University of Nottingham Push Cambridge United All the Way in Historic FA Cup Clash

Photography by shot_by_heidi

It’s not every day you see a university side lining up in the first-round proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, but Sunday 26th October will go down as a landmark moment in the history of the University of Nottingham Women’s Football Club.

Having battled through three qualifying rounds, with successive 10-1, 9-1 and 4-3 victories to Boston Town Ladies FC, Belper Town Ladies FC and Brunsmeer Athletic Women respectively, Nottingham became the only university side, men’s or women’s, to reach this stage of this season’s FA Cup. It also marked the university’s first-ever appearance in the competition, and to reach this fair is undoubtedly already a remarkable achievement in itself.

And while the Green and Gold ultimately fell to a narrow 2–1 defeat against Cambridge United Women, currently fifth in the FA Women’s National League Division One South East, they more than proved they belong on the national stage.

Cambridge, a well-established fourth-tier side, came into the tie having lost their previous two league games, while Nottingham arrived full of confidence at the top of the BUCS Premier Division, the highest level of university football in the country.

Vice-captain Thea Clearkin admitted they knew they were underdogs but said the team was “ready and determined to show what we can do.”

The opening half hour was finely poised, with both sides probing cautiously but it was Cambridge who eventually found the breakthrough in the 32nd minute when centre-back Abbie Jackson powered home a header from a corner. Nottingham responded well, using the pace of wingers Emily Nedom and Amelia Penfold to stretch the visitors and win a series of corners, but they went into the break trailing 1–0.

The university side made the perfect start to the second half. A pinpoint corner in the 47th minute from Nedom found fellow American Auburn Burnett who nodded home, Nottingham’s first-ever goal in a proper round of the Women’s FA Cup, a moment of genuine history for the programme.

With momentum swinging their way, Nottingham pushed for a second, but Cambridge’s experience ultimately told. Jackson struck again in the 67th minute, converting from Zoe Wood’s free kick to restore United’s lead. Despite a spirited late effort from the hosts, Cambridge held firm to book their place in the next round.

Head coach Jake Poole spoke prior to describing how much of a brilliant opportunity the FA cup has been to showcase the quality within the university game on a national stage. To reach this round, to score, and to push a Tier 4 side all the way, is something that all the players and staff involved within the club’s programme should be incredibly proud of.

As Nottingham coach Joe Marshall added after the game, “It was amazing to really put a team to the sword”, putting the university game firmly in the spotlight.

It may have ended in defeat, but for the University of Nottingham, this was a performance and a day, that will live long in memory.

For Cambridge United, meanwhile, the result marks an important step forward as they look to build consistency and confidence heading into the next phase of their league campaign. With Jackson in commanding form and Wood providing quality from set pieces, United showed the composure and professionalism of an experienced fourth-tier side, qualities that could serve them well as they aim for a strong finish in Division One South East and look to go a couple steps further than they have previously done in the competition.