Cambridge United picked up a fourth successive clean sheet as they were made to battle for a goalless draw against Sky Bet League Two opponents Barnet at a bumper Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Looking to build on the point picked up in the stalemate at Salford City a week earlier, Neil Harris named the solitary change to his XI as Mamadou Jobe made way for Ben Purrington, who slotted back into the full-back position.
With the storm cleared, there was the makings of a big-game atmosphere in the air at CB5. Mightily impressive on home soil, United’s nine wins in all competitions could not be bettered by anybody else in the 92. There was a right for optimism against a steady Barnet – back in the Football League for the first time since 2018 but adapting seamlessly, with eye-catching form on the road meaning the sides went into this tie level on 22 points.
Attacking towards the Newmarket Road End first on a gloomy afternoon, a real physical battle was evident in the opening minutes, with Kylian Kouassi getting into some tussles against a stern back three.
Clocking up some early opportunities, the Bees looked inventive when pouring forwards, particularly down the left as Adam Senior tested the palms of Jake Eastwood on the 7th minute before Idris Kanu, also from a similar position, cut inside and tested his luck with a curler just inside the area which required a low stop from the number one.
United’s best moment fell to James Brophy on the 28th minute when, in trademark fashion, the winger cut inside from the right and unleashed a left-footed shot with finesse, which was aimed for the top corner but narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
Overall, it continued to be a workmanlike performance for the hosts, who were yet to generate the chances to impose themselves but doing the basics right defensively.
Evidently the danger man in Dean Brennan’s was the silky Kanu, who looked to make something happen on 38 when his attempt from distance required Eastwood to perform a diving stop to his left to paw behind for a corner.
Now on top and enjoying sustained pressure, Barnet were causing a scare with their deliveries and abundance of runners, who were forcing the U’s to drop deep.
A quickfire set of chances almost resulted in the opener a few minutes shy of the break when a defence-splitting pass released Danny Collinge, who was closing in on goal but denied by a stern Eastwood. Play was recycled, allowing Lee Ndlovu the chance to shoot from close range, but it was crucially turned behind.
Coming out of the blocks on top following the 15 minutes of recuperation, Barnet continued to probe, with Adam Senior executing a powerful strike which was parried away by the alert Eastwood.
Cambridge were dealt a blow shortly after when Kouassi needed treatment following a collision with a defender. Unable to continue, he hobbled off and was replaced by Louis Appere.
On the 54th minute, Ndlovu did well to jink past his man and dart into the corner of the six-yard box, but he sliced his shot into the side netting. It was a period where the U’s were on the back foot, but momentum would soon switch in their favour.
With Adam Mayor now receiving the ball more frequently, he was able to ask questions as he concluded a rapid counter by forcing a great stop by Cieran Slicker at the near post, before becoming the supplier on 65 as his drilled cross was flicked at by Appere with his back to goal but caught by the opposing goalkeeper.
As the clock ticked down, United looked determined to turn a point into all three as they added attacking options in Elias Kachunga and Ben Knight to the field.
The spark continued as Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu drove into the final third and fed Mayor to his left – the resulting shot was deflected and Appere was there on the follow up, but it couldn’t be forced home.
Despite a flurry of late corners prior to injury time, a stalemate for the second weekend running was destined for the hosts, who had certainly improved after the break but couldn’t do enough to find a route to victory.
Attention now turns towards the U’s next fourth tier tussle next Saturday (22nd November) as they make the mammoth trek to the SO Legal Stadium to take on Barrow.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett, Morrison, Watts, Purrington, Smith, Mpanzu, Brophy (Knight, 74’), Kaikai (Kachunga, 74’), Mayor, Kouassi (Appere 50’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Jobe, Gibbons, Hoddle
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Mpanzu, Morrison
Barnet: Slicker, Collinge, Tavares, Senior, Glover (Osadebe, 79’), Ofoborh, Winterburn (Smith, 67’), Kanu, Stead, Shelton, Ndlovu (Hawkins, 79’)
Subs Not Used: Evans, Hartigan, Kensdale, Crichlow
Goalscorers:
Bookings:
Referee: Simon Mather
Attendance: 7572 (992 away fans)
