Cambridge United earned another point towards their Sky Bet League Two tally as they remained valiant throughout a 0-0 draw against fellow promotion chasers Bromley at the Copperjax Community Stadium…
Although the U’s controlled proceedings throughout a front-footed first half, they couldn’t find the opener as the league leaders began to ask questions as the match progressed. Importantly, the visitors’ watertight defence held firm late on to ensure a point apiece as fate stays in their own hands going into the final three.
Five days on from the comprehensive thrashing against Notts County on home soil, Neil Harris opted with the one enforced change to his starting XI as Jack Walton – who arrived yesterday on a seven-day emergency loan – donned the gloves in the absence of the suspended Jake Eastwood.
On a potentially defining night in the promotion race, the Sky Sports cameras were in town for the battle between two sides with the title very much still at stake heading into the final furlong. Table-topping Bromley had consistently churned out the points, helped by their remarkable unbeaten home run, knowing that a win would be enough to seal an awe-inspiring promotion, whereas the U’s were purring – heading into the matchup with one defeat from 13 and eager to extend the one-point advantage from 4th.
Packed to the rafters, every fan in the sold-out Hayes Lane looked up for the battle, with United determined to start brightly as they attacked from the first whistle, resulting in a Dominic Ball delivery floating to Shayne Lavery inside the box, who got the connection but not the accuracy as the shot trickled into the air and bounced wide of Grant Smith’s right post.
With 11 minutes on the clock, the confident U’s should have drawn first blood courtesy of a glorious counter attack. Lavery dropped into the pocket to pass back to Sullay Kaikai, whose over-the-top ball found Ben Knight in acres of space who marauded towards goal in a one-on-one position – the first touch was crisp, but the dinked attempt just shaved the post.
The aggressive start continued. The next opportunity, a matter of seconds later, was worked through the overlap on the right as Liam Bennett drove into the box and picked out Ball inside the six-yard box, but the midfielder needed better contact as his fizzed shot creeped past the same top.
Another front-footed move on 19 saw the selfless Lavery drop deep and link up with Knight, who utilised his speed on the dribble to roam into the final third and pull the trigger from outside of the box, but a slight deflection took away some venom as Smith caught it.
Andy Woodman’s side caused their first scare five minutes later when creative spark Mitch Pinnock’s exquisite left-footed delivery found the imperious Omar Sowunmi, whose header was planted into the ground and bounced a matter of inches over the crossbar – it was a sign of the Ravens’ quality in the air.
On the half hour mark, the crossbar was rattled when Adam Mayor’s pinpoint delivery was matched by Lavery from five yards out, who rose so well but could only arrow his header against the woodwork as the hosts survived.
Cambridge had their backs against the wall for a brief spell prior to the break, with Bromley starting to find comfort in possession, but ultimately they were yet to be breached as the match remained goalless to conclude a half where the U’s would feel disappointed not to have capitalised.
Two minutes into the second period, the home side looked to come out of the blocks firing as a well-worked move saw Nicke Kabamba feed Jude Arthurs in the penalty box, whose fierce strike looked to be heading for the corner but was denied by James Gibbons, who did so well to read it and get a block in.
The U’s were forced into their first substitution of the evening on 50 when Lavery went down with discomfort – to prevent further damage he was taken off and switched with Louis Appere.
It was all about game management from here as the chances dried up. Whilst Cambridge couldn’t yet carry that similar attacking threat which they showcased before; they remained just as physically imposing as Bromley to match Woodman’s men in all areas.
On the 63rd minute, Kell Watts advanced the ball to Kaikai, whose clever flick released Knight down the left-hand side, but the angled attempt was punched behind by an alert Smith.
Straight up the other end, the visitors needed to weather the storm as a goalmouth scramble saw Walton deny Ben Thompson at point blank range, before the ball was recycled to Arthurs – who aimed for the low corner but a vital block from Mamadou Jobe nicked it out of sight.
Despite being threatened at a more regular pace, the U’s were not shying away from the challenge as they remained firm. In order to gain more control with over 20 minutes to go, the Head Coach made a double switch as Korey Smith and James Brophy were introduced.
This switch almost came into fruition on 78 when strong wing-play saw Brophy dance into the box and supply a great ball to an unmarked Watts inside the six-yard box, who picked out a firm close-range header but Smith done well to paw the danger over the crossbar.
With the clock ticking down, Bromley strived to find a late winner to surely confirm their place in the third tier for next season as Pinnock’s 88th minute free-kick was begging for a touch as it evaded Arthurs and Kabamba, but as six minutes of injury time was indicated a stalemate seemed likely.
Deep into the night, Watts’ cross to centre-back partner Jobe was enticing, but the header crashed against the roof of the net. Up the other end, there was a frantic finish as Sowunmi’s and Corey Whitely’s attempts required brave last-ditch defending, as United defended their box impeccably to pick up a point – which was the least they deserved as they went two points clear inside the automatic promotion spots with three crunch games to go.
Up next, the U’s return home for the penultimate match of the season at the Cledara Abbey on Tuesday evening (21 April) when Grimsby Town make the journey.
Bromley: Smith, Sowunmi, Webster, Medley, Ifill, Charles, Arthurs (Ajayi, 90+3’), Pinnock, Krauhaus (Hondermarck, 83’), Thompson (Whitely, 83’), Kabamba
Subs Not Used: Long, Cameron, Odutayo, Evans
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Sowunmi
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Jobe, Watts, Gibbons, Bennett (Morrison, 90+3’), Ball, Mpanzu, Mayor (Brophy, 72’), Knight (Nevitt, 90+3’), Kaikai (Smith, 72’), Lavery (Appere, 50’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Purrington
