Cambridge United suffered a fourth straight defeat away at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, as the promotion-chasing Whites scored a goal in either half to secure a 2-0 win…
After building up pressure throughout the first half, George Thomason struck the opener for the home side on 35 minutes with a well-taken strike from the edge of the box.
A strong start to the second half for United could have seen the game swing in a different direction, but Bolton showed their quality with their second, as Maghoma slipped in Collins for the striker to score his first goal for the Club.
The result leaves United four points above the dotted line with 11 games to go, as the expectation is for a new Head Coach to enter the building next week ahead of Saturday’s game against Northampton.
Barry Corr made four changes to the side in what was likely his final game in interim charge, as Elias Kachunga was restored to the starting XI to face his former team, whilst James Brophy, Liam Bennett and George Thomas were also brought in.
Eager to bounce back from two straight defeats within the last week, the home side looked to get off to a fast start and came the width of the woodwork away from doing just that on 7 minutes. Dacres-Cogley firing onto the crossbar from point-blank range after a smart Bolton move cut open the United defence.
United responded immediately and could have equalised just two minutes later, when Lankester sprung the U’s on a quick counter attack up the pitch, which lead to Kaikai’s strike on goal being well deflected and out for a corner.
With 15 minutes on the clock, a cross-field pass into the path of the on-rushing Dacres-Cogley found the wing-back with the ball at his feet on the right-hand-side of the box, but his powerful effort towards the bottom corner was well kept out by Stevens.
Although Bolton had the quality to work some really clear openings during the first half, often due to their quick movement and incisive passing into and around the penalty area, their quality in-front of goal let them down as they allowed United to stay in the contest.
That was until 10 minutes to go in the half, as a smart turn and shot from Thomason from the edge of the box was arrowed in to give the home side the lead.
Whilst the U’s had some promising moments, the lack of killer instinct continued to let the team down, as half-chances were snuffed out and opportunities were wasted.
In truth, Bolton could and possibly, should, have extended their lead before the break, particularly when Ogbeta slalomed through the defence before Liam Bennett threw his body in the way to make a crucial goal-saving block.
The second half started promisingly for United, who looked to press Bolton high up the pitch and force a mistake from within their own half. They did this with good success, and should have equalised on 58 minutes as the U’s broke with Lankester, who played it down the line for the overlapping Digby, and his pass back across the box found Brophy, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Immediately after, Adeboyejo showed his strength as he muscled off the challenge of Liam Bennett – who was having an excellent game – before springing Stevens back into the action, with a strong left hand away to keep the Whites advantage at just one.
With 66 minutes played, Bolton doubled their lead after a clever pass by Maghoma found the run of Collins, who lofted over Stevens and into the goal.
The U’s tried to mount an unlikely comeback in the remaining minutes, but Bolton were able to protect their lead with little fuss as United go into the new week hopeful of a new Head Coach to lead the team over the remaining 11 games of the season.
