Cambridge United bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the Second Round stage as they were edged out 0-1 by Championship opponents Millwall at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Although the U’s improved as the encounter progressed, an early Jake Cooper strike following a rampant start from the visitors gave them the impetus to preserve their lead until the final whistle and book their place in the next round.
A familiar face and a third meeting in this competition between the sides in the past six years was in store on a warm summer evening, with United and Millwall – looking to go one better this season in their Premier League pursuit - picking up four and six points respectively during promising league starts.
Three days on from being held to a share of the spoils at fellow newcomers Bromley, Neil Harris freshened up his pack with five changes as Zak Bradshaw, Sullay Kaikai and Glenn McConnell returned to the starting XI, whilst Patrick Bauer made his debut and Gassan Ahadme overcame his injury to spearhead the attack.
An industrious start from the Lions saw them deal the first scare on the 7th minute when Raees Bangura-Williams floated to Lyndon Dykes down the left, who tested his luck with a speculative effort from 25 yards which beat Jake Eastwood but cracked the crossbar.
The early pressure paid off a few minutes later when, shortly after Daniel Kelly’s strike was deflected behind and Danny Batth rattled the woodwork, centre-back Cooper got on the end of a scramble to fire into the bottom corner to hand his side the ascendency.
On the 15th minute, Millwall showcased their aerial prowess when Jordi Osei-Tutu’s delivery from the half-way line was met by the head of Elkan Baggott who flicked wide of Eastwood’s right post, before in the next attack Bangura-Williams pulled the trigger from 25 yards, which was drilled low but into the arms of an assuring Eastwood.
Needing to bide their time against their higher level opponents, Harris’ side started to enjoy a bit more of the possession from here as they progressed forwards at a more frequent pace. Max Crocombe – who appeared at the World Cup with New Zealand – was first tested on 25 when Kaikai skimmed his man down the left and his attempted cross flew on target which the goalkeeper caught at the near post.
All in all, United’s application had been good. Behind going into the break but battling to find a way back with endeavour outside of the box, albeit without crafting that one golden chance to carve open Alex Neil’s tricky defence.
Ahead of the second half, Cambridge made a switch to their attacking line as Ahadme made way for Louis Appere, who was quick to be involved as he found Isaac Heath on the 49th minute, whose effort from distance was blazed high and wide.
Two minutes later, the winger was involved once again as he oozed class to beat his man, drive into the corner of the box and supply a low cross into the area where McConnell got a feint touch to it which ultimately was meat and drink for Crocombe.
Whilst their tails were up, the U’s were dealt a blow when Bauer was forced off with real discomfort – Callum Perry was on in his place as Bradshaw moved to the centre of defence. Shortly after, Shayne Lavery was handed minutes whereas Academy prospect Dan Herd received his first professional appearance in black and amber.
Very much still in the game, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu slipped in McConnell on 66 to get fans off their seats. With defenders tracking back to lunge in, he went for goal but got his angles wrong as it creeped wide of the post.
As the clock ticked down, the U’s engineered some neat moves in what had become a scrappy encounter. Lohan McDougald was brought on as the fourth official indicated six minutes of additional time to give the hosts hope.
In the dying embers, Perry fancied his chances with a free-kick from 25 yards out – it was dipped over the wall but not enough to beat Crocombe. Seconds later, McDougald was fouled on the edge of the penalty area – the golden chance was hit with pace and precision and could very well have been heading in if it wasn’t for a stern block.
Although they fought until the end, it was not quite enough for Cambridge as their Carabao Cup dream was over for another season.
Up next, the U’s are on home soil again on Saturday afternoon (29th August) as Huddersfield Town make the journey – it’s set to be another bumper crowd, so be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett, Bauer (Perry, 54’), Watts, Bradshaw, Ball (Herd, 63’), Mpanzu, Kaikai (Lavery, 63’), McConnell, Heath (McDougald, 88’), Ahadme (Appere, 46’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Briggs, Jobe
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Bauer, McConnell
Millwall: Crocombe, Osei-Tutu (Sykes, 62’), Batth (Sturge, 69’), Cooper, Baggott, Kelly (Metcalfe, 62’), Massey, Bangura-Williams (Matthews, 77’), Cundle, Dykes, Lovelace (Neghli, 63’)
Subs Not Used: Coleman, Kirby, Vieira, Parkes
Goalscorers: Cooper (10’)
Bookings:
Referee: Paul Howard
Attendance: 5,363 (1,433 away fans)
