Cambridgeshire Senior B: Cottenham United 1-3 Hartford Rangers

13th December 2025

Cottenham United vs Hartford Rangers @ King George V Playing Field - Cottenham

Cambridgeshire County League Senior B Division (Step 8)

14:00 KO

Free entry

Attendance – approx. 30

Half-time score: Cottenham United 0-2 Hartford Rangers

Goals:

Hartford Rangers: No.11 – 26’

Hartford Rangers: No.17 - 31', 52'

Cottenham United: No.11 - 54'

Final Score: Cottenham United 1-3 Hartford Rangers

With arrangements made for me to be in Ely, football looked off the cards, but I checked the local games and saw a game at Witchford 96 that I decided to drop into. When getting there it was clear that the game was off, not sure why, but either way I had 30mins to find a new venue, where I saw a game was on at Cottenham United in the division below. So, I made a quick exit and down through the uncomfortable undulating roads through the fens to Cottenham, a very picturesque Cambridgeshire village, with lots of thatched properties and a very unique looking church. The football venue was a lot more modern, a complex of new buildings including a large village hall and the sports centre. What's more, it was a pleasant sunny afternoon, the sun hanging low in the sky for the majority of the game. The game saw a mid-table Cottenham United wearing red and black stripes take on visitors Hartford Rangers, in yellow kits, who are nearer the summit of the Senior B table. It was great to see some flags out for Cottenham United, I do love a good flag.

KEY MOMENTS

CU = Cottenham United

HA = Hartford Rangers

24’ – HA - A corner whipped in by the Hartford captain is well-struck and curling directly into the net, forcing the Cottenham keeper to leap and scoop the ball over the bar.

26' - HA - GOAL (0-1) - Hartford bag the first goal, the No.8 finds the Hartford captain, No.11, in the middle and in acres of space, he takes the ball forwards, picks his spot and drives the ball into the next from 25yrds out, a brilliant strike and goal from the captain leading by example.

31' - HA - GOAL (0-2) - Hartford quickly double their lead, a long ball releases the No.15 down the middle, he runs to the edge of the box and slips the No.17 in, his first effort is stopped but he gets a second bite and digs the ball over the line from close range. Strong shout for offside in this goal, the No.15 looked off, however, moments earlier No.17 was through on goal and pulled back for offside when he looked on, so things evened themselves out.

44' - HA - PENALTY - Another ball over the top releases the pacey No.17, the Cottenham keeper comes to meet the ball and gets something on it, but it spins out to the No.10 who just has to fire into the open net, but he tries to be a bit cocky to run the ball over the line where a firm tackle sees him dispossessed. The chance looks wasted but the referee points to the spot and awards the tackler a yellow card. The No.15 steps up and fires his penalty firmly to the right but it is the perfect height for the keeper who pulls off a fine diving save to deny Hartford their 3rd.

52' - HA - GOAL (0-3) - Early into the second half and Hartford start where they left off in the 1st half, the long ball to the No.17 the outlet again. He is through on goal and bearing down the goal at pace, the keeper comes to the edge of his box but a shimmy from the attacker sees him round the final man and slot the ball into the open net.

54' - CU - GOAL (1-3) - Cottenham with a deserved goal, a mis-hit sliced ball spins through the middle of the park, the Cottenham No.11 is able to latch onto the end of it and a deft finish sees him loft the ball over the keeper and into the net, game on?

63' - CU - Cottenham attack down the left channel, the substitute No.19 squares the ball back to the No.9 whose first time side-footed effort is struck cleanly, but down the throat of the Hartford keeper, unlucky, was a nice move from the home team.

64' - HA - That ball over the top again, and the No.17 beating the offside once more to be through on-goal, but the Cottenham keeper sensing the danger is out like a flash and gets a foot on the ball to direct the shot just wide of the post for a corner.

71' - HA - Hartford with a free-kick 30yrds out on the left side of the pitch, The No.7 steps up and it looked like he was going to curl it into the far-post, but to the surprise of everyone he goes for goal, his effort zipping just wide of the near-post.

77' - HA - Counter-attack from the visitors, the No.7 slips the No.17 through, but yet another fine save from the Cottenham keeper denies him, the ball ricochets out to the No.11 whose effort is also saved, it then drops to the No.12 who blazes over, the ball flying out and into the car-park. The Cottenham goal living a charmed life for that 10 seconds of play!

83' - HA - SIN BIN - Hartford's double scorer, the No.17, receives a yellow card for dissent. Was a bit petty if honest, the referee had made a host of bizarre decisions throughout the game, for both teams, and a wild shot was powered over the bar and the No.17 jokingly shouts 'corner!'. I thought it was funny but the referee did not and the No.17 was off for the remainder of the game.

94' - HA - Despite being down to 10-men Hartford carve out a chance at the death, the captain is in, but he prods his effort wide of the far-post.

An enjoyable afternoon in the Cambridgeshire sun, Hartford Rangers with a deserved win against hosts Cottenham United. Cottenham were full of fight and effort, but Hartford had that touch-of-class upfront, with tall and pacey runners in the No.17, No.10 and No.15, with strong playmakers hitting some decent balls in their captain (No.11) and the No.7. Ultimately it proved too much and Hartford should have really won by a few more. A nice little set-up at Cottenham United, and it was great to see the team not give-up, the 2nd half performance was much better than the first, and had they bagged their 2nd it would have been a tense ending to the game, the young No.19 impressing me in particular. I wish both teams every success with the rest of their seasons, and hope to see more Cambridgeshire County League football later this season, always enjoy a bit of grassroots village footie!

Line-Ups (will update once teams posted on FA Full-Time website):

COTTENHAM UNITED: TBA

HARTFORD RANGERS: TBA