Spillanes Warriors in fightback win

In a repeat of the first match of the season, Cambridge City travelled to Lowestoft Town hoping to add to their 8-game winning streak, and continue their run at the top of the form table.

The Lilywhites headed into the game having beaten bottom club Brantham Athletic, 2-0, last Saturday, whereas Lowestoft played on Tuesday night, the result was a 1-1 draw with high-flyers Maldon & Tiptree.

It took 6 minutes for the first chance. A throw from George Barber gave Rio Abodunde an option to send in a cross, a pass which flew over.

After City had approached the opposite end for the first time, Kyle Haylock sent in a throw that Harvey Peters got his head onto, but his flick-on only found the hands of James Philp.

It was then a succession of corners. The first one, taken by Jack Thompson, was clipped out by a blue shirt for a second corner. The next one came in, this time Sam Coombes from the opposite side, and was cleared out again, and Coombes' recycled cross was claimed by Ben Self.

The third corner that came produced the first goal. Lowestoft broke down the pitch after defending the last City corner, and they themselves won a corner of their own. The cross was sent to the 6-yard area, and Peters was on hand to head home the opener.

City looked to reply immediately, and a goal-kick allowed Jayden Randell and Alfie Mason to combine to find Shaun Mavididi. Codey Cosgrave received the ball and the incoming cross was deflected behind for another corner. Coombes took the corner, and when the ball came back to him, his cross was cleared again.

After 32 minutes Lowestoft came forward once more. Aaron Bullent won the ball from Thompson, and this allowed Sam Aldous to fire in a cross that Alfie Mason came in to block.

When a Haylock throw was cleared for a corner, the resulting set-piece led to a goal-mouth scramble, which was originally cleared off the line, and the ball eventually landed at Bullent's feet, and the striker fired over the bar after 35 minutes.

After George Smith had a penalty shout turned down, Lowestoft went down the other end to find a second goal. Abodunde took a Lowestoft free-kick which Philp tipped round the post. As the corner came in, Aldous was the first one to take a shot in anger, followed closely by Bullent, who's shot was slammed home to give the Trawlerboys a well deserved second goal.

The heavens opened just before the second half, and as the half started, when City started the second half looking for a comeback. Thompson was looking forward for a teammate, when he spied Mavididi making his way into the penalty area. As Mavididi claimed the ball, Self dived smartly at the near post to keep the clean sheet going.

With Lowestoft looking for a third, City applied pressure on the counter. Mavididi reached a clever flick-on, but his shot crept just over.

Randell reacted well to a head from a corner, which was just touched over by a defender. The next corner was sent in and Smith tried an overhead kick which sailed wide.

A Lowestoft corner came next, which was initially headed out by Randell. The clearance got to Haylock, with the effort rolling wide.

A George Barber throw was sent into the box soon after, Codey Cosgrave providing the clearance again. The ball came back out to Bullent, with Philp making another crucial save.

City then flew down the pitch on the counter, and an inch-perfect cross found Smith at the far post, who slid in to give City hope and reduce Lowestoft's lead to one.

Six minutes later and Lowestoft went back on the offensive. A free-kick was given when Cosgrave fouled Barber, the City man receiving a yellow card for his troubles. Benjamin Haddoch took the free-kick, Philp smothering the chance when he caught the ball on his third attempt.

With 76 minutes gone, a City throw led to a cross that Peters headed up into the air when trying to clear. Smith latched onto the loose ball but his shot found no one and Lowestoft survived again.

With 78 minutes gone, a long throw came into the penalty area, and, as Smith scrambled for the chance, his effort was saved, not once, but twice, by Self, the goalkeepers' determination clear to see for all.

With 83 minutes gone, Lowestoft had the perfect opportunity to put the game to bed. A long ball was aimed at Bullent, and, as he beat 2 players while dancing into the area, sent his shot agonisingly wide.

3 minutes later, and it was level. A long pass found Smith outside the 18-yard area. Substitute Quevin Castro was given the ball and what he did next was outstanding. As he received the ball, he looked up from 30 yards and took aim. Self was caught completely by surprise and the audacious strike flew into the back of the net for 2-2. A thoroughly entertaining finish was to follow.

A long throw then came in for City, and Self managed to spectacularly save from  Ali Njie's effort. Followed by a free-kick that Philp took, which missed everyone and landed into the gloves of Self.

With time running out, City pushed to complete the turnaround. As the ball went out wide, Njie aimed a cross into the area for a white shirt to pick up. It was a white shirt who connected with it, Solomon Ofori pouncing at the right time to  smash the ball into the net and give City the latest of leads.

The game finished soon after, with City dealing Lowestoft a late blow just as the hosts had done to City back in August.

City's win meant that the winning run continued, 8 wins on the bounce in all competitions, and 7 league wins which have raised the Lilywhites from relegation candidates to play-off hopefuls. City will look to carry on this amazing run when they visit Stanway Rovers on 6^th December.

Connor Taylor-Creek