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Students deserve praise for their efforts
Despite living in the area for over twenty years this was my first ever visit to the Fenners Sports Ground. The well appointed set-up, more readily associated with cricket, plays host to several CUAFC matches in the Michaelmas Term (or the Autumn Term as we call it) which traditionally spans from October to December. The oval-shaped site has an impressive pavilion along one side; a lavish cricket square in the centre and the main football pitch next to this. A large barrel-roofed sports centre with indoor cricket facilities forms an imposing backdrop behind the furthest goal. To the left are two cricket scoreboards; an old fashioned manually operated one still displaying some haphazardly arranged numbers has made way for the more modern electronic version. Several rows of shallow wooden seats surround the perimeter and give an idea of the boundary line.
The match was an absolute cracker and a credit to both student sides. In fact it has been a while since I have seen such commitment, work-rate and skill lasting for a full ninety minutes. For the record it was the light blues who took the lead in the first minute (I am reliably informed by another hopper in attendance that the ball crossed the goal line after only twenty seconds). This rocked the visitors who sustained much pressure for the rest of the half. There was more drama though as the lads from Birmingham came back to win with three tremendous strikes. It was scintillating stuff. Equally impressive was the sporting attitude shown by both student teams.
Although a programme wasn't issued, refreshments were available from the pavilion at half-time. Hot drinks and snacks were sold from a tea bar on the first floor. This was most welcome as the watery sun lost its heat and a biting cross wind took hold. Indeed some spectators decided to watch the game from this vantage point rather than go back outside into the cold. No charge was made for the game which attracted only a handful of 'hoppers.
Fenners Sports Ground is based in the centre of Cambridge with the main railway station less than ten minutes walk away. The main entrance is found just off Mill Road near both the Parkside Swimming Pool and the local nick. A word of warning to drivers though - parking is severely limited with most spaces devoted to permit holders; the risk for ignoring this is a hefty parking ticket and the likelihood of being wheel-clamped! We decided to push our luck, drive through the neighbouring Hughes Hall and squeeze the car pitch-side. Local multi-storey carparking offers an alternative but it is expensive.
For travellers interested in attending a CUAFC game this season below is a provisional list of remaining fixtures:
at Fenners: Tues 19 Nov v Army FA U21 (2.00pm) and Mon 5 Dec v Northampton Univ (BUSA) (2.00pm).
at Grange Road: Tues 24 Jan v Arthurian League (7pm); Tues 31 Jan v AFA (2.30pm); Sat 18 Feb v Honourable Artillery Company (2.00pm); Sun 26 Feb v Territorial Army FA (11.30am); Tues 28 Feb v LLoyds FC (2.30pm) and Mon 1 May v Football Assoc XI (k.o TBA).
FGIF Rating 4* | 