CAMBS INVITATION CUP FINAL Soham Town Rangers 0 Cambridge City 1 WITH two stretchered off and a trophy stolen away, Soham suffered a rough night at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday. Midfielders Scott Carter, then Matt Robinson were injured in the last 10 minu

CAMBS INVITATION CUP FINAL

Soham Town Rangers 0 Cambridge City 1

WITH two stretchered off and a trophy stolen away, Soham suffered a rough night at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday.

Midfielders Scott Carter, then Matt Robinson were injured in the last 10 minutes and taken away in an ambulance, with Rangers desperately striving for an equaliser after Michael Gash's 65th-minute header.

But holders Soham more than held their own against a side four divisions above them.

Boss Ian Benjamin said: "We played exceptionally well, if we can perform like that every week we would win the league."

City came out flying, and should have taken a 19th-minute lead when Gash, on loan from Cambridge United, broke free but fired over.

Town came back fighting with captain Michael Simpson driving play forward and left-back Scott Johnson sublime.

A delightful phase of play in the 32nd minute saw Simpson deliver a pinpoint 40-yard pass to Matt Robinson on the right wing, and supporting full-back Simon Flanz delivered a cross that caused panic in the City box.

Three minutes later a section of the crowd thought Soham had scored when Robinson's 30-yard drive skimmed the side netting.

Rangers bossed the first 10 minutes of the second half, and City couldn't cope with Simpson, fouling him every time he got on the ball. Carter drilled a resulting free-kick just wide and Simpson thundered a 30-yard drive over the bar moments later, before a superb last-ditch Paul Hill tackle denied Lee Roache at the other end.

Charles Libam missed Soham's best chance in the 60th minute when he raced on to a fine Simpson pass, but his shot deflected over.

And five minutes later, Gash scored a header at the back post.

City then dominated and Jordan pulled off three stunning full-stretch diving saves to keep his side in it.

Benjamin said: "Charles Libam caused them problems all night and the only time we switched off, they scored. But that's what happens against higher level opposition, and I their fitness told in the second half.

"The injuries are not as bad as initially seemed and the latest I've heard is that Matt has sprained knee and Scott has a badly bruised foot."

n Soham play Leiston away on Saturday.