cross back in for Mitchell to pounce on and give Takeley an unlikely equaliser. The substitute's goal was the first time City had conceded at home since the 11^th of October.

With 78 minutes gone, City were awarded a free-kick. Both Castro and Thompson were lined up to take and Castro's shot flew over the bar, although it brushed the Takeley wall before flying out. The resulting corner came out towards Sam Coombes, with the substitute's shot deflecting into the back of the net, giving City the lead again and Fletcher no chance to save it.

City went on to dominate the game from here until the end. A throw into the penalty area was flicked-on by Randell. Castro connected with the pass and a well timed save from Fletcher tipped the ball around the upright.

Not long after, a collision happened between Shaw and Charley Barker, with Tooth pointing to the spot for City's second penalty of the afternoon. Castro was not going to allow this penalty to pass him by, and he stepped up to clinically dispatch it and give City a commanding 3-1 lead.

With injury time in full swing, City thought a fourth goal was coming their way when Solomon Ofori sprinted onto a pass and sent in a cross. The assistant's flag had already been risen for offside before Castro tapped into the empty net.

The final chance for a fourth goal came when Ofori and Thompson linked up, which led to a back-heeled pass for Barker to pounce upon, who then sent the shot spinning wide.

City then rode out the clock to pick up another 3 points and gain their first win since their superb comeback win on the east coast vs Lowestoft Town. With this win, Mickey Spillane's team continued their impressive form, which has been stretched to 13 matches, with Maldon & Tiptree still the last team to beat the Lilywhites.

City will return to action next Saturday, 3^rd January, with Walthamstow being the Lilywhites' first opponents of 2026.

Connor Taylor-Creek