Report by Jools Thomas

The team were outthought and indeed outfought by a visiting team with more grit, determination and a greater will to win.

The first two minutes of the contest were the most exciting of the game. A simple ball into the FC box caused widespread panic amongst the defence and with no one willing to take responsibility to hoof it clear, City captain Ian Miller had just to bundle the ball home from a matter of yards. The Moles responded instantly however. Almost from the restart, Ty Deacon hit a powerful shot which away keeper Niall Conroy could only palm into the path of Jeanmal Prosper who gleefully tapped the ball away for the equaliser.

After the frenetic opening, the game settled down to a degree. Cambridge’s Lewis Wilson could have done better when, after seven minutes, he could only side foot a shot over the bar and ten minutes later, the energetic Prosper hit a long range cracker that sailed inches over the bar. A flicked header by Wilson was again off target before FC suffered a blow as midfield general Kieron Schmidt left the field to be replaced by Ryan Marsden. Tom Knowles enjoyed the liberty of a Schmidt free midfield to hit a low strike whilst the final event of the first half was another enforced reshuffle as an injured Derek Feyi left the field to be replaced by Ben Stevens.

On 50 minutes Kerran Lataille delivered a classy sweeping cross which no one reacted to and this was followed by a smart move when Prosper fed Lataille with the midfielder pushing keeper Miller into making a low save. On the hour Ben Stevens flicked shot from a low corner was deflected just wide

This bright start to the half soon faded as the visitors stepped up their game. On too many occasions, they were first to the loose ball and at every opportunity pressed FC into making mistakes. This harrying led to the winner. Deep in the FC Half, Jordan Jenkins slipped in possession and quick as a dart, Thomas Knowles sneaked in to guide his shot past the outstretched fingertips of James Weatherill.

Prosper’s cross shot on 67 minutes was a half chance and the midfielder outlined his man of the match performance with a quality cross into the box which Deacon just failed to connect with. The energetic Harry Scott came on as substitute and brought an impetus to the attack and perhaps was unlucky with a couple of attempts that hit outstretched defenders’ legs.

The last ten minutes of the game could have seen the away team extend their lead. Josh Lowe fired in a presentable shot that stung the fingertips of Weatherill before Miller had his header cleared from the line by some desperate FC defending. The very last incident of the game saw Craig Carby needlessly foul his man and FC’s disappointing evening was completed as the full back received a red card.