Going into the game on the back of three home wins on the bounce, VCD Athletic turned in a disappointing display losing 2-0 at home to Soham Town Rangers, who had previously lost their last three trips on the road, dealing the hosts a blow to their aspirations of winning the Ryman First Division North title.

The opening exchanges saw the visitors employ their game-plan well to pressurise and unsettle the home side not allowing their hosts time on the ball however in the tenth minute VCD’s Michael Power had a good penalty claim turned down. Turning the aptly named Nick Wilderspin in the box, the striker looked to be manhandled and obstructed from a clear chance on goal but referee Saliy waved away the home sides claims.

Shortly after, Soham’s Buster Harradine fouled Karl Dent on the edge of the penalty area inside the semi circle. Too close for a curling effort, Nick Reeves elected for sheer pace, striking low through the wall only to find ‘keeper Enol Ordonez equal to it getting good hands to it to push it wide and away from danger.

Just before the half hour mark Power showed his strength, holding the ball up well on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area. Laying it off to the onrushing Lea Dawson, his low curling effort was turned wide by Ordonez. From the resulting corner Ordonez had a rush of blood coming way off his line dropping a high ball but in the ensuing melee the home side were unable to capitalise.

On 36mins the visitors’ Ben Sawyer, unchallenged 20yds from goal, saw his strike safely watched over by VCD ‘keeper Nick Blue.

Shortly afterwards VCD’s Lee Craig’s curling in-swinging cross on the left almost found Alfie May ghosting in at the back post but for a crucial interception by Soham’s Chris Lindsay – The resulting corner failing to trouble the visitors.

Seven minutes into the second half Power dispossessed Wilderspin inside the right side of the penalty area but rather than electing to shoot at goal Power back-heeled the ball but no-one was there to capitalise on the opening.

Ten minutes into the second half the hosts’ James Duckworth missed a glorious opportunity from the left corner of the 6yd box – After good work by Power on the right edge of visitors’ penalty area – But Duckworth could only see his left footed effort curl wide of Ordonez’s left hand post.

Soon after Dent and Power worked well just outside the visitors’ box only for Power to see his low strike deflected wide.

The visitors then took an unexpected lead just before the hour mark. Sawyer, whose pace was proving to be more of a menace to the VCD back line as the game wore on, broke away towards goal. VCD cleared the danger momentarily but the ball then fell to the feet of former Cambridge United Player Antonio Murray to the left corner of the penalty area. Murray cut inside along the edge of the box striking low into Blue’s left hand corner, leaving the ‘keeper as a spectator as he could only watch as the ball hit the back of the net.

With twenty minutes to go Wilderspin’s towering header from Murray’s in-swinging free kick on the left side of the penalty area looped harmlessly over the bar, settling on top of the roof of Blue’s goal.

The visitors began to dominate, taking advantage of the gaps VCD were leaving in search of an equaliser. On one such occasion with ten minutes to go Luke Stanley was unable to find Murray in acres of space on the left side of the penalty area, instead playing the ball too close to ‘keeper Blue.

With just under five minutes remaining the visitors doubled their lead punishing their hosts for the space they were being awarded. Stanley picked up a loose ball on halfway and ran towards goal unchallenged. Shooting from 25yds out, Stanley’s shot beat the despairing dive of Blue, settling into the left corner of goal.

Upon hearing the final whistle news came through of two late goals for fellow title chasers Witham Town helping them turn around a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1 at home to Aveley – Although VCD remain top of the table, their lead is now only two points with Witham having played two games less.

 

VCD Athletic: Blue, Williams, Craig (Nesbitt, 81), Reeves, Payne ©, Thurgood (Powell, 86), Dawson, Dent, Power, Duckworth, May (Rabiu, 60)

Subs Not Used: Smith, Manners

Soham Town Rangers: Ordonez, Davis, Lindsay (Wood, 88), Bromwich, Gent, Wilderspin, Sharman, Murray, Harradine (Asensi, 90), Stanley ©, Sawyer

Subs Not Used: McCabe, Abbs

Goals: Murray 59, Stanley 86

Referee: Mr O Saliy

Assistants: Mr F Collins, Mr E Walker

Att; 101