​The Light Blues were certainly the favourites going into this year’s highly anticipated Varsity clash having won the last two years’ matches by significant margins. This confidence was evident in the opening ten minutes: Cambridge played a high press, harrying the Oxford defence and producing some early chances. Cambridge support was out in full – chants of ‘GDBO’ could be heard from kick-off, and perhaps played a role in Oxford’s nervy, scrappy start.

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By the ten-minute mark, however, Oxford seemed to have shaken off their early nerves and began to grow into the game. Both teams looked to dominate the midfield and cover themselves defensively – Cambridge’s Johanna Niggemann played an excellent holding role, sweeping up loose balls and protecting the back four. 

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An injury for Cambridge forced an early substitution: Lara Branston came on to replace Lily Wobschall. This rattled the Cambridge team and offered the Dark Blues their first meaningful attempt on goal – a looping attempt from outside of the box that ultimately proved easy for ‘keeper Alisa Kinaret to deal with. 

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A period of sustained Cambridge pressure saw number 9, Alissa Sattentau, continuously driving the ball into the Oxford box. However, Cambridge needed to be more clinical and failed to turn these chances into goals.

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In the 33rd minute, the ball found an unmarked Dark Blue winger at the far post, who took a touch and slotted it across the goal into the bottom left corner. There was not much that Kinaret could do. 1-0, Oxford. 

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The Light Blues instantly attempted a response: Branston pounced on a ball that Iona Ffrench Adam had spilt after being taken out by an earlier Sattentau shot on goal. Despite a period of chaos in the box, which looked like it might end in an equaliser, the Oxford defence eventually cleared their lines and avoided conceding. 

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Oxford looked to protect their lead by flooding players behind the ball at every opportunity. The sheer number of defensive players proved highly effective at preventing Cambridge attacks.

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The second-half began with an early equaliser for Cambridge. An attempted cross on the left-hand-side from Branston floated into the top right corner, was misjudged by the Oxford goalie and sailed over her head. The Cambridge supporters were sparked into life by this, as were the players who instantly began to search for a second. 

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The Light Blues were quickly rewarded. The Cambridge wingers did an excellent job of stretching the Oxford defence which had previously been able to shut down most of Cambridge’s attacking runs. The ball fell to Sakina Dhirani who was able to take her time and slot it across the goal into the top right corner. A clinical finish from one of Cambridge’s best players. 2-1.

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Oxford had some bright spots in searching for an equaliser, particularly on the left-hand-side. However, Cambridge proved effective at shutting down all Dark Blue attacks. The Light Blues dominated possession, not allowing Oxford to string more than three passes together.

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In the 80th minute, Sattentau appeared to complete the victory for Cambridge. Often Cambridge’s best player and a handful for the Oxford defenders, she capitalised on a spilt ball by the Oxford ‘keeper and slotted the ball into an empty net. 3-1.

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The game was not over, however. In the 82nd minute, Oxford threatened what had appeared to be an unassailable lead. Number 20, seemingly from nothing, scored a goal reminiscent of Cole Palmer’s in the Euros final: a left-footed shot off a loose ball from the edge of the box sailed past the Cambridge goalie into the bottom-left-hand corner. 

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Oxford seemed to find a new lease of life after this and threw everything they had at Cambridge. It was a nervy final few minutes for the Cambridge fans and players as Oxford continuously pressed the ball deep into the Cambridge half. Nonetheless, the Light Blues were able to deal with the sustained attack from Oxford until the final whistle blew. 3-2 Cambridge, and a third successive Varsity win for the Light Blues. 

 

READ MORE: Cambridge University Men’s I vs Oxford University Men’s I