23/10/24: Kestrels 1-0 UEA IV

Kestrels v East Anglia

MotM: A. McDonald/B. Lakämper

DotD: Aidan O’Donnell

A historic day saw the first ever BUCS match of the Kestrels as Abhi Sundaram‘s selection of the newest talent of Cambridge trotted out onto the pitch under the leadership of Alex McDonald and his newly appointed vice Charlie Monkman.

As soon as the shock about the narrow strip of Norfolk hills and valleys called “pitch“ had settled, the Kestrels found a good start into the game and imposed their style of football on the opposition, leading to Teni Oluranti-Ahmed assisting Felix Kind for a well-deserved strike to the back of UEA’s net 10 minutes in. However, Cambridge struggled to capitalise further of their technical and tactical superiority, with many stupendous plays of the midfield duo John Carr and Cameron Kerr oozing away before a serious danger could be created. Nevertheless, the defence around Tobias Doye, subbed on after Ethan Philipson’s early injury, saw to it that Easy Anglia was equally ineffective.

This changed in the second half, as a fatigued Cambridge came under increasing pressure in their own half. While McDonald’s courageous last-man challenges prevented worse from happening, the Kestrels rarely found relief through Tovi Wen, who worked tirelessly on the wing. Sundaram reacted by bringing on Aiden O’Donell for more stability, who, to his own greatest surprise, soon found himself alone in front of the opposition’s keeper after a counterattack but frustratingly failed to score. On the other side, the attacks came closer and closer, but Brian Bo Lakämper was able to their most dangerous effort around the post.

Thus the Kestrels brought a hard-fought win over the line with a great defensive performance and look forward to showing more of their attacking potential in the future.

Goal: Felix Kind

Assist: Teni Oluranti-Ahmed

✍️ Brian Bo Lakämper